FLORIDA FARMERS INC.
“A STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL”

Major Accomplishments
January, 1996 through April, 1998
Met with USDA official and stopped a behind the scene attempt to change data to benefit Mexican importers and weaken our effort to seek trade relief by Florida growers.
Florida Farmers Inc. published a position paper entitled "Struggle For Survival", telling the story of the plight of the winter vegetable farmers in Florida. Over 500 copies have now been distributed across the nation. This is the most comprehensive paper ever published about the Mexican import issue.
Successfully lobbied the Florida Department of Agriculture to file a 201/202-trade relief action with the International Trade Commission (ITC) and an antidumping action with the ITC and the U. S. Department of Commerce.
Successfully lobbied the Florida Legislature to obtain a $2.25 million appropriation to the Florida Department of Agriculture to finance the above trade relief cases.
Florida Farmers Inc. contacted over 400 Members of Congress, both in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, educating them with facts about our struggle with unfair trade practices by the Mexicans. These key members of committees have at least some jurisdiction over trade matters.
Florida Farmers Inc. has obtained passage of a Resolution by the Florida Cabinet, the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives urging President Clinton and members of his Cabinet to provide relief to the Florida vegetable industry from unfair trade practices by Mexican producers.
FFI furnished extensive background information to the Clinton/Gore Re-election Committee and the Bob Dole for President campaign, making our issue an election issue in Florida during the 1996 presidential election.
FFI has worked with the traditional trade associations and forced them to intensify their efforts in Washington. The trade associations are finally giving this issue added attention.
FFI was instrumental in the filing of H.R. 1232 - The Imported Produce Labeling Act, S. 1042, the U. S. Senate version of H.R. 1232 and H.R. 2678 - The International Child Labor Elimination Act, in the 105th Congress.
FFI produced a documentary in early 1997 entitled 'The True Cost of Winter Vegetables". The VHS tape depicts working conditions and other growing practices in Mexico. Over 7,500 VHS copies have been distributed, including all members of the 105th and 106th Congress. The documentary, directed by Rafael Oller of the Ninety Miles Film Company and filmed mostly undercover in Mexico, revealed the darker side of Mexican vegetable production. The piece has also lead CBS and NBC news to produce their own work on fruits and vegetable imports. For the first time, American consumers were able to see there is a difference between domestic vs. foreign produce.
FFI has also produced a 4-minute documentary entitled "Children of the Fields" to support - The International Child Labor Elimination Act.
FFI has helped United Auto Workers (UAW) and the National Sierra Club produce several videos and newspaper ads using footage and still photographs from the Mexican footage shot in early 1997.
Florida Farmers Inc. was instrumental in the defeat of the Fast Track Authority bill. One November 10th the President asked Speaker Newt Gringrich to pull the bill because they did not have enough votes to pass the legislation. Through extreme pressure, FFI has been successful in getting 16 members of the Florida Congressional delegation to hold out.
FFI has been directly responsible for obtaining 85 of the 104 co-sponsors on H.R. 1232 in the 105th Congress. The Coalition has made 161 personal visits to members of Congress on this bill.
FFI has testified on four different occasions before the Subcommittee on Economic Policy & Trade, The Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, The Subcommittee on Operations & Human Rights, during 1997.
FFI has generated over 200 Letters to the Editor, Op-Ed pieces and positive newspaper editorials during the last 24 months. Additionally, the name of the Florida Farmers & Suppliers Coalition has appeared in over 180 articles.

May 8, 1998