Grassley said the public meetings have been planned for November 22 and 23, so that he can take the grassroots input with him to the global trade talks which begin on November 30. Agriculture is a primary focus of the World Trade Organization (WTO) talks that will take place in Seattle, where top-level officials from 134 nations will gather to begin a new trade liberalization effort.
"I intend to be ?the farmers' delegate' in Seattle, and bring to the world trade talks the real-life experiences of our producers. These negotiations must address inequities hurting American agriculture, "Grassley said. "To help make the case, I look forward to expanding on the dialogue I have with Iowa farmers and agriculture leaders. I encourage all those who are interested in these critical issues to join in the meetings," Grassley said.
The farm trade forums have been scheduled as follows. Each meeting is open to the public.
Tues., Nov. 23 ? 9-10:30 am Community Center
Tues., Nov. 23 ? 12:30-2 pm Heart of Iowa Cooperative*
* This meeting also will involve a round-table discussion with Iowa farm and agri-business leaders.
The only working family farmer in the Senate, Grassley serves as chairman of the Senate International Trade Subcommittee and as a congressional trade advisor. Grassley said a sign posted outside the doors of his local grain elevator this fall signaled a new era in commercial grain trade. The sign said: We don't take GMO (genetically-modified) corn not certified for sale to the European Union.
"Inherent consumer skepticism in Europe towards bio-engineered foods has created a trans-Atlantic trade barrier to U.S. farm exports. It threatens to slow research and further advancements in farm biotechnology," Grassley said. "If this issue isn't resolved, consumer resistance could cause a major traffic jam in the food chain."
Advancements in bio-engineered seeds have benefitted farmers with higher yields, weed, pest and drought resistance, and reduced chemical application. Research also indicates genetically- modified foods has the potential to boost nutritional content in foods, resulting in new opportunities to address malnutrition, world hunger and disease resistance, especially in Third World nations.
Already, experts say the lag in the approval process of GMOs between the U.S. and the 15-member European Union (EU) has cost American farmers some $200 million in lost corn sales to Europe in the last two years. U.S. soybean sales also have suffered as EU food manufacturers have avoided genetically-modified varieties.
Grassley was the only U.S. senator to participate in the last round of WTO negotiations, which were held in Singapore. Since then, he has used his position the Senate to make sure that the administration is prepared to negotiate on behalf of family farmers at the meeting this month. He has conducted oversight hearings of the trade subcommittee and met with top officials from the European Commission, including its new president.
Last week, Grassley won Senate passage of two pro-farmer amendments to the trade bill for sub-Saharan Africa. The first bipartisan amendment spells out the goals U.S. negotiators must meet during the WTO negotiations to be successful for American agriculture and requires the U.S. trade representative to consult with key congressional committees before signing off on agriculture agreements. The second amendment makes farmers eligible for federal trade adjustment assistance when they are significantly hurt by international trade.
Grassley said the upcoming trade talks have a "real effect on a farmers' bottom line. What will be discussed in Seattle will have a very real impact on farm management decisions and commodity prices for farmers in Red Oak, Newton and Grundy Center. Thirty cents of every dollar of income comes from trade," he said.
Farm income in Iowa fell nearly $1.5 billion last year to $2.3 billion, the lowest figure in three years. The average net farm income was $23,477 last year, down from $38,438 in 1997, and $42,857 in 1996. The drop in farm prices is linked to a drop in exports.
In addition to resistance by the European Union (EU) to genetically-modified foods, Grassley has called on U.S. trade negotiators to address EU farm subsidies; grossly uneven agriculture tariffs; market access; and, non compliance with world trade rules, including the EU's ten-year illegal ban on hormone-treated beef.
"An enormous amount of work needs to be done for agriculture trade," Grassley said. "World tariffs on farm products are three to four times higher than the ten to 15 percent rates for most industrial products. Some of these reach 200 percent."