Grainnet

Rapid City, SD—National Farmers Union (NFU) delegates adopted March 16 a special order of business calling on policy makers to consider the unique challenges facing rural America when debating policy solutions for trade regulation.

“Past unfair trade policies have failed to live up to their proponents’ promises, placing an undue burden on America’s family farmers and ranchers,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.

Since the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), over 38,000 U.S. small farms have gone under, overall U.S. farm income has continued to decline and the U.S. trade deficit has grown to over $400 billion under this agreement.

National polling data shows that NAFTA-style trade policies are opposed by a majority of voters across all demographics.

NFU delegates called on policy makers to support fair trade and advocate the structure of future and pending trade language and other acts that will allow U.S. agriculture to be a net exporter as a result of the agreement.

“With a proper trade policy in place, NFU hopes for the following positive outcomes: a prevention of currency manipulation; elevated labor standards in countries with lower standards; equalized food safety standards to those of the U.S.; increased global competitiveness; and decreases the loss of jobs in the United States,” said Johnson.

For more information, call 202-314-3191.

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