Murray, Cantwell, Reichert, Newhouse Call For Help For Cherry Growers

On Friday, members of Washington’s congressional delegation called on the USDA to provide sweet cherries equal access to relief measures being developed.  Senator Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, and Representatives Dave Reichert and Dan Newhouse called on the USDA to help local growers negatively impacted by retaliatory tariffs.

Earlier this summer, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the USDA would provide up to $12 billion to help producers harmed by tariffs.  However, the USDA has not released the details of which commodities will receive help.

In the letter to Perdue, the members of Congress said, “While the priority for our growers remains an end to the trade disputes, our cherry growers are estimating they will experience up to $86 million in damages from trade wars during the 2018 season, and they deserve the same assistance afforded to producers of other agricultural commodities that have been negatively impacted by retaliatory tariffs,” the members of Congress said in a letter to Secretary Perdue.

“Because sweet cherries are highly perishable, the season is over and damages from increased tariffs and prices are hitting growers, we urge you to implement the support our cherry growers are requesting,” the members of Congress said.

Click Here to read the entire letter.

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