Stenholm Says Farm Law Criticism 'Ridiculous'

August 6, 2002

In an opening address at the International Sweetener Symposium, Rep. Charles Stenholm (D-TX), the ranking Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, said that "criticism of the farm (law) from the national and foreign press is ridiculous." He said the bill gives the United States a better bargaining position as world trade talks resume.

Stenholm said, "The farm (law) says clearly that our government intends to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our producers in the world trade arena." He said the farm legislation enables U.S. trade representatives to work toward "negotiating a level playing field." He said the concept of "free trade" is essentially a myth. What will be sought in the negotiations, he said, is "fair trade."

He noted that many countries gain trade advantages by "devaluation of currency." He cited, as an example, wheat growers in Canada who have about a 40% price advantage in the sale of their wheat over their American neighbors because of the low value of the Canadian dollar. Fertilizers and chemicals are 20-30% cheaper in Canada than in the United States for this same reason, Stenholm said.

Emphasizing the need for coalitions and alliances in agriculture, Stenholm cautioned the group that "September will be an interesting month" when Congress gets back in session, and agriculture appropriation measures will be debated. He warned that if additional funds are voted for disaster and other programs, there will be efforts to take the money out of the farm law appropriation. He acknowledged that U.S. sugar policy is designed to operate at no cost to the taxpayers, so it becomes "difficult to take money out of it."