FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 28, 2005

National Corn Growers Association Applauds House Approval of CAFTA-DR

ST. LOUIS (July 28, 2005)  -- In a vote that the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says will level the playing field for U.S. agriculture and advance fair trade, the House of Representatives today passed the Central American – Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), 217-215.

“The House sent the right message in passing CAFTA-DR; the United States is committed to free and fair trade and economic growth among our nations,” said Leon Corzine, NCGA president.  “This agreement creates significant and much-needed opportunity for U.S. farmers, businesses consumers and our nation as a whole.”

CAFTA-DR provides immediate duty-free access to more than half of all U.S. agricultural exports to the region and will enhance U.S. agricultural exports by $1.5 billion when fully implemented.

NCGA and other agriculture organizations have long touted the benefits this agreement provides to agriculture, including:

• Increasing agriculture exports by $900 million annually
• Immediate elimination of duties on more than 80 percent of U.S. exports
• Increasing exports of U.S. manufactured exports by approximately $3 billion annually
• Opening markets to give our growers access to important markets

Corzine noted the impact CAFTA-DR will have on future agreements. “Passage of CAFTA-DR helps future agreements in addition to strengthening the U.S. negotiator’s hand in the World Trade Organization and the Doha Rounds.”

Corzine credited NCGA’s grassroots for working tirelessly to gather support needed in the House to pass the agreement. “Our grassroots should be applauded for coming out in force for this trade agreement. It is the right agreement for our industry and all of agriculture,” he said.

“This agreement ensures U.S. growers will have access to markets in the CAFTA-DR countries and will provide products to the world marketplace. It not only levels the playing field on tariffs, but also gives us the opportunity to be the premier supplier to these important and developing democracies within our own hemisphere.”

The Senate and House agreements are not amendable, and the agreement now goes to President George W. Bush for signing into law.

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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.