IFPA Highlights Need for Stable, Rules-Based Trade Ahead of USMCA Review; Cathy Burns Comments

WASHINGTON, DC - Building on the momentum of The Washington Conference, which saw fresh produce and floral industry advocate on key policy issues ranging from nutrition to food safety to global trade, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has released its position on the U.S. - Mexico - Canada Agreement (USMCA), which is slated for its first mandatory review on July 1.

USMCA is an important trade agreement between the three countries, maintaining tariff-free trade for fresh produce and key U.S. inputs while largely preserving market access established under the North American Free Trade Agreement, also known as NAFTA.

Among its core beliefs on trade, IFPA has maintained that fair, open, and science-based trade policies are essential for a thriving fresh produce and floral sector and that strong international trade relationships are critical to ensuring global access to fresh, nutritious food.

“We need stable, predictable, rules-based trade relationships that keep supply moving and markets balanced. When those relationships are disrupted, consumers feel it in availability and affordability,” said IFPA CEO Cathy Burns in the recent release. “At the same time, sustaining strong U.S. production requires addressing the systemic challenges facing growers, from workforce and risk management to market access and innovation, which remain a central focus of IFPA’s policy agenda.”

IFPA supports targeted, data-driven approaches to address trade challenges, including strengthening enforcement of existing trade rules, supporting existing trade remedy laws, and advancing solutions that directly enhance domestic grower competitiveness, rather than structural changes to USMCA.

IFPA remains committed to ensuring strong U.S. domestic production by addressing the root challenges to grower profitability and competitiveness. The Association will continue to advocate for strengthened U.S. production through:

• Agricultural Workforce Reform, including being original endorsers of Chairman Thompson’s Saving Agriculture’s Workforce Act
• Passing the overdue Farm Bill, strengthening specialty crop risk management options, investing in research and innovation, and developing a workable framework for future economic assistance programs
• Increasing U.S. international market access through addressing nontariff barriers and increasing investment in international promotion programs like MAP and TASC
• Increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables in the U.S. through continued nutrition policy engagement, including continued engagement on this year’s Dietary Guidelines

These topics align with the association’s 2026 U.S. Policy Agenda and were the focus of The Washington Conference’s Congressional meetings held last week.