The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced appointments to the newly established Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee.

USTR and USDA established the committee to provide advice and recommendations on measures to promote the competitiveness of producers of seasonal and perishable produce in the Southeastern United States. The committee members will offer expertise in areas such as growing and selling seasonal and perishable agricultural products and the needs and market dynamics affecting producers of seasonal and perishable agricultural products in the Southeastern United States.

The establishment of this committee comes after Members of Congress requested an examination of issues in a September 8, 2022 Section 301 petition, and follows the October 23, 2022 USTR announcement that, in coordination with USDA, it would pursue avenues to assist Southeastern producers.

The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to supporting specialty crop growers through this committee, as well as efforts such as USDA’s Specialty Crops Competitiveness Initiative, which is providing tools and resources to increase the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops in foreign markets, enhance domestic marketing, and improve production and processing practices. USTR and USDA will work with the Committee and Members of Congress to develop possible administrative actions and legislation that would provide real benefits to Southeastern seasonal and perishable agricultural producers.