Help With Fair Trade Issues Coming for Farmers in Southeast U.S.

Posted by Paul Rusnak|October 25, 2022

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced it will pursue avenues to assist the Southeast seasonal produce industry in coordination with the USDA after members of Congress requested an examination of certain issues in a recently filed Section 301 petition.

The Biden Administration recognizes that Southeast producers have faced challenges, which have only intensified since Hurricane Ian made landfall a few weeks ago. USTR will establish a private-sector industry advisory panel to recommend measures to promote the competitiveness of producers of seasonal and perishable produce in the southeastern U.S. USTR and USDA will work with the advisory panel and members of Congress to develop possible administrative actions and legislation that would provide real benefits to this struggling industry.

The Section 301 petition, which was filed on Sept. 8, 2022 by members of Florida’s Congressional delegation, alleged that the Government of Mexico has adopted an “export targeting” scheme aimed at Florida produce. The 301 statute requires that USTR make a decision on whether to move forward with an investigation within 45 days. The statute also includes a private-sector advisory panel as a specific response to export targeting. Although USTR could not conclude in the 45-day statutory period that a formal 301 investigation would be effective and is not opening an investigation at this time, USTR is moving forward with an advisory panel, and USTR and USDA will work with the petitioners and producers to examine the issues raised in the petition and to consider any further actions that may be appropriate.

The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association (FFVA) released a statement regarding USTR’s response: “Today’s action by the U.S. Trade Representative is a positive step toward securing trade relief for the Southeast produce industry and will help to ensure American families are not dependent on foreign imports for their produce supplies during the winter and spring months of the year.

“FFVA thanks USTR for its commitment to work with the Florida industry and petitioning Florida Congressional offices to address the unfair Mexican trade practices raised in the Section 301 petition, including the Mexican government’s decades-long export targeting scheme for seasonal and perishable products …”