U.S. senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson have introduced legislation that would give Florida fruit and vegetable growers recourse in the event of seasonal dumping by Mexican growers.
Florida industry members had hoped that the new North American Free Trade Agreement would include a provision to that effect, but it did not.
“Too many growers in Florida have been crippled by Mexican trade abuses,” Nelson said in a news release. “If the administration won’t fix this, Congress will.”
Producers have major concerns about being able to compete with Mexican product given the much lower costs of labor there and the government assistance for growers.
“We must do all we can to ensure a level playing field for Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers,” Rubio said in the release. “Absent a memorandum of understanding or suspension agreements with the Mexican government covering seasonal and perishable produce imports, I’m proud to support this bill with Senator Nelson to increase opportunities for Florida growers to successfully seek relief from the illegal dumping of Mexican winter produce into domestic markets.”
The legislation would allow Florida growers to file cases with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission for seasonal dumping specifically rather than year-round dumping.
The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has expressed its support for the bill.
“This bill will provide critically needed trade relief for specialty crop producers in Florida and the Southeast,” the FFVA said in a statement. “Congress and the administration are well aware that our growers have suffered more than most under the original NAFTA. Years of harm from unfair trading practices such as dumping and subsidies have caused family farms that have operated for generations to close their doors. Without relief, Florida’s specialty crop industry will continue to suffer and shrink.
“We especially appreciate both of the senators’ commitment and diligent efforts to provide the trade relief and reform to protect our growers,” the FFVA said in the statement. “We urge quick passage of this important legislation.”
