Trade Promotion Authority
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ILLINOIS CORN GROWER S ASSOCIATION Political Papers A P R I L 2 0 1 5 CONGRESSIONAL CALENDAR May 4-11—Recess TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY Why Illinois farmers need it and tion to the Executive Branch on of passing Trade Promotion Au- May 22-31—Recess should be prepared to lobby Con- trade policy priorities while thority for a variety of specific June 29-July 6—Recess gress to get it providing negotiating objectives reasons but, most importantly, As corn farmers look to in- for trade agreements. It also because it will facilitate trade July 31-Sept 7—House establishes Congressional re- agreements and open markets for District Work Days crease demand in the face of abundant supply, the importance quirements for notifying and con- U.S. corn. of Trade Promotion Authority sulting stakeholders and the pub- Only by renewing TPA can the to U.S. farmers has gained par- lic before and during negotiations. U.S. government conclude and ticular importance. By passing Finally, TPA renews the presi- pass new trade agreements, such TPA, the President gains the dent’s authority to submit trade as the Trans Pacific Partnership, necessary means for negotiating agreements to Congress for an that allow the U.S. agricultural the trade agreements that facili- up-or-down vote without amend- sector to compete on a level tate access to important export ments, assuring our trading part- playing field in the global mar- markets and thus helps ensure ners that a final agreement won’t ket. As countries around the American farmers remain com- be altered by Congress. world are moving forward with petitive in meeting the world’s TPA has existed in its current agreements that will give their need for food, fuel and fiber. form since 1974 but, at this time, farmers preferential access to the Simply, Trade Promotion Au- has not been updated since it world’s fastest growing markets, thority does three things. It expired in 2007. American farm- it is imperative the United States GENERAL ASSEMBLY allows Congress to give direc- ers should value the importance CALENDAR (Continued on page 3) May 31—Adjournment YOUR LEADERSHIP LOBBIED ON THE HILL Illinois Corn Growers On March 16, 17, and 18, your IL insurance, and funding for locks For the most part, IL Corn leader- Association Corn Directors lobbied on the and dams could mean to you. ship heard a lot of support on PO Box 1623 hill, telling the Illinois Congres- The group also discussed ethanol their priority issues, including a Bloomington, IL sional delegation exactly what concerns, GMO labeling issues, number of Congressmen willing to important programs like crop sign onto a letter encouraging pre 61702-1623 and the need for Trade Promo- -engineering funds for locks and tion Authority with your elect- dams, and most supporting the P: 309-557-3257 ed officials. national Safe & Accurate Food F: 309-827-0916 Labeling Act instead of state by The Illinois state legislative initiatives. delegation was www.ilcorn.org excited to meet Pictured left: Congressman Danny [email protected] with farmers Davis with Ted Mottaz of Elmwood from their and Bill Leigh of Minonk after dis- home state and cussing ethanol and trade concerns. were anxious to Cong Danny Davis has always sup- discuss the ported ethanol and looks forward to issues. the E15 ordinance passing in Chica- go. P A G E 2 “EVERY MAN OWES A PART OF HIS TIME AND MONEY TO THE BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY IN WHICH HE IS ENGAGED. NO MAN HAS A MORAL RIGHT TO WITHHOLD HIS SUPPORT FROM AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS STRIVING TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS WITHIN HIS SPHERE.” ~ THEODORE ROOSEVELT Have you ever wondered how Let us know your interest and are opportunities to accommo- you could get we can certainly find an activity date that as well. more involved in that fits you and your interest Simply email the Illinois Corn level. If you support a certain Growers Associa- candidate, ICGA can help you [email protected] to express tion or its Politi- hold a fundraiser for that candi- interest in getting more in- cal Action Com- date. If you are interested in volved. mittee? seeing firsthand what ICGA We look forward to seeing you Volunteering is simple! does in Washington, DC, there soon! TED MOTTAZ, ELMWOOD, ON CNN! Whether you call it luck or not, your Illinois leaders were in Washington, DC during Congressman Aaron Schock’s resignation speech. In fact, your leaders were in Schock’s office at the time of his resig- nation. Upon leaving the office, they were hit with a media barrage, To receive a copy wanting comment from the of this newsletter Congressman, his staff, or his constituents. Ted Mottaz, electronically and District VIII Director from Elmwood, was featured as a save on printing constituent in the Washington costs, email us at Post, on CNN, and others. [email protected] “I’m very surprised that this happened. I’m sad that it hap- and request an pened, especially the way that it did. I honestly didn’t think it electronic PAC would cause him to resign, but newsletter! it’s still sending a bad message to constituents,” said Mottaz. In this case of excellent timing, it was an honor for Illinois farmers to represent the 18th district during a time of tur- moil. POLITICAL PAPERS A P R I L 2 0 1 5 P A G E 3 IL FARMERS NEED TPA (Continued from page 1) trade barriers, TPA defines negoti- crease from the 21 million bushels has the ability to negotiate similar ating parameters that other coun- worth $180 million the country agreements, for the benefit of tries know they will have to meet in bought in 2011. The positive impact American producers, in a nimble, order for the agreement to be sup- of this agreement continues to ben- agile fashion. ported by Congress. Additionally, efit farmers as, in the 2015 mar- By passing TPA, the President While approximately 260 preferen- TPA allows our partners to put keting year, U.S. corn farmers gains the necessary means for tial trade agreements worldwide their best deals on the table with are projected to capture 95 negotiating the trade agree- exist today, only 20 involve the confidence that it will not be un- percent of this 142 million ments that facilitate access to United States. Despite the superior done during an amendment process. bushel market. important export markets and efficiency of U.S. farmers, their Finally, trade agreements yield posi- With agricultural exports sup- thus helps ensure American competitive edge has been and, tive results for American agricul- porting more than one million farmers remain competitive in without TPA, will continue to be ture. With the seeds for trade U.S. jobs, both on and off the meeting the world’s need for eroded by less-efficient competi- planted by the U.S.-Colombia free farm, while playing a key role in food, fuel and fiber. tors with preferential agreements. trade agreement approved by Con- supporting the U.S. trade bal- Trade Promotion Authority pro- gress in 2011, Colombia went from ance, the passage of TPA will vides a positive advantage in that it the 17th largest market for U.S. increase the prosperity of Ameri- facilitates the negotiation of the corn farmers to the 4th largest mar- cans whether they live on or off the most beneficial deals possible from ket in just one year. In 2014, the farm. our trading partners. From lower- country bought 166 million bushels of U.S. corn worth about $900 mil- ing tariffs, to addressing non- scientific sanitary and non-sanitary lion - an astounding five-fold in- GMO LABELING-NATIONAL BILL IS THE ANSWER State Senator Dave Koehler of labels should be science-based. laws. Peoria, who represents Illinois’ GMO labeling concerns are not. Illinois farmers th 46 District, has reintroduced a IL Corn and the National Corn believe this partic- Genetically Modified Organism Growers Association is currently ular take on label- labeling bill to the state legislature. supporting the Safe & Accurate ing will benefit all According to Senator Koehler and Food Labeling bill in Congress that Americans, as well those who support the bill, the would create a federal GMO-free as farmers and the issue is a “right to know” concern, certification. The program would food industry. with consumers deserving the right be similar to the certified organic The Illinois con- to understand what is in their food. program run by the USDA and gressional delega- The problem is that state by state would give consumers certainty tion indicated GMO labeling laws make purchas- about the foods available for pur- hearing from a ing food harder to understand, not chase that are GMO-free. number of constit- easier. And they make interstate The bill would also make a current uents with pro- commerce extremely difficult when voluntary review process for new GMO labeling every state has a different set of products mandatory and it would messages. If you laws. define the term “natural” to mini- feel so inclined, While farmers agree that consum- mize labeling confusion. call your Con- ers have a right to know what is in This particular bill makes the gressman today to their food, we also agree that label- USDA and the FDA partners in the explain why a ing should minimize confusion, not GMO labeling and food safety solu- national GMO increase it. And we subscribe to tion. The FDA jurisdiction would labeling law is the the FDA’s current thinking that preempt state by state labeling right solution. Illinois Corn Growers Association PO Box 1623 Bloomington, IL 61702-1623 www.ilcorn.org Help candidates who help you ..