AgNet Weekly: Tomato Suspension Agreement Pt 1

Sabrina Halvorson AgNet Weekly

Should the U.S. terminate the tomato suspension agreement with Mexico? This agreement is intended to keep Mexico from flooding the U.S. market with underpriced tomatoes, however, some industry leaders say it’s not working, and the agreement needs to be terminated so Mexico can be held accountable. Others worry that terminating the agreement and making Mexico pay duties or fines for these tomatoes will lead to that nation sending us less product. They are against terminating the agreement. Host Sabrina Halvorson talked with leaders on both sides of the issue and will have both interviews for you in this two-part series.

Next week, we’ll hear from Michael Schadler with the Florida Tomato Exchange, who will explain Mexico’s tomato dumping and the effects on U.S. growers.

But this week, we’ll start with the interview Sabrina did first, which is with Lance Jungmeyer, President of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. The organization is against terminating the agreement. The association and its members help to ensure North America’s uninterrupted access to Mexican-grown fruits and vegetables.

Each week we highlight essential legislative and policy conversations affecting agriculture nationwide. Host Sabrina Halvorson is a 30-year media veteran known nationally for her award-winning, balanced, and accurate reporting. For more than 10 years, she has specialized in agriculture news focused on political issues. While most agriculture news podcasts focus primarily on Midwest crops, we uniquely understand specialty crops, their regions, and their related industries. AgNet Weekly also traverses the legislative issues of the livestock industry and other matters related to California and Southeast agriculture.

June 15, 2024: IFPA Washington Conference, Ag Labor, Packaging – AgNet Weekly with Sabrina Halvorson

The International Fresh Produce Association recently held its Washington Conference, a chance for members and allies to learn more about policy issues and to talk with their elected officials about the issues that are important to the industry. To get an update, we’re talking with Rebeckah Adcock, Vice President of Government Relations for the International Fresh Produce Association.
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  3. May 18, 2024: Anti Animal Ag Measure in Sonoma County
  4. May 11, 2024: Representative Mann on Canceled NASS Reports
  5. April 27, 2024: AFBF's Courtney Briggs on EPA PFAS Rule
  6. April 13, 2024: Representative Austin Scott on Farm Bill, Trade, Labor, and more
  7. April 6, 2024: Jacqueline Heard, Founder and CEO, Enko
  8. March 30, 2024: Policy for Prescribed Fires
  9. March 23, 2024: Policy Expert Fran Miller
  10. March 16, 2024 – Representative John Duarte (R-CA)

Sabrina Halvorson
National Correspondent / AgNet Media, Inc.

Sabrina Halvorson is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and public speaker who specializes in agriculture. She primarily reports on legislative issues and hosts The AgNet Weekly podcast. Sabrina is a native of California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley.