Washington DC – Following a push from U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, Georgia farmers will now have a seat at the table to provide vital policy input to promote the competitiveness of producers of seasonal and perishable crops.
Last month, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established an Advisory Committee on Perishable and Seasonal Agricultural Products following Senator Ossoff’s bipartisan, bicameral push to ensure that Georgia farmers are at the table to address unfair trade practices by Mexicans. importers.
The Committee, which will include Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, and Brad Moorer, president and CEO of MBG Marketing as representatives of the Georgia agriculture industry, will offer expertise in areas such as growing and sales of seasonal produce and perishable produce and the needs and market dynamics affecting producers of seasonal and perishable produce in the southeastern United States.
“I am pleased to see the Biden Administration heeding our bipartisan calls to help Southeastern seasonal producers affected by unfair trade practices. “This new Committee will ensure that Georgia farmers and producers have an important seat at the table to advise the Administration and help Georgia’s agricultural industry continue to grow.” Senator Ossoff said.
Last year, Sens. Ossoff and Marco Rubio (R-FL) led a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers urging U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to make good on the Biden administration’s promise to help the seasonal producers in the southeast affected by unfair trade practices.
Senator Ossoff continues to lead the fight to support Georgia farmers and strengthen the state’s agricultural industry.
In April, Senator Ossoff began working to bring Republicans and Democrats together to pass the bipartisan Specialty Crops Act of 2023, legislation he co-sponsored to support Georgia farmers and level the playing field to boost exports.
In October, Senators Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock urged the Biden administration to support Georgia’s agriculture industry after this year’s natural disasters.
In September, Senator Ossoff launched a campaign to bring together Republicans and Democrats to pass a new bipartisan bill aimed at expanding support for the poultry industry during avian influenza outbreaks.
Last year, following Senator Ossoff’s initiative, the Republic of India announced a major 70% cut in tariffs on US pecan exports, a major victory for Georgia farmers.
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