Floral industry professionals from across the United States and South America gathered in Washington , D.C. , on March 17–18 to defend key industry precedence during the Society of American Florists ' ( SAF ) 44th one-year Congressional Action Days ( CAD).The effect convey together more than 50 growers , wholesalers , florists , suppliers , and maker who met with 88 congressional offices to address legislative priorities , including tariff relief , agricultural labor reform , port inspection improvements , and floriculture enquiry funding .
Florida Delegation : Edwin Perez , Jet Fresh Flower Distributors ; Scott and Kristin Gilliland , Gardens America ; Ana Ramirez , Valley Springs ; Oscar Fernandez , Equiflor ; JD Leucoma , Deliflor ; Ricardo Samper , Serrezuela Flowers ; Carl Bauer , Armellini Express Lines
Key protagonism prioritiesOne of the top priorities was the reauthorization of the Generalized System of Preferences ( GSP ) , which would restore responsibility - liberal status for Ecuadorian roses — an natural action that could relieve the floral industry an estimated $ 40 million each year . Attendees also put up concerns about additional tariff on floral products and agricultural remark from countries like Mexico , Canada , and Colombia . These tariffs — on cut flowers and essential materials like atomic number 19 used in fertilizer — vex a serious threat to the survival of the fittest of ten of thousands of small , family - owned floral business across the U.S.
Illinois deputation , Marvin Miller , AAF , Ball Horticultural ; Ed Cronin , Teleflora ; Traci Dooley , AAF , Hortica – a Sentry mark company ; Janet Justus , FTDIn addition to trade - relate business , attendees also called for improvements to theH-2A guest prole program , which many growers rely on for confinement , but which stay on dearly-won and hard to navigate . embrasure inspection hold were also a press issue , as anticipated staffing reductions within USDA ’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service , as a answer of the Administration ’s planned Reductions in Force ( RIF ) , threaten the timely processing of floral freight . SAF exhort lawgiver to check proper staffing at major ports of entryway . reenforcement for ongoing investing in the Floriculture and Nursery Research Initiative ( FNRI ) round out the advocacy agenda , with player emphasizing the grandness of continued research in pestis management , climate adjustment , and Department of Labor - save mechanisation .
Connecting with lawmakersSAF members reported engaging and productive conversations with legislative stave — include a meeting with Senator Cory Booker ’s office , where farming labor and enquiry funding were key topics .
Chris Drummond , AAF , PFCI , of Penny ’s by Plaza Flowers in Philadelphia and a past SAF prexy , along with Colleen Fagundus , director of floral for the International Fresh Produce Association , found a receptive and knowledgeable audience in the senator ’s lead counsel . “He was very well - versed on strong suit crop , " Drummond noted . Their conversation focused on decisive issue face the floral industry , especially the challenges of the H-2A guest worker platform and the urgent need for inviolable , dependable Labor Department .
A portion out voice for a strong impactFor many meeter , CAD was a powerful monitor of the enduringness of collective protagonism . “Going into these office , you recognize everyone here is fighting for flowers , " sound out Ana Ramirez of Valley Springs , a first - time attendee . " They sleep with what you ’re looking for , and that ’s empowering . “Lori Wheat , AAF , of Lafayette Florist , SAF ’s president - elect , emphasized the grandness of personal connections . " We want our legislator to know who we are . We ’re a small folk business , and we ’re looking for a partnership — just as we support our communities every day , we hope our lawmakers support us . "
For more data : SAFsafnow.org
