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For The Record

Published on 07/24/2006

The new U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab told state Farm Bureau presidents in Washington D.C. recently that the United States is not giving up on World Trade Organization negotiations. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has expressed to Schwab the frustration that farmers and ranchers are frustrated at the stalled talks.

"I don't need to tell you all how important international trade is to your business and your members," Schwab told the presidents. "That's pretty straightforward when one of three acres is planted for export, when the United States shipped $62 billion worth or product overseas last year, when 27 percent of our agricultural receipts are generated by exports."

She said the United States put a bold offer on the table last October.

"Some other groups came in with proposals of varying degrees on interest, but none as bold as ours and none meeting our objective of seeing improved market access," she said.

AFBF strongly believes in the benefits of securing a multilateral, rules-based trading system.

OFBF President Bob Peterson said Schwab's talk was the highlight of the Council of President’s meeting.

"I was very impressed with her," Peterson said. "We appreciate Schwab's administration for holding firm [during the talks]."

While in Washington, Peterson and OFBF's Director of National Affairs Adam Sharp met with Republican U.S. Senators from Ohio Mike DeWine and George Voinovich and several key Ohio members of Congress regarding the WTO talks and the farm bill.

"Their chief concern seemed to be Ohio agriculture," he said. "They're very interested and knowledgeable about the issues of the estate tax and immigration and need for workers and security in this country."