NFU To Congress: Don’t Let WTO Negotiations Dictate Ag Policy
US - The National Farmers Union board of directors today urged that members of Congress look after the well-being of America’s family farmers and ranchers by developing a farm bill beneficial to rural America and not trade negotiators.
20 June 2007
2 minute read
In a letter sent to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committees, Senate Finance Committee and House Ways and Means Committee the board said, “We are concerned that as a last ditch effort to propel and extend Trade Promotion Authority, the administration may seek a WTO agreement that unfairly and unjustifiably reduces the safety net for our nation’s farmers.”
The board went on to say that using a safety net reduction as bait to entice trading partners does not look after the economic well-being of U.S. family farmers and ranchers.
“As various proposals are debated, neither existing nor potential trade agreements should dictate the terms of the final legislation,” the board said. “Doing so would deny members of the House and Senate, as well as the rural residents they represent, a voice on critical agriculture and rural policy matters.”
The board went on to say that using a safety net reduction as bait to entice trading partners does not look after the economic well-being of U.S. family farmers and ranchers.
“As various proposals are debated, neither existing nor potential trade agreements should dictate the terms of the final legislation,” the board said. “Doing so would deny members of the House and Senate, as well as the rural residents they represent, a voice on critical agriculture and rural policy matters.”
