Rubio, Scott, Buchanan and Lawson Reintroduce Bill to Tackle Unfair Trade Practices Affecting Florida Fruit and Vegetable Growers

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL), along with U.S. Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Al Lawson (D-FL), reintroduced legislation to help fruit growers and Florida vegetables to combat unfair trade practices of countries like Mexico. More precisely, the Law on the Defense of the Production of National Products would ensure that U.S. trade law applies to growers of seasonal fruits and vegetables to petition the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission for relief from unfair trade practices. The current law requires petitioners to demonstrate damage measured nationally and throughout the year, which by definition precludes recognition of regional and seasonal fruit and vegetable industries. the Law on the Defense of the Production of National Products correct this oversight in US trade law and recognize the unique circumstances of seasonal fruit and vegetable growers. Rubio introduced for the first time this legislation in September 2018 with Senator Nelson (D-FL) and reintroduced in January 2019, with Scott, Buchanan and Lawson. “We must ensure the viability of Florida’s fruit and vegetable producers, who for years have struggled to compete with dumped and unfairly priced Mexican imports,” said Rubio. “I firmly believe that food security is national security, and that to ensure the food security of our country, we must defend our food producers against malicious business practices that aim to undermine our self-reliance.” Florida’s seasonal produce producers are working incredibly hard to be successful and support their families, but they have faced challenges amid the pandemic and unfair competition from Mexico, ” Scott said. “This legislation will help defend and protect our hard-working domestic producers from the impacts of these unfair trade practices and support their continued success.” Illegal seasonal dumping and unfair trading practices from Mexico cripple Florida fruit and vegetable growers. Buchanan said. “It’s time to level the playing field and protect hard-working Florida farmers. This is exactly what our bill would do. “Dumping Mexico into our country’s agricultural market is a problem, and below-cost produce has put Florida farmers at a disadvantage.” Lawson said. “This problem cripples our state’s agricultural industry and threatens its place as one of the country’s major agricultural producers. The Defending Domestic Produce Production Act will work to protect Florida farmers and ensure they have a fair chance in the market.
Background:

• May 5, 2021: Rubio and Colleagues Urge U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to Protect U.S. Seasonal Producers from Unfair Foreign Trade Practices
• February 11, 2021: Rubio issues statement on ITC’s global safeguard investigation into blueberry imports
• January 15, 2021: Rubio, Florida Republicans Call for Relief for Fruit and Vegetable Growers from Mexico’s Unfair Trade Practices
• August 13, 2020: Rubio defends seasonal Florida growers in virtual hearing
• January 16, 2020: Français / Español: Statement by Rubio on the Senate Passing the USMCA
• September 29, 2019:Rubio: Today’s suspension deal is an important win for U.S. tomato growers
• August 21, 2019: Rubio applauds new tomato suspension deal
• August 8, 2019: Rubio eagerly awaits conclusion of anti-dumping investigation on fresh tomatoes from Mexico
• May 7, 2019: Rubio applauds US Department of Commerce’s withdrawal from tomato suspension deal with Mexico and resumption of anti-dumping investigation
• May 7, 2019: ICYMI: Rubio supports American tomato growers in our fight against cheap Mexican imports
• April 4, 2019:Rubio and colleagues share concerns with Lighthizer over lack of effective trade enforcement for seasonal products in the USMCA
• March 13, 2019:Rubio, colleagues fight back to defend US farmers, administration
• February 1, 2019: Rubio and Yoho lead colleagues in urging Secretary Ross to support U.S. tomato growers suffering from unfair trading practices in Mexico
• February 7, 2019: Rubio, Yoho applaud US Department of Commerce’s decision to withdraw from tomato suspension deal with Mexico
• January 3, 2019: Rubio and Buchanan Reintroduce Bill to Tackle Mexico’s Unfair Trade Practices Hurting Florida Farmers
• September 26, 2018:Rubio and Nelson introduce bill to tackle Mexico’s unfair trade practices

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Marco rubio published this content on June 16, 2021 and is solely responsible for the information it contains. Distributed by Public, unedited and unmodified, on June 16, 2021 07:11:05 PM UTC.