03/06/08 Wheat official foresees no restrictions on wheat exports

Farm and Ranch March 6, 2008 Tight supplies and unheard of high prices have prompted several countries around the world to restrict exports of wheat. Even in the United States the American Bakers Association has suggested wheat exports be curtailed to assure domestic supplies. The man responsible for developing and servicing U.S. wheat export markets, Alan Tracy, President of U.S. Wheat Associates, is confident there will be no U.S. restrictions. Tracy: "It is against the law. It's against policy. It is against common sense. We have of course some folks that are struggling with the current high price of flour, bakers for instance. However, they had the opportunity to take care of that risk through the futures market just like our foreign buyers did and our farmers did on the selling end." Tracy points out that laws were changed following the Carter grain embargo against the Soviet Union. Tracy: "You for instance cannot curtail agricultural exports without a national declaration of emergency and we are not anywhere near there." Statements by USDA officials also give Tracy confidence there will be no export restrictions. Tracy: "Mark Keenum, Undersecretary for International Trade and Commodity Programs said that we are in the business of promoting exports not curbing agricultural products. So I am confident that that is our policy position." Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer has also told reporters the administration policy is not to limit exports because of market conditions. I'm Bob Hoff and that's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report on the Northwest Ag Information Network.