U.S. Sen. Rick Scott introduced legislation Monday to prohibit the importation of commercially produced fresh citrus fruit from China, a move he says is intended to protect domestic growers and safeguard the nation’s agricultural integrity.
The bill, titled the United States Citrus Protection Act, would bar citrus fruit originating from the People’s Republic of China from entering U.S. markets, regardless of existing trade laws. If enacted, the measure would take effect 90 days after becoming law.
In a statement announcing the bill, Scott cited concerns over citrus greening, a disease that has devastated Florida’s citrus industry and is believed to have originated in China. He also pointed to what he described as unfair trade practices by the Chinese government and the need to reduce U.S. reliance on agricultural imports from geopolitical adversaries.
“My bill stands up for American citrus growers by stopping the import of these products from Communist China,” said sen. Scott. “Every American can take a stand too – we can make the choice to STOP buying anything made in Communist China and instead support American growers, American jobs, and American products.”
The bill follows a letter Scott sent earlier this month to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, in which he urged the administration to take stronger action on a range of agriculture-related priorities. Among the issues highlighted were expanded disaster aid for growers, increased oversight of foreign ownership of farmland, and continued federal investment in citrus greening research and crop protection efforts.
Rep. Greg Steube is sponsoring companion legislation in the U.S. House.
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