Page 22-Com Talk, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 9,1993 Growers Help Form Coalition To Push WASHINGTON. D.C. The National Com Growers Association (NCGA) and 100 other farm groups officially formed Ag for NAFTA, a coal ition that will press Congress to ratifythe North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The trade agreement will link the U.S., Canada, and Mexico into the world’s largest free trade zone. Randy Cruise, NCGA presi dent, noted that without NAF TA’s ratification, U.S. com growers will continue to face the uncertainty of Mexico’s import licensing program that can cut off com imports at any time. “NAFTA replaces that restrictive program with a tarrif-rate quota that would eventually result in unhindered free trade of com. And it would most likely, permanently restore Mexico’s ranking as one of our top five U.S. com customers,” said Cruise. NAFTA will clearly help our nation’s economy, the farm economy, and our national sec urity, attests the Nebraska com grower. “By the end of the NAFTA transition period, farm exports to Mexico will expand by $2-2.5 billion. This increased trade will create about 50,000 new jobs, in addi tion to the 81,000 now depen dent on farm trade with Mexico.” Ag for NAFTA will actively lobby for the trade pact’s ratifi cation. It will also help clear up public misconceptions about NAFTA. “Critics of NAFTA should closely study the $ 18-billion trade surplus agri cultural exports alrelady pro vide to our economy,” said Cruise. “Other sectors should seek to emulate agriuculture’s success by looking beyond our O* / pQC^ Built for big capacity delivery and heavy duty operation. One-fast roll operation gives more capacity with less horsepower, provides self-cleaning action with wettest material. Also available with blower discharge on direct drive from roll shaft. borders for new markets.” Some groups within agricul ture have expressed reserva tions about NAFTA. But the Ag for NAFTA coalition is confident that the entire farm sector will benefit. Ag for NAFTA noted that the trade pact provides a lengthy transi tion period to enable die most sensitive commodities to adapt. It points out the U.S. holds competitive advantages ST. LOUIS, Mo. The National Com. Growers Asso ciation (NCGA) is suggesting the U.S. Department of Agri culture (USDA) consider addi tional program extensions to aid producers beset by severe flooding and other weather problems. During a board meeting, NCGA directors from 24 states outlined steps USDA could take to further ease the blow of the calamitous weather. In a letter to USDA Secret ary Mike Espy, NCGA Presi dent Randy Cruise outlined these requests: • Offer farmers another six month extension of their 1992 crop loans. Transportation snarls caused by severe flood ing are seriously limiting the opportunity for farmers in the upper Midwest to sell their crops and repay the loans. • Allow producers to file disaster .assistance claims on the basis of farm tracts, as opposed to entire farm num bers. This has been a problem for producers who were required by their local ASCS office to arrange their opera tions under a single number. Cruise commended Secret- MORE CAMCITY MODEL ATG-A in farm production. And the U.S. also has highly efficient processing industries and a more advanced infrastructure. Mexico’s inherent limitations will prevent it from threatening U.S. farm producers, asserts the coalition. Cmise says NAFTA’s critics haven’t sufficiently weighed the potential cost of rejecting the trade agreement. “There’s no advantage of rejecting our Corn Growers Cite Additional Assistance Needs ary Espy and the Administra tion on behalf of the board of directors for their speed in reacting to the plight of the far mers and diligence to make Master Corn Growers Association Do You Recognize Tills Grain F We offer complete services for large farm and commercial grain handling & drying including: 3D Drawings To Scale, Sales & Construction, Service & Large Parts Inventory, Quick & Inexpensive Crane Service (12 thru 35 Ton with 165’ reach) Call us for a quick response to your needs and to go over your system BEFORE HARVEST. Pa. LOUCKS GRAIN EQUIPMENT, INC. RD #l2, Box 307 York, PA 17406 717-755-2868 (FAX 717-755-2869) For NAFTA Ratification mm mi mm third largest export maiket,” he said. The U.S. already grants far more trading privileges to Mexico than it receives. NAF TA will tear down Mexican barriers and give the U.S. per ferential treatment over other countries seeking to trade with USDA a “farmer-friendly” agency. The board also urged the Administration, state and local governments to expeditiously Mexico. “World trade continues to change,” he said. “We can’t afford to sit back as other coun tries form their own regional trading blocks. We must act assertively to ensure our future prosperity.” repair water retention and pro tection structures damaged by flooding to protect all cropland that producers wish to keep in cultivation. Mw i »vv/f w’Av bj '.'.V ".V % above is GRAIN lesigned, id by us.
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