NCGA News














FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chief USTR Ag Negotiator Ambassador Johnson to Provide Keynote Address at
Commodity Classic

February 21, 2003

Contact:
Gary Bradley (NCGA) 636-733-9004
Jill Wagenblast (ASA) 314-576-1770

(ST. LOUIS) February 21, 2003 -- Chief Agriculture Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Allen Johnson will be the keynote speaker at the Commodity Classic General Session Friday, Feb. 28, in Charlotte, N.C.

Commodity Classic is the eighth annual convention and trade show of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and American Soybean Association (ASA).

“Ambassador Johnson has worked with corn growers very closely, especially on trying to solve issues such as the high fructose corn syrup tax in Mexico, as well as the challenges we’re facing in the European Union concerning their moratorium on biotechnology,” said NCGA President Fred Yoder. “He’s been a champion to us and has provided us vital assistance with those and other issues facing the nation’s producers.”

ASA President Dwain Ford, added, “For U.S. soybean producers, exports and international market access are critical components of profitability. The United States Trade Representative’s office is highly instrumental in dealing with trade issues and protecting U.S. soybean export markets, and we are pleased that Ambassador Allen Johnson is a featured speaker at this year’s Commodity Classic General Session.”

Commodity Classic offers a wide variety of educational seminars and learning sessions that provide producers with the latest industry information on topics such as trade, biotechnology, marketing, renewable fuels and the future of agriculture.

A complete listing of the trade show exhibitors and educational seminars, as well as other event details, can be found on the Commodity Classic web site, www.commodityclassic.com. For more information, call 636-928-3700.

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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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