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| National
Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Trade Task Force Chairman and
Nebraska grower Doug Boisen testifies before the House Agriculture
Committee on the impact of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations
on corn farmers. |
NCGA’s
Boisen Tells House Committee Ag Liberalization Hinges on WTO (6-19-03)
Testifying before
the House Agriculture Committee Wednesday, National Corn Growers Association
(NCGA) Trade Task Force Chairman Doug Boisen discussed the impact
of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations on corn farmers.
The hearing was convened
to review multilateral and bilateral agriculture trade negotiations.
“NCGA supports trade
agreements that will open markets for U.S. farmers and increase market
development opportunities throughout the world,” Boisen, a grower
from Minden, Neb., told committee members. “We strongly believe
that future efforts to successfully liberalize international agriculture
markets hinges on the current WTO negotiations.”
For months, WTO negotiators
have been working toward an agreement to finalize agriculture modalities,
a framework for ongoing multilateral farm trade talks. The modalities
would establish a targets for achieving negotiation objectives of
reducing barriers to trade between WTO member countriesframework for
multilateral farm trade talks, or modalities. With the March deadline
to produce a set of modalities elapsed, NCGA is urging negotiators
to reach final agreement by September’s Ministerial meeting
in Cancun.
“One of the most
sensitive yet important aspects of the negotiations will revolve around
the reduction of domestic support levels,” continued Boisen.
“A successful agreement will ensure harmonization of domestic
support levels among developed countries. More important, negotiated
modalities need to provide Congress with the ability to construct
a farm program that meets our domestic objectives while complying
with international agreements.”
The NCGA believes it is
important to provide corn producers with necessary tools to remain
competitive in the international marketplace while promoting rural
development and a vibrant farm sector.
To read Boisen's
testimony in its entirety, click here.