CORN REFINERS APPLAUD PASSAGE OF FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS WITH COLOMBIA, PANAMA AND KOREA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2011

CONTACT: Cassandra Kuball
(202) 331-1634

WASHINGTON, DC – The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) applauded last night’s House and Senate ratification of the three free trade agreements (FTAs) with Panama, Colombia and Korea.

“Passage of these agreements is a clear win for our economy, the corn refining industry and American workers. Removing barriers to these markets will create new export opportunities for our products, including U.S. corn sweeteners, corn oil, corn starches and animal feed products,” said Audrae Erickson, CRA President.

The three FTAs call for the complete elimination of tariffs, some immediately, on refined corn products – corn sweeteners, corn oil, corn starches and processed animal feeds such as corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Tariffs on all refined corn products will be eventually phased out under each agreement.

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The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) is the national trade association representing the corn refining (wet milling) industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, ethanol, starch, bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.

Visit us on the Web at www.Corn.org