Agricultural News
Free Trade Agreement Movement Welcomed by American Farm Bureau
Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:48:44 CDT
With a recent statement released from the White House about the importance of the Trade Adjustment Assistance and the Free Trade Agreements with Korea, Colombia and Panama, many agricultural organizations are hoping this will cause some movement and action with the free trade agreements.
Bob Stallman, President of American Farm Bureau Federation, released the following statement in response to the recent Free Trade Agreement movement in Congress.
"The American Farm Bureau welcomes the news from the Senate Finance Committee that it is moving forward with a mock markup of the Korea, Colombia and Panama trade agreements.
"Combined, the three FTAs represent nearly $2.5 billion in new agriculture exports and could generate support for up to 22,500 U.S. jobs. Further, passing these trade agreements would immediately eliminate most trade tariffs that have continued to plague U.S. farmers and ranchers.
"In addition, we believe that Trade Adjustment Assistance, which is also up for consideration, plays an important role in advancing a bipartisan trade agenda. Earlier this year, Farm Bureau joined other leading industry associations in signing a joint letter on the importance of TAA.
"Time is of the essence. It's important that Congress acts quickly to vote on the package by August recess. If not, we stand to lose this opening and it will come at a cost to America's farmers and ranchers. After more than four years, we cannot afford to miss this opportunity.
"The United States can no longer sit idly by while U.S. competitors are striking their own deals and gaining an advantage over the U.S. Farm Bureau urges Congress to act swiftly and pass the bipartisan trade agreements by August recess. The consequences of inaction are real."
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