Manuel Lujan: “Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise today to offer an amendment that will protect New Mexico chile farmers from unfair…”

“Thank you, Madam Chair. I rise today to offer an amendment that will protect New Mexico chile farmers from unfair marketing practices. Lately we've seen a disturbing trend where marketers and retailers falsely use the unique quality and brand of New Mexico chile to misleadingly advertise their products. New Mexico is a special place where we take pride in our agricultural products. In particular, we take pride in our chile. We even spell it differently, Madam Chair. We spell it C-H-I-L-E, contrary to the more popular spelling C-H-I-L-I most associated with Texas style chili. Traveling around New Mexico, I've heard the plight of New Mexico farmers. There is concern with the importation of peppers, of chili powders from out of State and even from other countries that are hurting our producers in New Mexico. It's a concern that they may be put out of business, and it's a concern that is attacking the authentic New Mexico chile brand. This unfair practice has led to decreased revenues for New Mexico chile farmers, who work all summer and diligently to raise their crops for harvest in the fall months and whose prices are undercut by imported products that falsely advertise as New Mexico chile. Madam Chair, my amendment is simple and would not impose any costs on the Federal Government.…”