NCGA Joint Trade Policy A-Team Briefed on WTO Status (7-11-06)

With the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations in Geneva last week coming to a close without an agreement, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Joint Trade Policy A-Team met today with Jason Hafemeister of the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) office who gave a briefing on the negotiations and the USTR’s next steps.

U.S. agriculture has been a strong voice in its support of the Doha round and the issue of market access, something the USTR has noted is valuable support as they negotiate the policies that will directly impact producers.

Leon Corzine, NCGA chairman and member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Trade Advisory Committee noted the importance of representatives from USTR briefing corn growers on the progress being made.

“We appreciate Jason and the negotiators for taking time to speak with our Joint Trade Policy and Public Policy action teams regarding the WTO,” said Corzine. “The updates on trade negotiators are extremely important to corn growers. The USTR’s insights are invaluable as our delegates move forward with our policy discussion. The WTO will definitely affect our future.”

WTO negotiators have pegged the end of July as the deadline for concluding the Doha Round talks. Market access is a key component for corn growers and American agriculture.

“It was very encouraging for us to hear the USTR’s team is keeping market access at the front of the negotiations,” Corzine said. “We are listening but holding the line on important issues, such as market access.”