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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: July 1, 2005
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CONTACTS:
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Mimi
Ricketts, NCGA, 636-733-9004, Ext. 112 |
National
Corn Growers Association Applauds Senate Approval of CAFTA-DR
ST. LOUIS (June
30, 2005) -- The Central American – Dominican Republic Free Trade
Agreement (CAFTA-DR) cleared the Senate today by a 54 - 45 vote, a move
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Leon Corzine said
is for the good of U.S. agriculture.
“Our grassroots
membership has spoken, and we applaud Senate leadership for listening
to the voice of agriculture,” Corzine said, in reference to the
grassroots action by corn growers who called their senators urging passage
of the bill that will secure trade standings by leveling trade tariffs
to balance the high duties on commodity products. “However, our
work is not yet over. The House will soon take up CAFTA-DR and legislators
need to hear from their constituents on the importance of this bill.”
The House Ways and
Means Committee approved the bill 24 – 11 today; the House is
expected take up CAFTA-DR after its July 4 recess.
CAFTA-DR would create
a free trade area between the United States and the Dominican Republic
and five Central American countries--Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, and Nicaragua. CAFTA-DR would increase agriculture exports
by $900 million annually, make more than 80 percent of U.S. exports
duty free immediately, increase U.S. manufactured exports by approximately
$3 billion annually.
“This positions
U.S. agriculture and corn growers as suppliers of choice. CAFTA-DR improves
our access to these markets. Corn growers should contact their legislators
by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard,” Corzine said.
Corn growers can
contact their House representatives by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard
at 202-225-3121.
# # #
The National Corn Growers Association’s mission is to create and
increase opportunities for corn growers. NCGA represents nearly 33,000
members, 45 affiliated state organizations and hundreds of thousands
of growers who contribute to state checkoff programs. For more information,
log on to www.ncga.com.
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