Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to better safeguard specialty crop growers from unfair trading practices.
Introduced by Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin and Maine Republican Susan Collins, the Fairness for Fruits and Vegetables Act, creates an interagency working group between USDA, USTR, Commerce, and other federal agencies to monitor trade data for seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables and make a coordinated effort to stop trade threats.
Senator Slotkin says the bill strengthens connections and coordination between federal agencies and provides specialty crop producers a way to give input on industry challenges.
The legislation is supported by the Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Farmers Union, and specialty crop associations.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Specialty crop producers are often the forgotten or stepchild of the commodity world. Because they generate fewer dollars and have a more difficult time raising funding for research and development or market development, they are more susceptible to unfair trading practices. Plus, the amount of data or statistics available is often very limited. If this proposed legislation would truly improve coordination and cooperation among federal agencies and growers, some of the trade impediments could be minimized or eliminated. Also, identifying ways for trade partners to communicate more effectively and in a timely manner could seriously reduce the number of trade disputes that often take a lot of time and money to resolve.
Perhaps you can find more ways to communicate and coordinate with your ag customers. Host an agricultural forum about a topic of mutual interest at your dealership. Sponsor events in conjunction with local ag organizations and ask for a few minutes on the program to share information about your CAD membership and all that it entails. Be creative, start an ag blog or podcast for farmers/ranchers in your area and invite experts or politicians in to discuss ag policies and issues.
