Buchanan Secures Pledge from Trump Administration to Help Florida Farmers

Press Release

The president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association says he is "optimistic" about a commitment from the Trump administration to help Florida farmers.

The U.S. Trade Representative, in a letter to Congressman Vern Buchanan, pledged to help Florida combat unfair trade practices from Mexico and other countries. Buchanan is the top Republican on the Trade Subcommittee in the U.S. House.

Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, Friday praised the assurance, adding, "This commitment would not have been possible without Congressman Buchanan's tireless efforts on behalf of Florida farmers over the past six months. We look forward to continuing to work with Congressman Buchanan and the administration and remain optimistic about resolving our industry's concerns in an effective, timely manner."

Joyner also said he was "very pleased" at the "formal commitment from the administration to work with our industry to combat Mexico's unfair trade practices to help level the playing field for Florida."

Buchanan has been working closely with the office of the United States Trade Representative and Florida's specialty crop farmers to help level the playing field for this vital Florida industry, which supports nearly 100,000 Florida jobs and has an economic impact of more than $12 billion a year in the Sunshine State.

Buchanan said, "Florida farmers have been severely impacted by current unfair trade practices and mounting Mexican imports flooding our markets. I want to thank Ambassador Lighthizer and the Administration for hearing our concerns and committing to working with us to protect Florida farmers."

In the letter to Buchanan, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer noted Buchanan's continuing concern that unfair trading practices have harmed U.S. seasonal and perishable producers and assured the Congressman that he remains "fully committed" to addressing these issues "to ensure a timely, effective U.S. Government response."

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