Columbia Trade & Fighting For A Farm Bill

Columbia Trade & Fighting For A Farm Bill

Columbia Trade & Fighting For A Farm Bill plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

The Columbia Trade Promotion or TPA went into effect yesterday and according to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack U.S. agricultural exporters now receive duty-free access on more than half of the products we currently export to Colombia, and virtually all remaining tariffs will be eliminated within 15 years. Vilsack also noted that estimates show that the tariff reductions in the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will expand total U.S. exports by more than $1.1 billion, supporting thousands of additional American jobs while increasing U.S. GDP by $2.5 billion.

A consultant and former USDA official says timing, southern crop subsidies and the size of food stamp cuts will decide if a farm bill gets done this year. Scott Shearer, who led Congressional Affairs at USDA during the first Clinton Administration, says Senate Ag leaders will have to deal with farm bill opposition from southern crops

SHEARER: The big hurdle and challenge for that right now is the opposition from the southern commodities. If you remember in the Senate Agriculture Committee you had a strong opposition from Senators who represent especially rice and somewhat peanuts and cotton and so that is the challenge that they still have of bringing the bill to the floor.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

It isn’t easy standing up to the pressure that the Humane Society of the United States can put on businesses in pushing their anti-animal agriculture agenda. Just ask Safeway and Denny’s, which have both recently caved to HSUS pressure to purchase products from only companies that provide gestation crate-free pork. It isn’t easy, but it can be done. Domino’s Pizza shareholders have proven that by saying “NO” to the HSUS and standing firm with America’s farmers. Domino’s shareholders rejected a resolution proposed by HSUS last month to require its pork suppliers to stop housing sows in gestation stalls.  A Domino’s spokesperson explained that the company relies on animal experts to determine the best way to raise an animal that’s used for food. In a show of appreciation many farm families and agriculture supporters across the United States are participating in an event called “Farmers Paying It Forward with Pizza” this coming weekend. On May 18th - 20th join the pizza party, and when purchasing your pizza from Domino’s leave the manager a thank you card for supporting farmers. Thank you Domino’s. It’s about time some company had the courage to stand up to the HSUS.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network. 

Previous ReportMore Nutrition Information & Internet Pet Sales
Next ReportLiquor Auction & Healthier Foods Cost