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NEWS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Curt Mercadante 202-331-1634 (office) 703-732-1860 (cell) May 13, 2003 CONGRESSMAN NUSSLE 'FRIEND OF THE CORN REFINERS' Addresses Corn Refiners Association Annual Meeting; Calls for Quick, Fair Resolution to Mexican Sweetener Trade Dispute WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Jim Nussle (R-IA) today received the "Friend of the Corn Refiners" award from the Corn Refiners Association, Inc. (CRA), after addressing the organization's annual meeting. In his speech, Nussle focused on the need for a quick and fair resolution to the U.S.-Mexican corn sweetener trade dispute that has crippled significant sectors of the corn industry. "Chairman Nussle has a long history of support for the corn refining industry and the thousands of Iowans we employ," said Audrae Erickson, president of CRA. "He continues to be instrumental in pushing for a resolution to the sweetener dispute with Mexico that is threatening our industry, as well as Iowa's agricultural economy." CRA is especially affected by Mexico's actions because U.S. exports of HFCS to Mexico have been shut down for 17 months. No other major U.S. agricultural or non-agricultural exporting industry has had its top export market closed for this period of time. Sweetener consuming industries have been harmed due to a loss of price competition in the marketplace. For every 2 million metric tons of HFCS access into Mexico, the U.S. will lose: $620 million annual HFCS export sales; more than $300 million annual corn sales; 133 million bushels of bulk corn production; 945.7 thousands acres of corn production; and additional losses to seed, fertilizer and farm machinery industries and related rural investment. In March, Rep. Nussle coordinated a letter signed by thirty-one fellow Members of Congress to Mexican Ambassador to the U.S. Juan Jose Bremer urging a negotiated solution to the ongoing sweetener dispute. Expressing frustration with the prolonged negotiations, the letter pressed for immediate action to quickly strike a meaningful deal and successfully conclude the talks, or significant consequences would result. "Unfortunately, this market remains closed and as a result of Mexico's protectionist actions, our industry has idled capacity, lost jobs, and experienced significant losses in profitability," added Erickson. Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) also have been out in front of this issue, pushing for a quick and fair resolution to the dispute. Clinton, IA, in Rep. Nussle's district, is home to a facility owned and operated by CRA member Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM). CRA member companies also have the following additional facilities throughout Iowa (companies in parentheses): Cedar Rapids (ADM, Cargill, Inc., Penford Products Co.); Keokuk (Roquette America, Inc.); and Eddyville (Cargill, Inc.). Editor's Note: A copy of the letter to the Mexican Ambassador in its entirety is available online at http://www.corn.org/web/0303houseltr.pdf. For more information on the corn refining industry, visit the Corn Capsules newsletter page. 
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