AG COALITION MAINTAINS FOCUS ON FAST-TRACK

WASHINGTON, D.C., Nov. 24, 1997 -- The AG For Fast-Track Coalition is gearing up to continue the fight for Fast-Track authority early next year when the 105th Congress resumes. In preparation for the battle, the coalition sent letters to President Bill Clinton, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky and Congressional leaders thanking them for their support. The letter also pointed out that U.S. agriculture wants the administration to have tools necessary to fight trade battles and negotiate successful trade agreements.

In its letter, the coalition indicated that a broad, clean Fast-Track is needed that is not limited to certain sectors or regions. The letter also points out that American agriculture needs a leadership position at the negotiating table and refers to 1999 talks on agriculture that will resume in the World Trade Organization: the Free Trade Agreement of the America's and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum negotiations. To build on the progress achieved in the Uruguay Round, it suggests Fast-Track is needed to give American negotiators the ability to be active and effective.

Said Max Deets a cattle producer from Beloit, Kan. and president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, "Our competitors have been very aggressive in negotiating trade agreements and in opening new beef markets, so it's critical that the United States stays in the game. NCBA maintains strong support for Fast-Track because the beef export market is the fastest growing part of U.S. beef demand."

With 96 percent of the world's consumers living outside the U.S. and growing demand for agricultural products worldwide, the U.S. is poised to be a leading international supplier of agricultural products. Without Fast-Track opportunities, the future of U.S. agriculture is being forsaken Deets said.

The AG For Fast-Track Coalition is comprised of 68 agricultural groups and businesses representing leading agriculture commodities and processed foods. Initiated in 1898, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the marketing organization and trade association for America's one million cattle farmers and ranchers. With offices in Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C., NCBA is a consumer-focused, producer-directed organization representing the largest segment of the nation's food and fiber industry.

Attachments: Letter and Coalition List

November 20, 1997

The President
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

This letter is to express thanks to you and your administration for consideration extended to agricultural trade issues in 1997. The past year has been a landmark one for our industry in many ways, with farmers and ranchers adjusting to a new farm policy that places greater emphasis on access to export markets.

Our industry also has had to face challenges, especially in the global arena in 1997. The use of unilateral economic sanctions has increased, lengthening the list of countries to which U.S. farm products cannot be sold. Several trade disputes remain unresolved because we lack access to appropriate venues for their successful resolution. As competing nations scurry to conclude free trade agreements among themselves, we become less competitive in those markets. Moreover, to the extent that we exclude ourselves from participating in the formulations of new trade agreements, U.S. priorities -- such as our efforts to lower trade barriers, rely on sound science to guide health and safety regulations, end market distortions and apply the principles of fair commercial trade -- are placed at risk.

In order for our priorities to be addressed, American agriculture needs to be actively engaged in market opening agreements, whenever and wherever they occur. In 1999, for example, talks on agriculture will resume in the World Trade Organization to build upon the progress achieved in the Uruguay Round. American negotiators also need to be active and effective in upcoming bilateral negotiations with countries like Chile and for the regional Free Trade Agreement of the Americas and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation talks. Fast track, as embodied in S. 1269 and H.R. 2621, laid out a process for all of those initiatives to move ahead in a concerted fashion.

Your administration has added people and given new attention to agricultural trade matters within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Now those people need to be vested with the authority to negotiate on a range of issues. That is why American agricultural groups worked tirelessly in support of fast track legislation this year. That is why we will continue to work hard for prompt consideration of broad, clean trade negotiating authorities like those contained in H.R. 2621 and S. 1269 in the second session of the 105th Congress. We do not want to settle for authorities limited to sectors or regions. We want to give our negotiators all the tools they need to fight trade battles on our behalf and negotiate successful trade agreements across the board.

Very simply, fast track is critical to American agriculture being able to compete and prosper in the years ahead. We ask your help in facilitating a dialogue that can ensure Congressional approval of unencumbered, comprehensive negotiating authorities as soon as possible.

Respectfully,

AG FOR FAST TRACK

Agricultural Retailers Association
American Crop Protection Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Frozen Food Institute
American Horse Council
American Meat institute
American Soybean Association
Animal Health Institute
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Blue Diamond Growers
Bunge Corporation
Cargill, Inc.
Cerestar USA
Central Soya Company Inc.
Chocolate Manufacturers Association
Coalition for a Competitive Food and Agricultural System
ConAgra. Inc.
CoBank
Continental Grain Company
Corn Refiners Association, Inc.
Distilled Spirits Council
Farmland Industries, Inc.
The Fertilizer Institute
Food Distributors International
General Mills, Inc.
Grocery Manufacturers of America
International Dairy Foods Association
Louis Dreyfus Corporation
Miller's National Federation
National Association of Animal Breeders
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Broiler Council
National Cattleman's Beef Association
National Confectioners Association
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Food Processors Association
National Dry Bean Council
National Grange
National Grain and Feed Association
National Grain Sorghum Producers
National Grain Trade Council
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Renderers Association
National Sunflower Association
National Turkey Federation
Nestle USA, Inc.
North American Export Grain Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Pacific Northwest Grain and Feed Association
Ralston Purina Company
Rice Producers (MS, MO, TX)
Snack Foods Association
United Egg Association
United Egg Producers
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Beet Sugar Industry
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Feed Grains Council
U.S. Meat Export Federation
U.S. Wheat Associates, Inc.
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
USA Rice Federation
Wine Institute

                  Total: 68