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ACGA calls for defeat of inequitable Trade Promotion Authority (July 26, 2002 -- CropChoice news) -- Calling the measure inequitable, Keith
Dittrich, President of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA), today called
for defeat of the Trade Promotion Authority legislation moving toward final
debate in both houses of the U.S. Congress. The Tilden, Neb. corn farmer
explained that until existing trade agreements have been drastically improved to
provide equity to U.S. farm families, there should be no further expansion of
those agreements.
"The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has devastated farmers
from the wheat fields of Canada to the corn fields of Mexico and from the tomato
patches of Florida to the milking parlors of California," explained
Dittrich. "And until we can accomplish a major overhaul of NAFTA to ensure that it is
fair for farmers and farm workers and that it helps sustain family farms and
the rural economy, ACGA will oppose the negotiation and ratification of the
expansion of that trade agreement."
The Trade Promotion Authority legislative initiative, (a.k.a. "Fast Track)
would delegate the authority to negotiate treaties, vested in the Congress by
the Constitution, to the Executive branch in order to negotiate the proposed
Free Trade of the Americas (FTAA) treaty.
"Over the past twenty five years, American corn farmers have been forced to
relinquish 68 percent of their buying power by misdirected trade agreements
and policies in pursuit of mythical increases in exports which were, in turn,
promised to bring prosperity to rural America and lower food prices to
America's consumers," said Dittrich. "While we farmers endured a reduction in
what we receive for a bushel of corn - that's 56 pounds of food mind you - from
an inflation adjusted price of $5.91 to $1.90, American consumers endured a
whopping 250percent increase in the cost of food. We all lost over the past
quarter century because of unacceptable and inequitable trade policies. When
you find yourself in a hole, the first rule is to quit digging and find out
how to improve your situation."
"We have heard all the promises about NAFTA and GATT. They have been lies.
We are not buying same old worn out empty words again," added Dittrich. "As
we look back at previous trade agreements, we have been correct in our
opposition, while the proponents have been wrong in their predictions."
"As trite as it may sound, I am extremely serious when I declare that we
must have fair trade if we are to truly have free trade," Dittrich explained.
Dittrich said ACGA would support trade reforms that: | |
