Statement from The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
A small group of politically connected, wealthy agribusiness firms from Florida are seeking concessions from the Federal government to effectively subsidize their industry by raising prices, an act that would deprive Americans of affordable fruits and vegetables.
As a part of the NAFTA renegotiation, they want to change anti-dumping law to manipulate the free market in order to benefit regional, seasonal perishable agriculture industries. If successful, this tactic will result in lawsuits that would raise prices for U.S. consumers, while reducing availability, selection and quality in the supermarket aisle for items such as tomatoes, avocados, bell peppers, watermelons, strawberries and blueberries, just to name a few.
In a time of rampant obesity and rising healthcare costs, this anti-market approach would hit Americans in the pocketbooks when they can least afford it. Pursuing such “trade protection through increased litigation” will also be at the cost of U.S. exporters when similar “seasonal suits” are brought by Canada and Mexico.
For further comment:
Lance Jungmeyer
President
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Tel: (520) 287-2707