10/10/06 R-CALF on Columbia FTA

American Rancher October 10, 2006 President Bush says he intends to sign a free trade agreement with Columbia and a Congressional vote on the trade pact could come in the first half of 2007. R-CALF USA is concerned that a Columbian FTA would do little to promote exports of U.S. beef while at the same time subjecting U.S. cattle producers to risks of increased beef imports. That's what R-CALF International Trade Committee Co-Chair Doug Zalesky told an International Trade Commission hearing last week. Zalesky: "We feel very strongly that the U.S. cattle producer is not protected in these trade pacts. There are no safeguard that extend very long into the future to make sure that the beef market in this country is not overwhelmed and flooded with product from foreign countries that then depresses the prices that our cattle producers receive." Zalesky also said R-CALF isn't convinced there are many opportunities for U.S. cattle producers in Columbia. Zalesky: "If you look at the gross domestic product in Columbia, they really don't lend themselves to be able to purchase a lot of beef. Especially our high quality beef we would try and ship in there." 14 So when the trade agreement comes up for a vote Zalesky says R-CALF is urging Congress to consider all these factors. I'm Bob Hoff.