Maine blueberry growers, Pacific fishermen petition for assistance

Maine blueberry growers, Pacific fishermen petition for assistance    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has received a petition from the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine calling for trade adjustment assistance.
   The blueberry growers allege that imports have contributed to the decline in domestic producer prices of 20 percent during the marketing period beginning July 2002 and ending June 2003.
   Similarly, the agency received a petition from the United Fishermen of Alaska, Puget Sound Salmon Commission and Salmon for All for trade adjustment assistance. The petition alleged that imports of fresh, chilled and frozen farmed salmon contributed to the decline in domestic producer prices of 20 percent or more in 2002.
   The FAS administrator has 40 days to determine whether these producers are eligible to apply to the Farm Service Agency for adjustment assistance cash benefits and for technical help at no cost.