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NCGA Talks Trade at International
Sweetener Symposium (8-9-01)
The
18th Annual International Sweetener Symposium in Sun Valley, Idaho,
wrapped up Wednesday after three days of discussion on topics such as
trade policy, sweetener industry effects on the U.S. economy and the
recent NAFTA panel ruling on high fructose corn syrup.
National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President-Elect and Walsh, Colo., corn
grower Tim Hume represented corn grower interests at the meeting.
"We
talked about trade policy, the farm bill and the status of the sweetener
industry -- both in the U.S. and around the world," said Hume.
He
added that discussions definitely benefited corn growers. "It allows
us to understands other points of view in public policy," he said,
"and it also shows us some of the intricacies involved in trade
negations."
In
a related development, a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
panel recently ruled that Mexican antidumping duties on U.S.-produced
HFCS are illegal. Hume said the ruling has economic benefits to both
corn growers and the U.S. economy as a whole.
"The
economic impact of (HFCS) is in the area of $9 billion," he said.
"It's a very important industry."
Last
reviewed August 9, 2001
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