WASHINGTON – Unfair trade practices with Mexico continue to be at the forefront of Florida’s specialty crop producers. Legislators are doing what they can to protect seasonal producers. Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) and Congressman Darren Soto (D-Fla.) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation earlier this month to help Florida fruit and vegetable growers combat Mexico’s unfair trade practices. “Illegal seasonal dumping and …
Rubio: Bill to Reduce OJ Brix Blocked
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida on Aug. 4 said Senate Democrats blocked a bill Rubio introduced that would have resulted in lowering the Brix level of not-from-concentrate orange juice (NFC OJ). That bill would have directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take the Brix-lowering action. Rubio had introduced the Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act (S. 4394), …
Opinion: It Is Time to Defend Domestic Specialty Crops
By Frank Giles As the heat of summer sets in, many specialty crops have finished their seasons in the Southeast. While most crops saw good production this season, markets were again impacted by foreign competition, especially from Mexico. Surging prices for key inputs like fertilizer didn’t help the situation. Even in specialty crops where volume was down due to weather, …