Representatives Austin Scott, Sanford Bishop, and David Scott Celebrate Resolution to Years-Long Bipartisan Battle for Georgia’s Pecan Farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, House Agriculture Committee Vice Chair Austin Scott (GA-08), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee David Scott (GA-13), and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) applauded the decision of India's Government to reduce tariffs on U.S. pecan exports by 70%. The decision reflects over a decade of bipartisan, collaborative efforts on behalf of America's pecan growers.

"Much of the global supply of pecans is grown right here in Georgia, and I commend India's decision to reduce tariffs on our pecan exports and allow us into their growing market," said Rep. Austin Scott. "This is more than a win for pecan farmers, this is a win for Georgia, and it couldn't have been done without the hard work of my colleagues Representatives Sanford Bishop and David Scott."

"For the last several years, bipartisan Members from pecan-producing states have advocated for the reduction of tariffs on U.S. pecan imports to India. As a Member from Georgia and as a leader on the House Agriculture Committee, the importance of these reductions for our pecan farmers has long been clear," said Rep. David Scott. "Thank you to the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for the years of hard work that led to this outcome. I look forward to working with Ambassador Tai and Secretary Vilsack, alongside newly-confirmed Chief Agricultural Negotiator Doug McKalip and Under Secretary Alexis Taylor, on securing more trade wins for the agriculture industry."

"The announcement that India will lower the tariffs on U.S. pecans by 70% is a big deal for Georgia pecan growers and the American Pecan Industry. It is the culmination of years of bipartisan work by the Georgia Congressional delegation, particularly Congressman David Scott, Austin Scott, and myself," said Rep. Sanford Bishop. "Multiple meetings with U.S. Trade Representatives throughout three administrations, meetings with Indian Prime Minister Modi, India's ambassadors to the U.S., and Indian-American groups finally paid off. The recent support of our two, new U.S. Senators helped seal the deal and we are grateful for the team effort. Most importantly, we celebrate this new opportunity to boost the Georgia pecan industry and expand our Georgia economy."

Georgia is the top pecan producing state in the U.S. and the local industry is valued at $250 million.

Rep. Austin Scott was recently named Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, where he serves with Rep. David Scott, the committee's Ranking Member. Rep. Bishop is the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.

Reps. Austin Scott and David Scott and Sanford Bishop have worked together to support the U.S. pecan industry on the international stage. They have also been at the vanguard of crafting federal programs and allocating funds to support the industry's well-being, including agricultural research combating disease and invasive species.

Rep. Austin Scott traveled to India in April of 2022 to meet with Ambassadors to advocate on behalf of Georgia's pecan growers for lower tariffs.

Rep. Austin Scott previously led a bipartisan letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai stressing the importance of removing existing barriers to the export of U.S. agricultural products, specifically pecans. Representatives Bishop and David Scott joined Austin Scott in sending this letter, and other Georgians who signed the letter included: Buddy Carter (GA-01), Rick Allen (GA-12), and Andrew Clyde (GA-09).

As a senior leader on the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Bishop secured much needed funds to help pecan growers impacted by natural disasters, such as recent hurricanes and extreme weather events in 2017 and 2018.

Samantha McLeod, the Executive Director of the Georgia Pecan Growers Association, commended Rep. Austin Scott saying, "This is great news for the pecan industry. Congressman Scott was essential in advocating for the industry in meetings with USTR and the Indian government over the last few years. We appreciate his consistent support of the pecan industry in Georgia, which leads the nation in production annually, and are excited about the opportunity to expand the U.S. pecan export market to India. Pecans are grown in 15 states, including Georgia, and have a significant impact on these rural communities-the reduction of the tariff on U.S. pecan exports to India will ensure that our industry continues to expand and thrive."

Marianne Brown, Executive Board Member of the National Pecan Federation and Pecan Grower in Leesburg, Georgia, said, "We greatly appreciate Congressman Bishop's tireless efforts on reducing the tariff on U.S. pecan exports to India. Pecans are an essential portion of the rural economy in Georgia and opening the export market to India will ensure our industry continues to grow and thrive. Congressmen Sanford Bishop, Austin Scott, and David Scott are great supporters of the pecan industry and have done essential work with USTR, the Indian government, and other members of Congress, including Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, to advocate for lower tariffs on pecan exports to India."

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