 |
| Deputy
Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner, left, with NCGA President
Leon Corzine, was the guest speaker at Wednesday's Corn Congress
lunch. |
CAFTA-DR
Remains Hot Topic on Capitol Hill (7-14-05)
The
Central American – Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement
(CAFTA-DR) took center stage Wednesday at the National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA) Corn Congress in Washington, D.C., and on Capitol
Hill.
At a luncheon address
to nearly 200 corn growers, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck
Conner asserted CAFTA-DR is a good deal for all of agriculture.
Acknowledging the differences
the sugar industry has with CAFTA-DR, Conner said the U.S. Department
of Agriculture has negotiated agreement compromises for the sugar
industry that put it a better position than it currently is in.
He asked growers who were heading out for afternoon Hill visits
to urge their members of Congress to vote for the agreement, which
levels the playing field for U.S. agriculture.
Meanwhile, NCGA attended
a CAFTA-DR rally on Capitol Hill with several other agricultural
and industry groups on Wednesday as well. Chairman Bill Thomas of
the House Ways and Means Committee (R-Calif.), Rep. Clay Shaw (R-Fla.),
Eric Cantor (R-Va.) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) spoke at the
event to encourage groups to speak with their constituents about
contacting representatives.
Brady said corn growers’
voices are being heard by congressmen.
“The corn growers
are making a difference on Capitol Hill,” said Brady. “We
have a great relationship with members. They’re well respected.
When people see so much of the world’s markets closed, it
is time to pry them open. The corn growers give a great message.”
June Silverberg, NCGA
director of public policy, said this is a crucial time for CAFTA-DR.
“Urge other growers
to contact their representative as soon as possible,” Silverberg
said. “Our opposition in strongly mobilized. If we don’t
get our message out, CAFTA-DR will be defeated.”
The committee is expected
to vote on CAFTA-DR next week, Silverberg said.