U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-GA, and U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-GA, introduced bills in their respective chambers this week that would provide a backstop for Georgia’s specialty crop farmers competing against low-priced imports.
Simplifying it a bit, the bill establishes a pilot program for farmers to receive support (i.e. – cash) when the price of the national average falls below the five-year average, if the difference is caused by imports. Right now, cheap crops are flooding the market from central and South America and Georgia’s farmers are having trouble making enough selling their products at that low of a price.
“Georgia’s farmers thrive when there is fair competition and Congress can do its part to protect them from unfairly priced imports,” said Rep. Bishop. “Not only is this bill important for the financial stability and security of our nation’s farmers, but also to help protect our supply chain and ensure Americans can get affordable, healthy food closer to home.”
Bishop has long represented a large swath of south Georgia but is always in danger of his district getting sliced to a smaller and smaller percentage of Democrat voters. The move is the latest from Sen. Ossoff that shows some outreach to farmers or specifically rural issues, an area of the state he will need at least some bit of marginal support from when he runs for re-election. Not that he will win those areas but cutting into the huge Republican leads in these areas is key for a Democrat running statewide.
“Georgia family farms are getting buried by unfair crop imports from South and Central America,” Sen. Ossoff said. “That’s why we are introducing this bill — to ensure Georgia’s family farms and rural communities can thrive.”
Support for the bill specifically is undoubtedly bipartisan, partially demonstrated by the support of state Sen. Sam Watson (R-11), not wearing his legislative hat but rather wearing his President of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (GFVGA) hat. Payments would be issued when the Secretary of Agriculture determines revenue losses are due to seasonal imports. The program will only apply to five crops to start: blueberry, squash, bell pepper, cucumber, and/or asparagus. These crops have been found by the International Trade Commission as suffering from “above-average” import growth.
“Georgia growers find themselves at a disadvantage because of the increase in imported fruits and vegetables. This program will enhance the competitiveness of Georgia’s growers and help insure we can continue to produce the highest quality fruits and vegetables here at home,” said Sam Watson, owner of Chill C Farms in Moultrie, Georgia. “We appreciate the work of Senator Ossoff and Congressman Bishop on addressing this critical issue.”
