The NOA tracks several issues in Washington D.C. that directly affect our nation’s onion growers and related suppliers. Below is a list of current issues:
Trade is very important to the onion industry while currently at seven percent of the crop we are working hard to increase exports. NOA supports trade rules and trade agreements that are FAIR to the US producers.
Panama free trade agreement- While we are operating under a free trade agreement between the U.S. and Panama, Panama is not following the agreement by imposing regulations such as not accepting U.S. onions (at current time) more than 75 days after harvest. The number of days has fluctuated in the past year many times and also windows that onions can be imported into the country which has caused has caused loss of money and product to U.S. growers.
Preclearance for Dutch onions shipped into the U.S.- The Netherlands is going through a process for pre-clearance for inspections of Dutch onions into the U.S. This would mean onions from Europe could be imported into the U.S. without going thur any U.S. APHIS inspection process.
The National Onion Association would be against granting pre clearance for importation of onion (Allium cepa) bulbs for consumption from the Netherlands into the entire United States. The U.S. industry cannot take the risk of the aphid Myzus cymbalaria Stroyan getting into the USA!. Aphids may never on their own directly cause problems in dry bulb onions in the US, but (multiple species) are known to transmit a virus that can cause yellow dwarf disease in onions. The U.S. already has the problem of the allium leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma) which we know originated on the European continent. The EU has less and less options as far as pesticides to fight such pests and the U.S. must continue to have onion shipments inspected at U.S. ports of entry by APHIS.
Nematodes in the Order: Tylenchida, Family: Anguinidae (Ditylenchus dipsaci) – Nematodes in this Family can be plant parasitic and gall-forming. Obviously, if there is the potential for nematode species in this Family to be imported along with onion bulbs and could establish in the U.S., we can’t afford it. We already have some plant parasitic nematodes in the U.S. and the only way to control them is to use an organophosphate insecticide at planting, like oxamyl, which can be harmful to the environment and adds to the current expenses our onion growers spend on pesticides.
Mexico- Truckloads of onions being imported from Mexico have continued to increase dramatically in the last years. This increase begs the question are food safety practices being followed and verified by FDA? Organic onions from coming from Mexico is a prime example.
The National Onion Association Encourages Agricultural Export Trade to Cuba Cuba imports more than $2 billion in food each year, less than fifteen percent from the United States. We would also like to see an expanded presence of USDA officials in Cuba.
Market Access- NOA supports full funding of Market Access and Foreign Market Development Programs
Immigration and Labor—Farmers and shippers /packers need a reliable and dependable skilled workforce. Agriculture work is challenging and often seasonable with transit labor needed.
More often than not we cannot find American workers to work in agriculture.
NOA supports immigration reform, a complete immigration reform bill consisting of 3 core principles: stopping illegal immigration, providing a dignified solution for immigrants living in America whom have been working in the Agriculture sector, and strengthening the American workforce and economy. NOA is in favor of the of legislation to freeze the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR).
EPA-EPA must understand that we are losing access to agriculture chemicals faster than we are getting new technologies. Farmers must have the tools to grow and protect crops. FIFRA must be protected and scientifically applied.
Recent finalized regulations on class 8 trucks (2027-2032 model years) would force farmers to purchase electric trucks that would cost half a million dollars more per truck! This is a electric vehicle mandate by the government.
Interregional Research Project No. 4 or (IR-4) NOA strongly supports the IR-4 Without this vital program it would be next to impossible to collect the data necessary to get chemicals approved for minor crops that protect plants from pests and diseases. Minor crops refer to nearly all crops except for cotton, corn, soybeans, and grain crops such as wheat, oats, and rice.
Foreign supplier verification program –NOA continues to meet with FDA and USDA to discuss the FSVP. This program puts the exact same regulations on imported crops coming into the U.S. as U.S. growers have to comply with however, NOA has serious doubts weather the rules are being enforced equally on these imports. NOA advocates that when invasive plants and species are found in imported crops that it not is left up to the states to identify, interdict, and quarantine. There is also the food safety issue. Imported food coming into the U.S. must be verified safe for the U.S. consuming public. This is a federal government responsibility.
Please support HR 9263 –Establishes a refundable 30% tax credit for specialty crop producers who invest in innovative ag technology projects. Credit would expire after 10 years
Please support Death tax repeal act of 2025
NOA supports the Farm bill process and the inclusion of Minor crops support. We fully support trying to get a vote on the bill soon.
