Lawmakers re-introduce bill to combat unfair trade practices harming Florida fruit and vegetable producers

Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rick Scott, R-Fla., along with Reps. Vern Buchanan, R-Fla., and Al Lawson, D-Fla., re-introduced legislation to help Florida fruit and vegetable growers combat unfair trade practices “by countries like Mexico,” according to a news release.

Specifically, the release said the Defending Domestic Produce Production Act would ensure that U.S. trade law is applicable to seasonal fruit and vegetable growers to petition the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission in order to secure relief from unfair trade practices.  

“We must ensure the viability of Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers, who for years have struggled to compete with dumped and unfairly priced Mexican imports,” Rubio said in the release. “I firmly believe that food security is national security, and that to ensure our nation’s food security we must defend our food producers from malicious trade practices that are intended to undermine our self-reliance.”

The legislation, previously introduced in the 115th and 116th Congresses, has earned the co-sponsorship of Florida’s entire bipartisan congressional delegation, as well as members of Congress from Georgia and Michigan, and is supported by agricultural organizations including the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Florida Blueberry Growers Association, Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Georgia Farm Bureau, Michigan Farm Bureau, and South Carolina Farm Bureau.

In a statement, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried applauded the bill’s reintroduction.

“Seasonal produce growers in Florida and around the nation have for too long dealt with unfair trade practices that threaten their businesses, their families’ futures, and our country’s domestic food supply,” Fried said in the statement. “These growers have long needed meaningful solutions that will help them compete on a level playing field.”

Current law requires petitioners to demonstrate harm as measured from a nationwide and year-round perspective, which by definition precludes the recognition of regional and seasonal fruit and vegetable industries, Rubio said in the release.

The Defending Domestic Produce Production Act would fix this oversight in U.S. trade law and acknowledge the unique circumstances of seasonal fruit and vegetable producers, Rubio said in the release.

“Illegal seasonal dumping and unfair Mexican trade practices are crippling Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers,” Buchanan said in the release. “It’s time to level the playing field and protect hardworking Florida farmers. Our bill would do just that.”