AgNet Weekly: Tomato Suspension Agreement Pt 2

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.

In the second episode in our two-part series on the tomato suspension agreement, we hear from Michael Schadler with the Florida Tomato Exchange, on why the organization wants the agreement terminated and what it could mean for growers.

Last week we heard from Lance Jungmeyer, President of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, which is against terminating the agreement and the effect it could have on importers and some businesses. If you missed that, you can always go back and listen to last week’s episode.

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.
  1. June 15, 2024: IFPA Washington Conference, Ag Labor, Packaging
  2. June 8, 2024: Jacqui Fatka of CoBank on Trade Issues
  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.