October 28, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 170 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H8530]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR FLORIDA'S SEASONAL GROWERS

  (Mr. SPANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to raise awareness about an 
issue that is important to our Nation and essential to my district. 
Strawberry growers in Plant City, Florida, are under attack.
  For years Mexico has spent millions subsidizing their strawberry 
production. This has allowed them to export strawberries at a cost our 
local growers cannot compete with. Consequently, imports of Mexican 
strawberries have increased by approximately 80 percent since 2010. 
Furthermore, current trade agreements don't allow seasonal growers to 
bring antidumping claims. This means our growers are left with a right 
against unlawful dumping but no means of enforcing it.
  Plant City, Florida, is known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the 
World and produces more than 85 percent of all the winter strawberries 
grown here in our Nation. It is imperative for Congress to correct the 
situation and pass legislation that gives our growers the protections 
that they need and deserve.

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