Now is your chance to tell the administration: Unfair Mexican trade practices threaten our ability to grow fruits and vegetables.
(FFVA) — Representatives from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce will hold a public hearing on April 7 to hear from Florida growers of fresh fruit and vegetables about the severe economic losses they have suffered from 20 years of unfair competition from Mexico. In addition to hearing grower testimony, the administration is seeking feedback on how it can remedy the unfair harm experienced by producers.
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) strongly urges all producer and trade associate members to attend the meeting and to invite friends and family to fill the auditorium.
Public Hearing
April 7, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
Grimes Family Agricultural Center
2508 W Oak Ave., Plant City, FL 33563
This is our best opportunity to tell the administration about the dire state of many Florida specialty crop operations. We can’t emphasize enough how critically important it is that we have the strongest turnout possible to demonstrate our concern over Mexico’s unfair trade practices and to advocate for urgent relief.
To make attendance more convenient for those in South Florida, free bus transportation from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Everglades Research and Education Center in Belle Glade will be available, leaving at 5:30 a.m. and returning around 3:30 p.m. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Florida specialty crop producers will have the opportunity to provide testimony at the hearing to describe how Mexico’s use of unfair trade practices has hurt their operations over the past two decades and to underscore the urgent need for trade relief.
In addition to attending the hearing, FFVA urges its members to send written comments to the U.S Trade Representative by March 27. View instructions on how to submit comments here.
FFVA President Mike Joyner expressed appreciation that the trade ambassador is taking this step. “We’re grateful that Ambassador Lighthizer has made this strong commitment to pursue trade recourse. This is a positive development in our ongoing efforts to secure trade relief,” he said.
FFVA has prepared a convenient social media toolkit with suggested Twitter posts and graphics for you to use to urge the public to attend this hearing in support of Florida farmers. The more people at the hearing, the bigger the impact. Download the social media toolkit here.
We are optimistic that with your help, we can secure a viable solution for Florida growers in an effective, timely manner. For more information, go to www.ffva.com/trade.
Source: Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association