As WTO Gets Under Way, NCGA Agenda Aims for Market Access (12-14-05)

As the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Hong Kong got under way this week, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is continuing its drive to secure market access for U.S. growers.

NCGA President Gerald Tumbleson, Chairman Leon Corzine, Corn Board member Ron Litterer and Director of Public Policy June Silverberg have been participating in negotiations with other nations’ ministers and speaking at agriculture-related press conferences in the hopes of progressing toward trade policies that will help farmers.

Corzine, who spoke to reporters as part of the AgTrade Coalition, a group of more than 100 U.S. agriculture producers, processors and agribusinesses, said NCGA will be working toward trade policies that will help agriculture, noting that growers are hoping to reach agreements on true market access before any other concessions are made.

“We’ve got to have access to the world marketplace for corn and products made from corn and soybeans,” said Corzine. “Ninety-five percent of the markets for our products are outside of our borders.”

Food aid and ending export subsidies are also on the agenda at the talks

Corzine also stated the issues of greater market access will have significant impact as the United States goes into discussions on the next farm bill.

NCGA hopes the negotiations continue to progress in Hong Kong. Tumbleson told reporters this week he is cautiously optimistic about the representatives coming to the table to move the agreements forward.