News
Ratifying USMCA is a priority for Congress and agriculture
The ranking member of the House Ag Subcommittee on Livestock
and Foreign Ag says the most important thing Congress can do to help the
livestock and poultry economies is to get a USMCA deal ratified.
During his opening comments, North Carolina Congressman David Rouzer said the agreement is vital to improve the current situation for farmers and ranchers. “According to the International Trade Commission, the increased market access to dairy products with US-specific TRQs – and the elimination of Canada’s Class VI and Class VII milk pricing – will lead to a net increase in US production of almost $227-million,” he says.
Minnesota turkey farmer John Zimmerman says turkey producers
are hopeful the USMCA will improve stagnant turkey market conditions. “Our industry has always had a fantastic
relationship with Mexico,” he says. “And
ratifying this agreement will only improve that bond. The deal also lays the groundwork to send
greater amounts of turkeys sent to Canada.
The agreement didn’t go as far as we were hoping – given their supply
management system for poultry – but it is a modest improvement.”
David Herring, president of the National Pork Producers Council and a North Carolina pork producer, says pork is one of the most successful and globally competitive agricultural goods – but a handful of obstacles are preventing farmers from realizing their full potential. “One of the most damaging threats to the US pork industry has been the punitive tariffs China and other countries have imposed,” he says. “Market analyst projected 2018 to be a profitable year for hog farmers – unfortunately, restricted market access from trade disputes caused a loss to our farmers.”
The committee also heard testimony from: Holly Porter, executive director of the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.; David Will, with the Chino Valley Ranchers; Kelley Sullivan Georgiades, owner and operator of Santa Rosa Ranch; and Steve Salmon, representing the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association.
