West Florida News

U.S. Representatives Greg Steube and Daniel Webster, both Republicans from Florida, have reintroduced legislation aimed at prohibiting the importation of commercially produced fresh citrus fruit from China. The proposed law, known as The U.S. Citrus Protection Act, seeks to prioritize domestic growers by banning these imports.

"Florida citrus farmers are a cornerstone of U.S. agriculture," said Rep. Steube. "Every year, the Sunshine State delivers fresh produce and countless byproducts that feed America and the world. Yet, foreign adversaries flood our markets with high-risk, pest-laden citrus imports, threatening the livelihood of American farmers and their families." He emphasized that grocery stores in America should stock fruits harvested domestically and that his bill aims to ensure Florida farmers come first.

Rep. Webster echoed these sentiments: "Florida’s citrus growers have fed Americans for generations and remain a cornerstone of our state’s agricultural economy," he stated. "For too long, China has flooded the market with risky imports, threatening American farmers and food security." According to him, The U.S. Citrus Protection Act is designed to put American agriculture first and reduce dependency on foreign sources for food supply.

Florida's agricultural sector is significant to its economy, with approximately 44,400 farms covering over 9.7 million acres statewide. This sector contributes notably to Florida's $1.2 trillion economy with $8.88 billion in annual sales reported in recent years.

The full text of the bill is available for public reading.