NCGA Grower Joins USTR Chief Ag Negotiator in Farm Meetings &
Work Day in Nebraska
(03-31-05)
Todd Wojtalewicz, a member
of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Joint Trade Policy
A-Team, joined Ambassador Allen F. Johnson, the U.S. Trade Representative’s
(USTR) chief agriculture negotiator on an agriculture workday and
meeting Tuesday near Scottsbluff, Neb.
Wojtaleicz and
others attending the event discussed trade issues important to the
agriculture industry. The farm meetings and agriculture workday were
11th in a series of trade outreach events to America’s farmers.
The ambassador met with corn, soybean, dry edible bean, pork, cattle,
sorghum, wheat and sugar producers.
“This was
a great opportunity for growers to meet with Ambassador Johnson and
discuss how trade impacts farm operations in our area,” said
Wojtalewicz. “These types of first-hand discussions are critical
for both growers and the USTR. Our trade officials need to see the
impact trade has on our operations and livelihoods in order to negotiate
the best possible agreements on behalf of corn growers and U.S. agriculture.”
Johnson began
the agriculture workday series in 2003 to get first-hand knowledge
from farmers and ranchers. Johnson said the meetings provide USTR
with essential information that helps officials work effectively on
behalf of agriculture.
Previous workdays included
visits to an Iowa hog farm; a Montana cattle ranch; a week-long series
of workdays on fruit, nut and vegetable farms in California; wheat,
milo, and corn farms in Kansas; the Kansas State Fair; a corn/soybean/pork
farm in the Davenport, Iowa, area; a rice farm in Missouri; a cotton
and catfish farm in Mississippi; corn/soybean/livestock farms near
Mason City, Iowa; dairy and soybean producers and processors in Minnesota;
and cotton, peanut, and poultry operations in Georgia.
According to the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, exports of farm products help boost Nebraska’s
farm prices and income. In 2003, Nebraska’s farm cash receipts
were at $10.6 billion, and agricultural exports were estimated at
$3 billion, making agricultural exports responsible for 29 percent
of the state’s farm income.
As the 2nd largest source
of farm cash receipts at over $2 billion, Nebraska corn producers
benefit from the FTA. U.S. corn exporters face duties up to 35 percent,
and the World Trade Organization permits duties as high as 75 percent.
Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic will eliminate their duty on
yellow corn immediately. The other countries will provide preferential
access through individual duty-free TRQs totaling 1,151,259 metric
tons initially, growing by 5 percent per year as the over-quota duties
are phased out over 15 years (10 years in the case of Guatemala).
All currently applied duties
on corn products (including corn flour, corn gluten feed, corn oil
and high fructose corn syrup) will be phased-out in 15 years. Nebraska
is a leading producer of a broad variety of agricultural products
including corn, beef, pork, soybeans and wheat.
“Growers were able
to listen and pose questions on how the importance of the Central
America and Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) for
agriculture and corn growers and the impact it will have for Nebraska
growers specifically,” said Wojtalewicz. “Nebraska and
other ag states will benefit once CAFTA-DR is passed and the president
signs the bill. Growers will see expanded business opportunities,
a more level playing field and more opportunities to compete with
other countries by eliminating high tariffs and other barriers on
most agricultural products.”
Last reviewed
March 31, 2005