FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:
Tracy Grondine, AFBF, 202-406-3642
Audrae Erickson, CRA, 202-331-1634
Mimi Ricketts, NCGA 636-733-9004, ext. 112
Cheri Johnson, USGC, 202-326-0625

U.S. Corn Coalition Disappointed in Canadian Ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C (March 15, 2006) — The U.S. Corn Coalition today expressed disappointment in the final ruling by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), upholding a provisional duty of $1.65 per bushel on U.S. corn. The decision comes in response to allegations that U.S. dumping and subsidizing of grain corn harms Canadian producers.

According to the CBSA, it will continue to impose the duty on U.S. corn imports until the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) concludes its inquiry regarding injury to Canadian production. The tribunal's public hearings will begin March 20, with a decision expected by April 18.

The coalition, which includes the National Corn Growers Association, U.S. Grains Council, Corn Refiners Association and American Farm Bureau Federation, issued testimony Feb. 23 to the CITT stating that evidence does not show Canadian growers have been injured by imports of grain corn from the United States. In fact, the evidence indicates that imports of U.S. corn have declined substantially over the 2002-2005 time period.

The coalition has continually maintained that U.S. imports have not been the cause of Canadian corn growers’ adverse economic or financial circumstances; at the same time that U.S. corn imports declined by nearly 50 percent, an estimated 8 million metric tons of additional Canadian feed barley and wheat were put on the market in 2004-05 leading to a decline in feed prices. If duties on U.S. corn remain in place, significant harm will be felt by Canadian corn users as that country does not produce enough corn for its domestic consumption.

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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.