New advisory committee to boost southeastern agriculture competitiveness

May 31, 2024

By Farms.com

The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) have appointed members to the newly established Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee.

This committee aims to offer advice and recommendations to bolster the competitiveness of producers of seasonal and perishable agricultural products in the Southeastern United States.

Prompted by congressional requests following a Section 301 petition, the committee will focus on understanding and addressing market dynamics impacting producers in the region.

Committee members will bring expertise in various aspects of seasonal and perishable agriculture, contributing to efforts to support Southeastern producers.

The Administration's commitment to supporting specialty crop growers includes initiatives such as the USDA's Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative. This initiative aims to equip producers with tools and resources to enhance competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

USTR and USDA will collaborate with the committee and congressional stakeholders to explore potential administrative actions and legislative measures that can benefit Southeastern producers.

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