The American Blueberry Growers Alliance's (ABGA) stance on imports has not changed over the years - serious harm has been inflicted on American farmers, especially those in Florida and Georgia.

But what is President Biden's position on this issue? That is the position that the Section 201 investigation will ultimately decide with respect to blueberry imports. Even if the International Trade Commission (ITC) decides in favor of ABGA with its vote on Thursday, the final decision rests with Biden and his administration.

“When people asked me about this from the start, I felt like we were going to win at ITC, but does the president sign it or not? Maybe it's a 50-50 coin toss, I don't know. People smarter than me can figure that out, ”said Ryan Atwood, who lives in Mount Dora, Florida and grows 56 acres of blueberries, manages another 350 acres, and is co-owner of the largest packing plant in the southeastern United States. .

Virtual audience with ITC

The ITC decision on Thursday comes a month after ABGA members and industry and congressional leaders testified in a virtual hearing before ITC on the negative impact blueberry imports from Mexico, Peru, Chile have had. , Argentina and Canada in the national market.

If a serious injury is found, ITC will make a recommendation. But the president will make the final decision.

“The final decision will come from the president's desk. Regardless of which side of the aisle you sit on, we all like to eat. We all like to eat blueberries,” said Jerome Crosby, Georgia blueberry grower and president of the American Blueberry Growers Alliance. “Food is probably the most partisan issue in America when it comes down to it. No matter what stage of life you come from, you like to eat something. That makes the farmer a friend of every human being. I think anyone who fits into that category of food consumption will have an interest in the American farmer staying in their shoes."