TRADE NEWS from…
The AgTrade Coalition
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For Immediate Release

August 5, 2004

Statement by the AgTrade Coalition
On the WTO Framework Agreement
For the Doha Development Agenda

The undersigned members of the AgTrade Coalition congratulate U.S. negotiators for a successful conclusion to the negotiations last week on a framework text that will allow the WTO Doha Development Agenda to move forward with important global trade reforms for U.S. agriculture.

American agriculture has long sought the reduction or elimination of such trade distorting measures as export subsidies and state trading entities, the harmonization of domestic trade distorting subsidies, and the expansion of access to highly restricted foreign markets. This agreement provides the basis for those objectives to be realized as the Doha Round talks proceed in the months ahead.

The importance to the U.S. food and agriculture sector of advancing this effort cannot be overstated because these WTO negotiations, with the inclusion of virtually all of our major trading partners and all of their various trade restrictions, provide opportunities for worldwide trade liberalization that no other forum or trade negotiating venue can offer. Difficult negotiations lie ahead, however, and the AgTrade Coalition will continue to work with government officials to ensure that U.S. interests and concerns are addressed.

American Farm Bureau Federation
American Meat Institute
American Potato Trade Alliance
American Seed Trade Association
American Soybean Association
American Sugar Alliance
Animal Health Institute
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Biotechnology Industry Organization
Blue Diamond Growers
Bryant Christie Inc.
Cargill, Inc.
Corn Refiners Association
Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Inc.
Farmland Industries
Grocery Manufacturers of America
HORT Alliance, Horticultural Organizations for Responsible Trade Alliance
IMC Global
International Dairy Foods Association
Louis Dreyfus
Monsanto
National Cattlemen's Beef Association
National Chicken Council
National Corn Growers Association
National Food Processors Association
National Grain and Feed Association
National Grain Trade Council
National Milk Producers Federation
National Oilseed Processors Association
National Pork Producers Council
National Potato Council
National Renderers Association
National Turkey Federation
North American Export Grain Association
North American Millers Association
Northwest Fruit Exporters
Northwest Horticultural Council
Pet Food Institute
Simplot
Sweetener Users Association
The Fertilizer Institute
United Egg Association
United Egg Producers
USA Poultry and Egg Export Council
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Hop Industry Plant Protection Committee
U.S. Meat Export Federation
U.S. Mint Growers Association
U.S. Wheat Associates
Washington Potato Commission
Welch Foods Inc., A Cooperative
Wheat Export Trade Education Committee

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Contact:

Audrae Erickson
(202) 331-1634
info@corn.org

David Salmonsen
(202) 406-3665
davids@fb.org