Posts By: Tracey Chow

U.S. House Ag Committee Chair Visits California, WG Shares Farm Bill Priorities

Last week, Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-PA) visited with farmers and local officials in central and northern California to better understand the industry’s biggest challenges and opportunities in the state. As the current Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Thompson will lead the Committee’s efforts to reauthorize the Farm Bill, which will expire this year. To…

Congress Acts to Avert Rail Strike

This week, President Biden officially called on Congress to pass legislation adopting a tentative labor agreement between railroads and the workers without any modifications or delay. On Wednesday, the House approved a bill doing just that, as well as separately approving an amendment to add seven days of paid sick leave to the agreement. Today, ...

AMS Releases 2019 User-Fee Rates for Voluntary Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Services

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has released the 2019 rates for voluntary fruits, vegetables and specialty crop services. The rates include pricing for voluntary grading, inspection, certification, verification and laboratory services for a variety of agricultural commodities. These services ensure the quality and availability of produce for…

US-Mexico Tomato Suspension Agreement Terminated, Imports to Face 17.5% Duties

On May 7, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the termination of the U.S.-Mexico tomato suspension agreement. This follows its initial notice of intent to withdraw from the agreement back on February 6, 2019. In response to a petition requesting an antidumping investigation of Mexican tomato imports, an agreement was reached in 1996 between the ...

India Increases Tariffs on Almonds, Walnuts, and Apples

On June 16, 2019, India officially imposed tariff increases on dozens of U.S. products, including almonds, walnuts and apples. New tariff amounts: Almonds, shelled – 20% increase; new effective rate is INR120/kg Almonds, in-shell – 20% increase; new effective rate is INR42/kg Walnuts, shelled – 20% increase; new effective rate is 50.9% Walnuts, in-shell – ...

U.S. Celery Export Violations Found in Japan

Western Growers has been informed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that some recent shipments of U.S. celery to Japan have exceeded the country’s maximum residue level (MRL) tolerances on multiple separate incidents related to acephate and methamidophos. Per current policy of Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), the violations have triggered a ...

Analysis on What Trade Issues Mean for WG Members

As we head towards the end of the summer season, the world of international trade continues to be a volatile one. Western Growers is actively working on several fronts to ensure our members’ existing or prospective markets remain open to their products. Here are some updates for your awareness: CHINA What to Know: Progress towards ...

U.S. Set to Impose 25% Tariff on E.U. Ag Products

On Wednesday October 2, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced that the U.S. received approval from the World Trade Organization (WTO) to impose tariffs on $7.5 billion of selected EU products, as result of its win in a long-running case against illegal EU aircraft subsidies. Effective October 18, 2019 USTR will ...

Western Growers & Industry Allies to USTR: We Need China Tariff Relief

On Thursday, November 21, Western Growers and nearly 15 of its specialty crop allies sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative, urging Ambassador Robert Lighthizer to secure the elimination of China’s retaliatory tariffs on fresh fruit, vegetables, and tree nuts. The letter was also sent to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade officials, as ...

Hong Kong Suspends Romaine Lettuce from Salinas

The Hong Kong government has suspended the import and sale of Salinas-originated romaine lettuce, due to the most recent E.coli outbreak. According to the USDA-Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the ban has been effective since November 23, 2019, and applies to any and all forms, including head and salad mixes. Per this latest notice, Hong Kong’s ...

Organic Grower Information Needed for USDA Survey

Starting this month, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be reaching out to U.S. organic producers for its five-year update on the organic industry. This update is arguably the most comprehensive source of data on organic farming in the United States, with both governmental and non-governmental decision-making being heavily influenced by its findings and ...

The Phase One U.S.-China Deal: What’s In It for Ag?

On Wednesday, January 15, 2020, representatives of the United States and China signed a phase one trade agreement that represents a positive step towards ending the nearly two-year-long trade war. Western Growers Board Chairman Ryan Talley of Talley Farms attended the White House signing ceremony on behalf of our membership.  WG’s official press release on ...

Emergency Hours-of-Service Relief Declared for Truck Drivers

On Friday, March 13, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published an emergency declaration that provides relief from its hours-of-service (HOS) rules to truck drivers engaged in emergency coronavirus, or COVID-19, relief efforts. The declaration is in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks and the need for increased transportation to move immediate supplies,…

Transportation Alert: 3 Updates to Know

In these hectic times, there is a constant flood of information and updates. As you work to ensure your products are moving as smoothly as possible, here are three quick transportation alerts for your awareness: FMCSA EXTENDS COVID-19 HOURS-OF-SERVICE EXEMPTIONS TO JUNE 14 On Wednesday, the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA) officially extended its ...

Nominees Needed for the National Organic Standards Board

USDA is seeking nominations to fill five open seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The deadline is June 1, 2020. First established in 2001, the NOSB considers and makes recommendations on a wide range of issues involving the production, handling, and processing of organic products. The NOSB also has special responsibilities related to ...

China Demanding “COVID-Free” Guarantees on Food Imports

There have been very recent reports that food exporters are being asked by China to guarantee that their products are not contaminated with the novel coronavirus. This has since been confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) office. Thus far, the request is for some type of ‘Letter ...

Emergency Hours-of-Service Exemptions For Produce Truckers Expired

On July 14, 2020, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) emergency exemption from certain HOS requirements expired and was not extended for most agricultural categories. Specifically, the announcement states that Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002 will be extended to August 14, 2020 only for the following circumstances: transport of livestock and livestock feed; transport of…

U.S. House Approves Annual Funding for Agriculture

On Friday, July 24, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7608, a fiscal year 2021 funding bill that provides for U.S. agriculture and USDA programs, in addition to rural development, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Department of Interior (DOI) programs. Separate from the recent standalone trade mitigation and coronavirus assistance provided to ...

USDA Adds More Eligible Crops for CFAP, Extends Deadline

On Tuesday, August 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the inclusion of additional eligible crops in the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). USDA is also extending the deadline to apply for the program to Friday, September 11. The timeframe for eligible losses continues to be January 15 – April 15, 2020. The full announcement ...

Trump Administration Releases Proposal to Address Foreign Imports’ Impact on U.S. Fruits & Vegetables

On Tuesday, September 1, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of Commerce (Commerce) released a joint report outlining the Trump Administration’s plan to address foreign produce imports and their impact on American producers of seasonal and perishable fruits and vegetables. The report stems from the Administration’s…