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NCGA Reiterates Trade Policies as U.S. Continues WTO Negotiations
July
25, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact:
Mimi Ricketts,
NCGA, 636-733-9004, ext. 112
Keira Franz 202-628-7001
ST.
LOUIS, July 25, 2002--In the wake of a World Trade Organization (WTO)
negotiations update to National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) this
week by Ambassador Allen Johnson, chief agriculture negotiator for the
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the NCGA is
reiterating its trade position.
NCGA supports the
comprehensive negotiating position of the U.S. government in the WTO
negotiations on the three pillars of the agricultural negotiations:
increasing market access, reduction or elimination of export subsidies,
and reduction of trade distorting domestic support.
Johnson outlined
the United States proposal for trade reform during the NCGA semi-annual
Corn Congress, held in Washington, D.C., July 22-23. In his address,
he told NCGA members that the administration wants to address those
three pillars as a complete package.
In addition, NCGA
believes the United States leadership during the Doha Round negotiations
in Geneva, Switzerland, is essential for US agriculture.
“We need a
level playing field for our commodities to compete in the world market,”
said Tim Hume, NCGA president. For example, U.S. tariffs on agricultural
goods average 12%, but in the rest of the WTO member countries, the
average tariff on agricultural goods is 62%.
NCGA trade policy
supports worldwide elimination of export subsidies and barriers to free
trade and reductions in market distorting subsidies. NCGA supports comprehensive
trade negotiations to assure the greatest possible benefits for US agriculture.
The export of corn products is vital to the nation’s economy,
its balance of payments and the profitability of corn production. The
development and maintenance of fair and open global trade practices
and policies are essential.
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The National Corn
Growers Association mission is to create and increase opportunities
for corn growers in a changing world and to enhance corn's profitability
and usage. NCGA represents more than 32,000 members, 25 affiliated state
corn grower organizations and hundreds of thousands of growers who contribute
to state checkoff programs.
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