Congressional Trade Caucus' Goals Outlined

November 9, 1999

A group of 37 members of the House and Senate have created a trade caucus for farmers and ranchers. The caucus wants U.S. negotiators to pursue actively a positive agenda for agriculture at the international trade meetings in Seattle.

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), one of the group's co-chairs, says the goal is to have U.S. negotiators pursue policies that allow U.S. farmers and ranchers to compete on equal terms, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

"If the rules are fair, our farmers and ranchers can out-compete anyone, anywhere. We want American negotiators to stand up for our farmers and ranchers and insist that free trade also be fair trade."

Last month caucus representatives met with Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman and gained a commitment that the Clinton Administration's agricultural trade objectives would be top priority for U.S. negotiators.

Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), the other Senate co-chair, says the group chose to focus on increasing market access, eliminating export subsidies and non-tariff trade barriers and to make the operation of state trading enterprises more transparent.

"American agriculture is at a disadvantage in the world marketplace, and it is time for our government to stand up and fight for farmers and ranchers across the country," says Craig.