Florida Republican Rep. Vern Buchanan met with Florida fruit and vegetable growers to reaffirm his efforts to protect them against what he described as unfair trade practices by Mexico.
The meeting and press conference March 19 came in the wake of legislation Buchanan introduced in Congress to protect Florida growers, according to a news release.
The release states that over the past five to ten years, the Mexican government has subsidized growers, resulting in an uneven playing field that has cost Florida between $1 billion to $3 billion annually.
“Today’s visit showed that Florida growers continue to be harmed by Mexico’s unfair trade practices,” Buchanan in the release. “I will continue to push for my bill to provide Florida farmers with the necessary tools to make the case that Mexico is selling produce at unfairly low prices and urge Congress and the Trump administration to protect them in future trade negotiations.”
Florida Strawberry Growers Association executive director Kenneth Parker thanked Buchanan for championing the cause of Florida growers, and Florida Farm Bureau president John Hoblick also expressed appreciation.
“Rep. Buchanan’s Defending Domestic Produce Production Act equips our seasonal and perishable industry with a workable mechanism to address unfair trade practices,” Hoblick said in the release. “A solution is long overdue, and it’s time we stand up for free and fair trade for our Florida farmers. We commend the Congressman for his leadership, and look forward to working with the state delegation to encourage support.”
