05/19/05 Johanns tries to convince sugar growers

Mike Johanns is telling everyone that the Central America Free Trade Agreement is good for American agriculture. During a 45 minute meeting in Boise Johanns told producers that CAFTA knocks down trade barriers and opens new markets for them. JOHANNS "Literally segment after segment after segment of the ag industry benefits by us getting CAFTA passed to level the playing field." But Idaho sugarbeet growers say another 100 thousand metric tons of sugar imports will already depress a dismal market. Johanns chided them. JOHANNS "I'll just be very blunt with you. Of all of the commodities you really did well with CAFTA negotiations, you were consulted, you were involved." The Idaho Cattle Association and fruit growers say CAFTA would open new markets for them but sugar beet growers like Perry Meuleman believe this trade agreement will kill the Idaho sugar industry. MEULEMAN "My feeling is if it passes five, six years, yes." Idaho's congressional delegation, Governor Kempthorne, the Idaho Grain Producers and the Idaho Farm Bureau say they can't support CAFTA as long as the sugar provision remains. It seems unlikely that Johanns changed any minds during his Boise visit. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott