Press Releases

Reps. Jack Bergman, Dan Kildee, Bill Huizenga, John Moolenaar, and Fred Upton sent a bipartisan letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting coronavirus-related relief for Michigan’s tart cherry industry.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided $9.5 billion for agricultural producers impacted by COVID-19, including specialty crop producers, producers that supply local food systems, and livestock producers. The new law also includes $14 billion for the replenishment of the Commodity Credit Corporation, which makes direct payments to farmers.

In the letter to Secretary Perdue, the Congressmen noted, "Relief is needed immediately as the coronavirus pandemic has stripped Michigan cherries of their markets and imposed new challenges on production.  The tart cherry industry is already fighting challenges in both the domestic and foreign markets which have resulted in low grower prices and an increased cost of production. Given this unprecedented situation, USDA must work diligently to stabilize the industry and ensure it is not overlooked in opportunities to benefit from coronavirus-related efforts."

You can read the full letter HERE

Background:

In September 2018, Rep. Bergman requested that President Trump end Turkey’s duty-free benefit into the U.S. market under Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for tart cherry juice.

In March 2019, Rep. Bergman announced to cherry growers USDA approved a $15 million surplus purchase request to promote domestic consumption. 

In June 2019, Rep. Bergman announced that the USDA would buy an additional $15 million of U.S. tart cherries.

In September 2019, Reps. Bergman and Moolenaar sent a letter to Secretary Perdue urging tart and processed sweet cherries to be included in the president’s trade aid package.

In December 2019, Rep. Bergman wrote testimony to the International Trade Commission supporting the Dried Tart Cherry Trade Committee’s case against Turkey dumping.

In January 2020, Rep. Bergman led a phone call with USTR Ambassador Gregg Doud regarding Michigan cherries in the China Phase One trade deal.

In February 2020, Reps. Bergman, Moolenaar, and Huizenga wrote a letter to USTR requesting a field hearing in Michigan regarding the state of tart cherries and other specialty crops.

In February 2020, Rep. Bergman and other Michigan congressional delegation Members wrote a letter to CBP in support of the tart cherry industry’s allegation against improper Turkish trade practices.