Agriculture Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority | October 19, 2001
The Agriculture Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority today released the following letter, signed by 82 groups, in support of HR 3005, the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001. Every Senator and Representative will receive a personally addressed copy of this letter.
October 19, 2001
Honorable J. Dennis Hastert U.S. House of Representatives 2369 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-5201
Dear Representative Hastert:
We urge you to support HR 3005, the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001.
The U.S. food and agricultural sector already depends heavily on access to foreign markets. With 96% of the world's consumers residing outside U.S. borders, additional growth opportunities lie largely abroad. To expand our share of world markets, however, we need stronger international disciplines on trade-distorting subsidies and improvements in market access. These changes can only be achieved through trade agreements negotiated with strong, effective U.S. leadership.
That's why the food and agricultural organizations listed below support Congressional approval of HR 3005, the "Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2001."
All segments of the U.S. food and agricultural sector -- farmers, ranchers, processors, suppliers, manufacturers and traders - gain from expanded trade opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products. U.S. exports have already increased under trade agreements such as the WTO Agreement on Agriculture. But U.S. trade negotiators cannot make much more progress, particularly in broad-based talks in the WTO, without a bipartisan mandate. HR 3005 provides that mandate.
We recognize the difficulties of crafting TPA legislation that considers valid labor and environmental concerns without jeopardizing the fundamental objective of trade liberalization. We believe HR 3005 strikes a reasonable balance on these controversial issues. Although we might prefer certain provisions in the bill, ideally, to have been drafted differently, we nevertheless feel strongly that HR 3005 must be passed.
The rest of the world is moving ahead with their own trade agreements and alliances. Let's not just get on board - let's lead.
Please vote for HR 3005.
ADM AgriBank American Crop Protection Association American Farm Bureau Federation American Feed Industry Association American Forest and Paper Association American Frozen Food Institute American Meat Institute American Soybean Association Animal Health Institute Agricultural Retailers Association Biotechnology Industry Organization Blue Diamond Growers Bunge North America Cargill, Incorporated Central Soya Company CF Industries, Inc. Chocolate Manufacturers Association CHS Cooperatives CoBank Corn Refiners Association Dairy Farmers of America Diamond of California Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Dupont Elanco Animal Health Farmland Industries, Inc. FMC Corporation Food Distributors International Food Marketing Institute Grocery Manufacturers of America Idaho Barley Commission IMC Global Independent Community Bankers of America International Dairy Foods Association International Ice Cream Association Kansas Cooperative Council Kansas Fertilizer and Chemical Association Kansas Grain and Feed Association Land O' Lakes Louis Dreyfus Corporation Milk Industry Foundation National Association of Wheat Growers National Barley Growers Association National Cattlemen's Beef Association National Confectioners Association National Corn Growers Association National Cheese Institute National Chicken Council National Council of Farmer Cooperatives National Food Processors Association National Grain and Feed Association National Grain Trade Council National Milk Producers Federation National Oil Seed Processors Association National Pork Producers Council National Potato Council National Renderers Association National Sunflower Association National Turkey Federation Nebraska Cooperative Council North American Millers' Association Northwest Horticultural Council Oklahoma Fertilizer and Chemical Association Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association Pacific Northwest Grain and Feed Association Pet Food Institute Pioneer Hi-Bred International Syngenta nkist Growers Sweetener Users Association Texas Grain & Feed Association The Fertilizer Institute The Rice Millers' Association Transportation, Elevator and Grain Merchants Association U.S. Apple Association U.S. Canola Association U.S. Dairy Export Council U.S. Wheat Associates U.S. Rice Producers Association U.S. Rice Producers' Group Wheat Export Trade Education CommitteeAgriculture Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority:
