U.S. trade officials are holding the public hearing to learn directly from Georgia farmers about the harm that Mexico's unfair trade practices have caused and seek feedback on how the Administration can remedy that unfair farm
For more than two decades, the Mexican government has funded elaborate aid programs subsidizing virtually all aspects of specialty crop production, including investment in infrastructure for protected agriculture, equipment, post-harvest management, genetic resources, irrigation technology and more. Those subsidies, coupled with Mexico's cheaper, ample labor supply, have made Mexico the largest exporter of fruit and vegetable produce to the U.S. market during Georgia's growing season.
Georgia growers are counting on the Administration and the USTR to launch effective trade recourse to restore market fairness. Without relief, multi-generational family farms will continue to shut down, and specialty crop production in the Southeast will ultimately disappear.
American consumers will be forced to rely solely on foreign-sourced fresh fruits and vegetables during significant periods of the year.
GWA strongly encourages anyone who supports the Georgia specialty crop industry and all fruit and vegetable farmers to attend the meeting to fill the auditorium on the rescheduled date to be announced later. In addition to attending the hearing at a later date, you can send written comments to the U.S. Trade Representative. The new deadlines will be released later after the hearings are rescheduled.
View instructions on how to submit comments here.
If you have a story to tell, GWA wants to help you tell it! We are gathering testimonies and submissions during this process and would love to hear from you. We can help prepare you to testify during this hearing, and also to submit written testimony that has the key messages we need for USTR to take action. Email Samantha Kilgore for more information. skilgore@asginfo.net