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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NCGA Endorses Legislation Supporting WTO Case
Corn Growers Applaud Efforts of Talent and Blunt
May
27,
2003
Contact: Tracy Taylor
Grondine, NCGA, 202.628.7001
WASHINGTON (May
27, 2003)—The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today endorsed
legislation by Missouri congressmen Sen. Jim Talent (R) and House Majority
Whip Roy Blunt (R) supporting a World Trade Organization (WTO) case
against the European Union (EU) moratorium on biotechnology. The Senate
and House companion concurrent resolutions (S.R. 154 and H.R. 252) were
introduced last week.
“NCGA applauds the
efforts of Sen. Talent, Rep. Blunt and their colleagues,” said
NCGA President Fred Yoder. “We appreciate their commitment and
continuing support to U.S. agriculture.”
Since 1998, U.S.
corn exports have diminished from a high of 1.56 million metric tons
to approximately 23,000 metric tons last year, according to the Foreign
Agriculture Service. It is estimated U.S. corn growers have lost sales
approaching $1 billion due to the moratorium.
“The Bush
administration made the correct decision by moving forward with a case
challenging the moratorium in the WTO,” wrote Yoder in letters
of endorsement to Talent and Blunt. “Contesting the moratorium
is even more important as the European Parliament drafts labeling and
traceability regulations for products derived from biotechnology. We
cannot accept one form of protectionism in place of another.
“We should
not let governments and groups opposed to biotechnology erect trade
barriers based on misinformation and conjecture,” continued Yoder.
“We must defend and communicate the tangible benefits of the technology
to those who need it most.”
Additional sponsors
of the legislation include: Missouri Sen. Christopher Bond (R) and Blanche
Lincoln (D-Ark.), House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), House Majority
Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), House Agriculture Chairman Bob Goodlatte
(R-Va.), House Agriculture Ranking Member Charlie Stenholm (D-Texas)
and Reps. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) and Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif).
To read full versions
of the letters, visit the NCGA web site at www.ncga.com.
# # #
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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