Fried Joins Rubio Supporting US Farmers

Fried Joins Rubio Supporting US Farmers

With your Southeast Regional Ag Report, I'm Trevor Williams.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio recently authored a bipartisan letter asking US Trade Representative Kathinere Tai on trade relief for farmers across the country. Rubio was joined by 39 other lawmakers from 8 other states that shared concern over trade practices negatively affecting farmers.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried added her support, mentioning the importance of protecting seasonal growers in Florida.

“Florida’s and the nation’s seasonal crop producers have long suffered from unfair trade practices that threaten their livelihoods and our safe, secure domestic food supply. It’s past time for common-sense trade solutions that give Florida’s growers a level playing field on which to compete.”

Other signees included Florida Sen. Rick Scott and 22 of Florida’s 27 House members signed on.

The letter states: "American growers of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables are under unsustainable pressure from growing volumes of unfairly subsidized and/or dumped produce from Mexico, Peru, Chile, and other foreign suppliers. This past year, amidst the coronavirus pandemic, for example, imports of perishable fruits and vegetables surged to record levels, seizing larger segments of the market while our growers were forced to forego their harvests and plow under entire fields of viable produce.”

Fried, the only Democrat holding statewide office in Florida, has closely followed trade negotiations and said the agriculture industry in Florida needs consideration.

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