September 2, 2020
www.gfb.org
Vol. 2 No. 17
GFB’S LONG URGES USTR TO SEEK SOLUTIONS FOR PRODUCE GROWERS Federal agencies announce plan to pursue trade remedies Georgia Farm Bureau President Gerald Long asked the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to use any means necessary to remedy Mexico’s unfair trade practices that are harming Georgia produce growers. Long testified in a Aug. 20 virtual hearing before officials from USTR, USDA and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The GFB president was one of two dozen witnesses to testify, including Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall and Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) Executive Director Charles Hall. Seven Georgia farmers testified as well. Long pointed out that Georgia’s seasonal and perishable commodity production has been—and continues to be—directly affected by Mexican imports due to shared marketing periods. Georgia producers are struggling to compete against heavily subsidized Mexican imports. Long said Mexico’s unfair market practices have undercut American farmers. “NAFTA failed to provide protections or a remedy for our seasonal and perishable commodity producers, and the newly established USMCA effectively followed suit,” Long said. Long noted the U.S.’ $5 billion agricultural trade deficit with Mexico, saying it is largely due to imported fruits and vegetables, and that fruit, vegetable and nut production combined provide more than 26,000 jobs and $4.5 billion to Georgia’s economy. During the USMCA negotiations, Mexico resisted provisions that would limit its produce exports to the U.S. during U.S. growing seasons. Long said the USMCA’s failure to provide adequate protection for this industry must be addressed because the viability of many family farms in Georgia is at stake. “I’m afraid we will continue to see farm closures and severe losses in our local economies if action is not taken soon,” Long said. Possible actions Long mentioned included the consideration of a Section 301 investigation as allowed under the Trade Act of 1974, collection of data to show the impact Mexican imports have on Georgia fruit and vegetable marketing seasons, and for producers to have an opportunity to bring a trade dispute before federal trade officials. Hall presented sobering statistics from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on how Mexico’s produce imports to the U.S. have grown. For example, Mexican -continued on next page