Ag Groups Want FTAs Passed
U.S. needs to quit dragging their feet.
Compiled by staff
Published: May 4, 2010
Several organizations with ties close to the agriculture industry told reporters Monday it is time for Congress to pass the Colombia, Panama and South Korea free trade agreements. One of those organizations was the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF President Bob Stallman called for Congress to stop dragging its feet. Stallman said Congress' inaction on the FTAs is costing U.S. agriculture lost market share and competitiveness.
In Colombia, where the U.S. was once the top agriculture exporter, market share is being taken over by other countries. Panama has just completed an agreement with Canada and South Korea has completed negotiations with the European Union and is currently negotiating with Canada. Stallman points out that between 2008-2009 there was almost a 50% drop in U.S. exports. The three FTAs combined represent almost $2.5 billion dollars in additional exports.
Also voicing their support for passage of the FTA's was the National Corn Growers Association. President of the Maryland Grain Producers Association Chip Bowling says that corn farmers are in the process of losing a market in which they have traditionally performed well. Instead of seeing increasing markets and new opportunities for corn growers, they are fighting to keep our markets away from international competitors.
"For agriculture, Congress' inaction on these agreements is no longer about the potential gains, but now about preventing losing what we already have," Stallman said. "These losses are not just about dollar amounts, but the negative impact they will have on our farmers and rural communities."
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Tagged: farm, Farm Bureau, National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, fta
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