Rep. Vern Buchanan. R-Sarasota, will lead a bipartisan push by Florida lawmakers to shield farmers in the state from the impacts of unfair trade practices. He has filed the Defending Domestic Produce Production Actm which provide economic protections to seasonal fruit and vegetable growers, allowing them to petition the Commerce Department and International Trade Commission for relief.

It’s a long-promised protection following approval of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement but which many feel did not do enough to protect domestic agriculture.

“Illegal seasonal dumping and unfair Mexican trade practices are crippling Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers,” Buchanan said. “It’s time to level the playing field and protect hardworking Florida farmers. Our bill would do just that.”

Buchanan serves as co-chair of Florida’s Congressional Delegation, and will work with Rep. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, to create relief for seasonal producers. “This issue is crippling our state’s agriculture industry and threatening its place as one of the top agricultural producers in the country,” Lawson said. “The Defending Domestic Produce Production Act will work to protect Florida’s farmers and make sure they have a fair chance in the marketplace.”

Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, both Republicans, will carry companion legislation in the Senate.

“We must ensure the viability of Florida’s fruit and vegetable growers, who for years have struggled to compete with dumped and unfairly priced Mexican imports,” Rubio said.

“This legislation will help defend and protect our hardworking domestic growers from the impacts of these unfair trade practices and support their continued success,” added Scott.