Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis has written U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asking for help with trade restrictions affecting the expansion of the territory’s agricultural industry, according to Government House.
Francis previously reached out to the Office of the United States Trade Representative for help lifting prohibitions that prevent V.I. farmers from exporting produce outside of the territory.
Francis said he hopes his communication with both agencies will start a dialogue that will lead to greater economic opportunities for local farmers and that he sees the removal of trade restrictions as a lifeline for the territory’s agricultural industry.
“The long term sustainability of our agricultural industry largely depends on our farmers’ ability to reach new markets,” Francis said. “We were once the breadbasket of the Caribbean, and our farmers have made significant investments of their time, money and effort as they have painstakingly worked to revive our agricultural sector.”
“They deserve the benefit of a level playing field with the same opportunities to ship their products just like their counterparts in the mainland and across the Caribbean," he said.
According to Francis, lifting trade restrictions not only benefits farmers, but could lead the way for the economic growth of other local industries.
“Our economic wellbeing is linked to our ability to create new revenue opportunities, and the territory must continue to aggressively explore every possible angle that enables economic growth and sustainability of these initiatives.”
