Hon. E. Clay Shaw, Jr.
U. S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Shaw:

We are writing to make known our position on Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), formerly known as Fast Track. On April 3, 2001 the industry leadership, by unanimous consent, agreed to oppose this legislation. In the past we have twice opposed Fast Track and most of the Florida Congressional Delegation has remained committed to vote against such legislation.

Since enactment of NAFTA, over 300 winter vegetable farmers have gone out of business in Florida alone. We are now learning that hundreds of smaller producers in southern States also suffered similar fate. We are further disappointed by the billions of dollars that have been paid to producers from apples to cranberries during the last two years. Florida has not received one cent of the supplemental appropriations to compensate our farmers for losses suffered by these unfair foreign competition practices.

Last year alone (1999-2000), our tomato growers in Florida lost $112 million. Our farmers employ over 100,000 workers, but no one seems to care about them either. We simply cannot compete with third world countries paying $4.00 per day in wages. Our industry cannot survive unless it is protected as a sensitive and strategic food industry.

We wish that in the spirit of free trade and better foreign relations, we could support such initiative, however, realistically we know we cannot survive under the present scenario. We urge you to vote no for Trade Promotion Authority.

Sincerely,

Paul DiMare,
Chairman