NFU Supports TRADE Act
For Immediate Release: June 4, 2008
Contact: Liz Friedlander, 202-314-3191WASHINGTON (June 4, 2008) – National Farmers Union announced support for the Trade, Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act today. The legislation outlines U.S. trade priorities, seeks to resolve the problems in existing trade agreements and set the foundation for future negotiations.
“Current trade agreements have consistently failed to live up to their promised benefits, encouraging a race to see who can produce the cheapest food and fiber regardless of production standards,” NFU President Tom Buis said. “The TRADE Act defines a plan for a fair trade policy that will allow American agriculture to compete on a level playing field.”
Buis said under the current free trade agenda America’s trading partners are not required to meet the same high labor, environmental, and health and safety standards as American farmers and ranchers. He added that agriculture has often been used as trade bait for other sectors of the economy to achieve favorable trade agreements.
“Agriculture production should be a high priority in trade agreements and must not be used as a bargaining chip. It is imperative that Congress adopt a new trade agenda that recognizes the importance of American agriculture,” Buis said.
NFU is urging members of the House and Senate to support the legislation introduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Rep. Mike Michaud, D-Maine.
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