Tomato wars head toward peaceable end

A long-running tomato trade war that pitted U.S. and Florida growers against Mexican importers may finally come to an end, as the U.S. Commerce Department has announced an agreement to regulate and control prices.

For months, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has appealed to President Obama to help state and national tomato growers address trade rules that allow Mexico to import cheaper produce. On Tuesday, the U.S. Commerce Department announced a new price policy, according to Sunshine State News.

“I am pleased the American tomato farmer’s concerns have been substantially addressed by this new agreement,” Mr. Putnam said, according to the report.

A trade industry representing Mexico criticized the new policy, however. In a statement reported by Sunshine State News, Lance Jungmeyer, the president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, said the new policy will give the “U.S. industry more room to maneuver, [and] plenty of room to sell at 10 cents below … and essentially keep Mexico out of the market.”

The new trade policy is open to public comment through Feb. 11, according to Sunshine State News.

© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.