Press Releases

On Friday, U.S. Representatives Jack Bergman (MI-01), Bill Huizenga (MI-02), and John Moolenar (MI-04) called for the United States Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S.  Department of Commerce to hold a field hearing in Michigan to hear directly from specialty crop growers, producers, and farmers. 

Michigan is unique in the fact that it is able to grow a multitude of specialty crops, such as tart cherries, and this increases the negative impact questionable trade practices have on Michigan agriculture.

"When Michigan farmers have a level playing field, they can compete with anyone in the world. However, our farmers and growers have suffered significantly due to questionable foreign trade practices and the inability to seek redress. Our specialty crop farmers, which includes the asparagus, blueberry, and cherry growers, among others, are forced to compete on a playing field that is tilted against them," wrote Michigan Congressmen Jack Bergman, Bill Huizenga, and John Moolenaar.  

"Specifically the Michigan tart cherry industry, which produces 75 percent of the annual domestic crop, is currently facing record low prices and an adverse trade landscape. From 2016-2018, imports of dried tart cherries dramatically rose by 1 million pounds, flooding the market with low quality imports. We strongly share in our constituents’ concern regarding the International Trade Commission’s January 14th negative ruling on the tart cherry industry’s case against Turkey’s unfair trade practices, which was inconsistent with the Department of Commerce’s affirmative preliminary countervailing duty determination from September 2019."

A signed copy of the letter is available here.