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April 21, 2008

ISSUE 1215

TOMATO EXCHANGE’S REGGIE BROWN REBUTS SLAVERY CHARGES

In response to charges that Florida tomato growers were mistreating farmworkers, Reggie Brown, executive vice president of the Florida Tomato Growers Exchange, told members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee April 15 that “we are on the same side of this issue. Florida’s tomato growers abhor and condemn slavery. Charges that tomato producers have enslaved workers are false and defamatory,” said Brown.

The committee heard testimony regarding living and working conditions of migrant workers, and questioned Brown regarding the penny-per-pound initiative where restaurant chains would be willing to pay a penny more for every pound of tomatoes as long as the money was paid directly to those workers. Brown explained that the program was practically and legally flawed.

Brown also told the committee that the Exchange is willing to work with local authorities to address issues of concern, and would not object to the Government Accountability Office investigating conditions among tomato workers.
 

ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S RAP-UP

(Members-Only articles are indicated in bold.)

TOMATO EXCHANGE’S REGGIE BROWN REBUTS SLAVERY CHARGES

FARM BILL FUNDING STILL UP IN THE AIR

BABCOCK RANCH CONTROVERSY FUELS MOVEMENT TO PURCHASE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS

DADE COUNTY FARM BUREAU SEEKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SPECIALTY CROP GRANT FUNDS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FDACS AND FNGLA

PRODUCER MEMBERS - PLEASE HELP FFVA’S FUTURE EFFORTS BY RETURNING SURVEY
   
  

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