Senator Rick Scott has called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure that specialty crop growers are included in any future federal relief package designed to address market disruptions linked to trade practices and global competition. In a letter to Brooke Rollins, Secretary of the USDA, he said growers in Florida and other states continue to face pricing pressure from foreign suppliers and ongoing production challenges.
Scott noted that specialty crop producers have long raised concerns about the effects of trade dynamics involving China, Latin America, and other exporting regions. He cited issues such as citrus greening, hurricanes, and competition from imports produced under different labor and environmental standards. According to Scott, these conditions have created disparities between domestic producers and international suppliers.
The letter pointed to the longstanding dispute between Florida specialty crop growers and Mexican producers, referencing antidumping investigations and suspension agreements, and argued that domestic markets continue to be affected during key growing periods.
Scott urged the USDA to ensure that any new agricultural aid program explicitly includes specialty crop producers and is funded through existing tariff revenues. He also requested that relief funds not be used to procure equipment, commodities, or materials manufactured in China, stating that support intended for domestic agriculture should remain within U.S. supply chains.
He asked the USDA to halt current or future procurement of agricultural goods or equipment from China and to ensure that any financial assistance prioritizes U.S. producers and domestic supply networks.
Scott concluded that specialty crop growers have shown resilience but continue to operate in a challenging environment shaped by international pricing and market access issues, and he said federal support should reflect those conditions.
For more information:
Sen. Rick Scott
Tel: +1 813 225 7040
www.rickscott.senate.gov
