Shannon Grove In DC For USMCA Signing

Senate Republican Leader Grove Joins President Donald Trump for Signing of the USMCA

Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) was in Washington, D.C. this past week to witness the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA) and issued the following statement:

“This is a historic moment for the United States. It is such an honor to join President Trump and to witness the signing of this modern trade agreement. The Central Valley is home to the top three agricultural producing counties in the nation and this 21st century agreement is our country’s commitment to these hardworking farmers, farm workers, and agribusinesses.

“I am thankful for the President’s hard work and persistence on the USMCA. I have worked with his Administration to support the movement of this deal and I am grateful that this historic agreement has been ratified by the United States,” said Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove.

In December 2019, Senator Grove was one of 26 state leaders from across the United States who signed on to a letter urging Congressional leaders to pass the USMCA.

In 2019, Senator Grove introduced Senate Joint Resolution 12 which requested the California State Legislature to support and urge Congress to approve the USMCA. SJR 12 passed out of the California State Senate with bipartisan support.

In an op-Ed published in The Fresno Bee, Senator Grove outlined the importance of the USMCA.

California Ag Today2020-02-01T07:55:20-08:00February 1st, 2020|

USMCA Passes

California Fresh Fruit Association Applauds Passage of USMCA Agreement

The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) applauds the passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) out of the Senate today in an 89-10 vote.

The USMCA will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement and enhance the movement of food products between the countries.

CFFA believes this new agreement will benefit California farmers by improving market access in Mexico and Canada. USMCA will build upon the existing trading relationship between the three countries and allows for continued economic growth.

CFFA President Ian LeMay stated, “Mexico and Canada have been vital trade partners over the years for our growers and shippers and the passage of USMCA out of the Senate today comes to the delight of the California fresh fruit industry. Our members look forward to continuing to provide the freshest fruit to consumers around the world.”

Ian LeMay

The Association applauds the work of the Administration and our California delegation for their support of USMCA, specifically, Senator Dianne Feinstein, Congressmen Kevin McCarthy, Congressman Jim Costa, Congressman Devin Nunes, Congressman TJ Cox, Congressman Josh Harder and Congressman Jimmy Panetta.

California Ag Today2020-01-17T11:39:26-08:00January 17th, 2020|

Act Now to Help Pass the USMCA

House to Take First Step Towards Full Ratification of USMCA

Provided by California Farm Bureau Federation

This Thursday, the House will take the first step towards full ratification of the renegotiated NAFTA known as the “US-Mexico-Canada Agreement” (USMCA). California agriculture exports $6.6 billion in goods to Canada and Mexico and supports more than 56,000 jobs.

Since NAFTA was implemented, U.S. agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico quadrupled from $8.9 billion in 1993 to $39 billion in 2017. After President Trump renegotiated NAFTA, the International Trade Commission determined that the USMCA would have a positive impact on the U.S. economy and a positive impact on U.S. agriculture. An additional $2.2 billion in exports is expected once this agreement is ratified.

Congress must pass USMCA to preserve the proven successes of NAFTA while enjoying greater access to dairy, chicken, and eggs. The agreement has positive updates for fruit exports, improvements in biotechnology, protected geographical indications, and strengthened sanitary/phytosanitary measures.

All in all, the USMCA is needed to bring more stability to the volatile trade market. Please reach out today to your U.S. Representative to urge their YES vote on this important agreement.

Click Here: ACT NOW for USMCA House Passage

California Ag Today2019-12-25T14:06:59-08:00December 18th, 2019|

USMCA Agreement is Backed By Many

Famers, Restaurants, Chefs Urge Passage of USMCA.

Farmers, restaurants and their customers will all benefit from improved trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico, according to a coalition of California agricultural groups, restaurants and chefs. In a letter sent today to the California congressional delegation, the coalition urged approval for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The USMCA would replace the North American Free Trade Agreement and enhance the movement of food products on the continent. The coalition letter says the new agreement would benefit California farmers by improving market access in Mexico and Canada, and would benefit restaurants by assuring availability of high-quality ingredients and affordable dining experiences made possible through trade with the neighboring countries.

“Restaurants and farmers need each other, and we all need the USMCA to assure the continued strength of the food chain,” California Farm Bureau Federation President Jamie Johansson said. “By helping California farmers and agricultural businesses, and by enhancing North American trade in food and farm products, the USMCA will keep agricultural products affordable for all of us who eat.”

Patrick Mulvaney, chef-owner of Mulvaney’s B&L in Sacramento, urged Congress to support what he called a “vital piece of legislation.”

“Our success in California food is directly related to the hard work and diligence of our farmers,” Mulvaney said. “The USMCA will ensure that their efforts will pay off, for their families, workforce and consumers.”

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 36,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of nearly 5.6 million Farm Bureau members.

California Ag Today2019-09-25T21:55:09-07:00September 25th, 2019|