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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NCGA Applauds House Decision to Support WTO Case
Expresses ‘extreme disappointment’ in groups opposing the
legislation
June
11,
2003
Contacts:
Tracy Taylor Grondine, NCGA, (202) 628-7001
Mimi Ricketts,
NCGA, (636) 733-9004
WASHINGTON (June
11, 2003) — The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauds
the House of Representatives for passing Tuesday H. Res. 252, supporting
a case in the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the European Union’s
(EU) moratorium on biotechnology. The resolution passed 339-80.
“The House
sent a strong message to the European Union,” said Yoder. “Members
of the House from both sides of the aisle and from all regions of the
country stood up for farmers today by supporting H. Res. 252. We want
to thank Majority Whip (Roy) Blunt, and all those who voted for the
legislation for their continued hard work on behalf of American agriculture.”
NCGA strongly supports
a WTO case against the illegal moratorium, which has locked out exports
from the United States since 1998. According to the Foreign Agriculture
Service, U.S. corn exports have diminished in the last five years from
a high of 1.56 million metric tons to approximately 23,000 metric tons.
It is estimated the moratorium has cost U.S. corn exports $1 billion
since its inception.
NCGA also expressed
extreme disappointment in organizations that opposed the legislation.
“It is unfortunate when groups that purportedly represent farmers
argue against innovations that help farmers become more profitable and
better stewards of the land,” said NCGA President Fred Yoder.
At the behest of
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), several groups led a campaign to oppose
the resolution.
“Unfortunately,
these groups and their supporters are repeating the tired rhetoric of
the Europeans,” continued Yoder. “Fortunately, Congress
and the American people are tuning them out. They recognize the great
opportunity of biotechnology, which allows us to do more with what we
have.”
H. Res. 252 was
introduced by Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and cosponsored by Speaker
Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), House
Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Ranking Member
Charlie Stenholm (D-Texas), Reps. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) and Dennis
Cardoza (D-Calif.).
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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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