Federal Advocacy

Fair Trade

Historically, trade agreements including the ATPDEA (Andean Trade Preferences and Drug Eradication Act) and the U.S. – Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement have put the interests of South American flower farmers before those of American flower and foliage farmers. In addition, the United States government has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to help grow the floral industries of other countries. For example, the U.S. government helped establish the Colombian floral industry as a way to combat the cultivation of illicit drugs and in 2018, the U.S. government announced that it would help Kenya double its floral exports to the United States. More recently, USTR agreed to add roses to the list of products eligible for GSP treatment. As a result, Ecuador can now ship roses to the United States duty free. CAG advocates for “fair trade agreements” not “free trade agreements,” where the interests of all American workers and businesses come first.

The law (the “J-List exceptions” of 19 CFR § 134.33) requires that for imported flower bunches and bouquets, country of origin should be labeled on the outermost container. In response to CAG’s concerns, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) released a “Marking Cut Flowers” Fact Sheet in June 2020 to clarify the existing law and how to enforce it.

In 2021, CAG’s advocacy efforts led to the CBP creating a robust educational campaign outreach to importers and the enforcement of the labeling law at the border.

If you find imported unlabeled bunches, flowers or foliage at your local supermarket, CBP encourages you to submit an E-Allegation.

The American Grown Act

On July 2023 Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) introduced the Don Young American Grown Act to require that specified federal agencies only procure and display cut flowers and foliage grown in the United States. The bill has been re-named and introduced in the honor of the late Congressman from Alaska, Don Young, a champion of the Alaska and American cut flower and foliage community. Congressman Young’s untimely passing left a mark on a bi-partisan cadre of colleagues who are seeking to pass this bill in his honor. In the House of Representatives, the bill is being co-sponsored by: Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA); Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Rep. John Duarte (R-CA).

In the U.S. Senate, Senator Dan Sullivan (D-AK) was joined by the late Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Angus King (I-ME), and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the American Grown Act. Due to Senate rules, at this point in a Congressional session new legislation cannot be introduced in the Senate, however support of adoption of this bill exists throughout the halls of Congress.

Please follow Certified American Grown on our social media channels and subscribe to newsletters for timely updates as the American Grown Act progresses through Congress.

American Grown Flowers & Foliage Month

American Grown Flower and Foliage Month is an annual celebration of the domestic farming community highlighting the bounty grown on U.S. farms and the contributions they make to their employees, communities, the industry, and country more broadly.  Celebrations have included online and digital inspiration sharing, in-store promotions at retailers around the country, and through events and activities at farms and other venues throughout the U.S.

As of July 29, 2021, bi-partisan resolutions recognizing the contributions of American farms has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. This continued support spanning over six years is encouraging.

In the Senate, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) have expressed their support of the industry with the resolution introduction and in the House of Representatives, multiple representatives co-sponsored H. Res. 542 expressing support of American Grown Flowers and Foliage Month, including sponsor, Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), and co-sponsors Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Rep. Don Young (R-AK).

Rep. Carbajal spoke in support of the Resolution on the House floor noting, “Senator Feinstein and I introduced a resolution to designate July as American-Grown Flower and Foliage Month to encourage consumers to shop local and buy flowers with a certified American-grown label. By passing H. Res. 542, we will honor the beauty this industry brings to our homes year-round and help keep our American-grown flower industry prosperous.”

Congressional Cut Flower Caucus

The bipartisan Congressional Cut Flower Caucus was created to help address, support, and represent the economic interests and opportunities facing America’s flower and foliage farmers. These Members set the agenda and educate Congress on the cultural and economic value of American cut flower and foliage farms. The current co-chairs are Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Rep. Don Young (R-AK), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA). There are currently 43 Members.

Check the link above to see if your representative is on the caucus. If not, ask them to join!