NCGA
Praises Johanns for Urging Agriculture to Be Bold in Trade Agreements (10-07-05)
The National Corn Growers Association praised
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns for his comments this week where
he raised concerns about the ability of the farm bill to withstand
rulings at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the need to enter
trade negotiations with a strong position.
Johanns, speaking at the Commodity Club meeting in
Washington, D.C., emphasized the need to be bold in responding to
changes in world trade agreements and
summarized observations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
farm bill forums held across the country. The forums provide farmers
and ranchers the opportunity to express their opinions on farm policy.
Johanns noted U.S. farm policy has been challenged by Brazil and
other countries that argue U.S. farm programs encourage overproduction
and depress commodity prices worldwide. Earlier this year, the WTO
ruled against some U.S. cotton subsidies stating they are illegal
under the program.
Johanns said, "We can sit back and watch
as our farm policy is disassembled piece by piece, or we can begin
a discussion about how to craft farm policy that provides a low-risk,
meaningful safety net for our farmers and ranchers.”
Commenting on Johanns’ speech, NCGA President Gerald Tumbleson
said, “The secretary showed he is fully engaged, and when it
comes to developing the administration’s agriculture policy,
Johanns is a ‘hands on leader.’ His call to be bold
has been heard. I’m particularly pleased that he is saying
that U.S. negotiators must secure market access for U.S. farm products
overseas and that other nations must reduce their tariffs and subsidies.
Only then can we agree to changes in our policy”
Tumbleson noted that when market access and trade distorting support
is fully addressed by other nations, agriculture must be ready to
take advantage of opportunities and willing to look at our farm programs.
“The secretary got it right for U.S.
agriculture interests and he gave it to us straight. He laid out
the direction he plans to take in shaping the future of farm policy.”
Johanns’ comments came the week before
U.S. trade representatives begin another round of negotiations
at the WTO talks.