Dunn challenges barriers to agricultural trade

Tariffs and trade are hot topics in Washington these days, and two Congressmen have come together to propose a way to eliminate unnecessary trade barriers. Panama City Republican Neal Dunn and California Democrat Jimmy Panetta are tackling the trade barriers that are hurting American exports and hindering innovation and advancement in agricultural technologies.

They have introduced The Growing American Food Exports Act, which amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990. The measure would update a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service program that funds efforts to harmonize international reviews of agricultural production technologies.

"In North Florida, agriculture is vital to the economy, and our farmers are using new technologies to grow food that is more resistant to pests and disease, require less water, and cost families less at the grocery store," Dunn said in a release. Unfortunately, government regulations abroad often lag behind innovation on American farms, which prevents local farmers from selling their abundance to America's trading partners,"

"Removing these trade barriers and strengthening relations with our global partners will level the playing field for North Florida's agricultural products."

While both states have a significant agricultural component to their economies, Panetta also focused on the technology benefits contained in the bill.

"The central coast of California is a national leader in agriculture research and innovation. From USDA's Agriculture Research Service station in Salinas to our local colleges and universities, our researchers are constantly improving the way that our food is being grown through technological advancements," Panetta said.

"The bill I introduced with Congressman Neal Dunn authorizes USDA to promote these emerging agriculture technologies abroad and ensure that trade regulations are based on sound science."