Agricultural News
Farmers to Congress: Fast Track American Agriculture with Trade Promotion Authority
Thu, 14 May 2015 14:30:44 CDT
California Farm Bureau President Paul Wenger addressed the urgent need for trade promotion authority at a press conference on Capitol Hill Thursday. The American Farm Bureau Federation and state Farm Bureaus across the nation are calling on Congress to secure agriculture's stake in the international marketplace by passing the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2015.
America's farmers and ranchers exported more than $152 billion in farm goods last year alone. But that growth is at serious risk due to non-scientific standards and high tariffs around the world.
"For America's farmers and ranchers to see continued export growth, we must pen deals that knock down trade barriers," Wenger said.
The U.S. has not completed a new trade agreement since 2011. Farmers and ranchers need TPA now to complete important trade negotiations and open new markets around the world. Congress and the administration must work together to shape and set priorities based on actual business conditions. With TPA, Congress provides valuable oversight to the trade agreement process while the administration represents our priorities before other countries.
"Farm exports have a real impact across the country. They create demand for our crops, fruits and vegetables, meat and other products, which in turn helps sustain millions of American jobs," Wenger said. "If we expect to grow agricultural trade, we must plant the seeds today."
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