04/13/05 C.A.F.T.A.-D.R. heats up

04/13/05 C.A.F.T.A.-D.R. heats up

Over the last two weeks, the debate over the fate of the Central American Free Trade Agreement, and its counterpart F.T.A. between the U.S. and Dominican Republic, has heated up. In fact, it has almost become like a tennis match as Congressional consideration of ratification of C.A.F.T.A.-D.R. approaches. It started with a press conference two weeks ago featuring U.S.D.A. and U.S. ag trade negotiation officials discussing the benefits of C.A.F.T.A.-D.R. and how concerns raised by the sugar industry over potential negative affects of the deal have been addressed. But still sugar industry officials remain steadfastly opposed. And in the past two weeks, they have found support for their cause. The National Farmers Union has been beating the drum loudly in opposition of C.A.F.T.A.-D.R.. And they have been joined by some powerful political allies such as several state commissioners and directors of agriculture and high ranking members of Congress. It was that growing opposition that led the proponents of C.A.F.T.A.-D.R. to show it too was a coalition with some big names and big power. On Monday, U.S.D.A. Secretary Mike Johanns joined Under Secretary J.B. Penn, U.S. Chief Ag Trade Negotiator Allen Johnson, and representatives from over fifty ag based organizations at a rally in Washington D.C. JOHANNS: This coalition has the power to spread the word about how exactly agriculture will benefit from the approval of C.A.F.T.A. The supporters ranged from the National Association of Wheat Growers and American Farm Bureau Federation to the U.S. Apple Association and National Pork Producers Council. Summing up what the rally was about, and what the agreement is about for agriculture, is Len Corzine of the National Corn Growers Association. CORZINE: The underlying theme here is that this will put the United States in a role as a preferred supplier of our ag products and not a residual supplier, and that's what we want and really need. Both sides are expected to continue their fierce battle over the next two weeks and beyond, in the halls of Congress. That's according to Michelle Reinke of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, whose organization by the way is a C.A.F.T.A.-D.R. supporter. REINKE: This week, Senate Finance has a hearing on the agreement and next week, House Ways and Means Committee have a hearing on this agreement as well. And there are a lot of people talking about it here in D.C. and out in the country, and felt it was a good time to have our voices heard and get out there and talk about it as well.
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