Congressman Davis Meets with Eastern N.C. Tobacco Farmers

Spring Hope, N.C. - Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)visited TNT Family Farm in Spring Hope to meet with eastern North Carolina tobacco farmers and discuss the impact of trade policies on agriculture and rural communities across eastern North Carolina.

[Congressman Don Davis visits TNT Family Farm in Spring Hope, N.C.]

"Consistent markets are most crucial to stability. Farmers' livelihoods are tied to trade decisions that they have no control over," said Congressman Don Davis."Our farmers play an essential role in supporting our local economies and sustaining communities across eastern North Carolina."

[Congressman DonDavisspeaks with farmers at TNT Family Farm.]

Eastern North Carolina farmers shared their top concern is market access. While several of the tobacco farmers expressed concerns about being left out of any assistance package, their main interest was keeping markets open because currently, markets are not supporting production costs. There was strong support for identifying new international and domestic buyers. Other topics included rising input costs, the H-2A farm worker program, access to farm credit, and product pricing.

Earlier this month, Congressman Davis sent a letter to USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative urging the administration to ensure that flue-cured tobacco growers receive fair consideration in any relief efforts tied to ongoing trade disputes. The letter calls for a solution that ensures equitable treatment for tobacco producers.

[Congressman Don Davis sits down with tobacco farmers to discuss trade disputes and federal support.]

"North Carolina's tobacco growers must not be punished. They deserve the same level of support as other producers impacted by global market disruptions," said Congressman Davis.

Congressman Don Davis serves as a member of the House Agriculture Committee and as Ranking Member on the Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development Subcommittee, which has partial jurisdiction over the U.S. Department of Agriculture, overseeing several rural development programs supporting rural communities, including rural hospitals.

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