LEGISLATION TO EXPAND FOREIGN MARKET ACCESS VITAL TO U.S. AGRICULTURE

Washington, DC (October 22, 2001)-Trade Promotion Authority will expand the market for beef - and that is good for America’s cattle producers, said the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). NCBA strongly supports H.R. 3005-the bipartisan Trade Promotion Act of 2001-- and is urging cattle producers to take action.

“Trade Promotion Authority provides a great opportunity to expand agricultural trade,” said Chuck Lambert, NCBA’s chief economist. “Last year alone, U.S. beef exports totaled a record $3.6 billion to markets that have primarily been opened through negotiations subject to Trade Promotion Authority.

“NCBA is urging its members to contact members of Congress and support passage of H.R. 3005,” Lambert said.

Trade Promotion Authority provides a partnership between Congress and the President to achieve the best possible result for U.S. interests in international trade negotiations. With Trade Promotion Authority, the President has the authority to efficiently move forward on trade issues while continuing to consult with Congress. Congress then votes on the final agreement as written with no opportunity to amend. Other countries view this as necessary before they will seriously deal with US negotiators.

“It’s possible to do what is right for the economy, labor and the environment,” said Lambert. “H.R. 3005 requires countries to maintain protections for labor and the environment, but leaves it to U.S. negotiators to decide how to enforce those provisions. “

Leadership in the House of Representatives has indicated H.R. 3005 -- the bipartisan Trade Promotion Act of 2001 -- could be brought to the House floor within the next week or two.

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.