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FLORIDA
FARMERS INC.
BROKEN PROMISES President Clinton, in a letter addressed to Rep. Tom Lewis, R-Fla., dated November 16th, 1993, stated, “I know you have been a leader in assuring that under NAFTA our fresh vegetable industry is not adversely affected by unforeseen price changes. I strongly believe that the volume-based snapback of the existing agreement, coupled with the automatic price monitoring and the expedited import relief procedure which will be the law after NAFTA is passed will provide very effective price and volume discipline.” “ I am committed to take the necessary steps to ensure that the USTR and the ITC take prompt and effective action to protect the U.S vegetable industry against price based import surges from Mexico. I want you know that I am personally committed to ensuring that this system is enforceable and effective. It will work to ensure against unfair pricing by importers.” The President of the United States promised to protect Florida grower three years ago. The federal government needs to take strong action now against unfair pricing by importers of winter vegetables. Recently, a group of 17 members of the Florida House of Representatives forcefully told U.S Rep. Joe Skeen, R-N.M., chairman of the agriculture subcommittee. “The inspection services at our borders are being overwhelmed. We are faced with three times the volume of entries across the border than in recent years, and are lacking adequate funding and personnel to perform critical inspections of imported fruits and vegetables. For the health and safety of our constituents and our food supply we must enforce our inspection laws to the fullest extent possible.” Once again, Mexican winter vegetable growers are dumping their products on the market. Selling them below the fair market value is against the law and the spirit of NAFTA. Federal antidumping laws are not supplanted by NAFTA. Once again, south Florida farmers are plowing under their crops - because it is not worth their while to pack and ship them when they know they can´t sell them at prices artificially depressed by Mexican shippers who know that U.S enforcers can´t keep up. Today there is a grassroots consensus in the agricultural community that the time for decisive concerted action on this complex and unique Florida issue is now. Past experience has taught Florida farmers to seek an alliance with the state government to maintain the staying power required for success at the federal level. Florida is the fourth largest state with an increased economic and political stake at the federal level. Maybe this time Florida farmers can get the fair shake they have been denied in the past. All who work in Florida agriculture and American consumers, as well, will win if Florida winter vegetable farmers win their struggle for survival.
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