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Companion bill introduced on shipping reform

The Ocean Shipping Reform Act, co-sponsored by Republican Senator John Thune of South Dakota and Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, serves as a companion bill to the one passed by the House.

House co-sponsors say they hope the bills head to conference quickly.

During AgriPulse’s recent webinar on the supply chain crisis, Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota called for congressional action to reform shipping standards.

“If you are going to use an American port, what does that mean to the United States’ commerce?” he asks.

California Congressman John Garamendi says ag exporters are in the process of losing their markets and more pressure is needed to make carriers leave ports loaded.

“I know a half a dozen farmers and shippers in my district that may very well not survive this year because they cannot get their products on a ship,” he says.  “Thirty days from now isn’t going to suffice for at least one major agriculture shipper in this state.”

Other sponsors of the Senate version include Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

Numerous ag groups, including the U.S. Dairy Export Council, U.S. Meat Export Federation, International Dairy Foods Association, and National Milk Producers Federation, are praising the bill.

Head of USDEC Krysta Harden says the measure takes strong strides to address many of the challenges dairy exporters have faced, including securing export vessel bookings and combatting unfair detention and demurrage charges.  They are calling for a swift passage.