US grapefruit growers are affected by substandard produce from Mexico

Published 2021년 12월 15일

Tridge summary

A group of US Senators and congressmen from Florida and Texas have urged the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reverse a decision to suspend the Section 8e grapefruit juice content standards for grapefruits imported through the 'Patch # 65' marketing order. The suspension has allowed low-quality grapefruits from Mexico to enter the US, causing millions of dollars in economic damage to Florida and Texas growers, who are required to meet these standards. The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association supports this call for the USDA to reinstate the federal requirements for imports and is urging for an explanation of the suspension.

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Original content

FRESH PLAZA. Last week, a letter was sent to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Tom Vilsack, urging the USDA to "immediately reverse" its decision to suspend the Section 8e grapefruit juice content standards for grapefruits imported through the "Patch # 65" marketing order. The letter was headed by US Senators Marco Rubio, Rick Scott and Ted Cruz, and signed by 20 congressmen from Florida and Texas. The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association issued the following statement in support of this action: “Low-cost, low-quality grapefruits from Mexico have been entering the United States for weeks due to the USDA's suspension of the juice content requirement for imports. Juice content is a key component of quality and a federal standard that Florida and Texas growers are required to adhere to. The FFVA is pleased that congressional delegation members from Florida and Texas have shown such strong support in seeking relief for domestic grapefruit growers. ...

Source: Inforural