One of 11 sessions planned around the country to solicit input from the grassroots, theregional meeting in Des Moines is scheduled to include testimony from local farmers, agribusinessrepresentatives and farm leaders. Four issue panels will break out during the day to discuss livestock;ag-industry; grains; and packers, processors, shippers and handlers.
An outspoken advocate for the interests of American farmers in the world trade arena,Grassley will join elected officials from Iowa, Missouri and Kansas to kick-off the day-long forumat 8 a.m., at the Iowa Historical Building Auditorium, 600 East Locust Street. The listeningsession is being sponsored by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and USDA. The IowaDepartment of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will host the event in Des Moines.
In addition, next Wednesday afternoon in Washington, Grassley will convene a congressionalhearing to examine how global and regional trade policy is operating without fast-track negotiatingauthority for the President of the United States. He will conduct the hearing as chairman of theSenate International Trade Subcommittee.
For years, Grassley has been a leading advocate in Congress to renew fast-track tradenegotiating authority. "The U.S. lost its unchallenged leadership in the world trade communitywhen fast-track lapsed in 1994," said Grassley. "As a result, we lost the opportunity to open newmarkets. Fast-track is a key tool that will enable the U.S. to lead the way in Seattle and enter criticaltrade negotiations for American farmers with a strong, unified voice. For sure, fast-track will benecessary to implement any trade agreements that stem from the November talks."
Working to set the stage for the next round of farm trade talks in Seattle, Grassley has heldprevious congressional hearings and made appeals to U.S. trade negotiators and the private sectorto develop strategies that will put American agriculture in a strong position at the negotiating tablesin November.
"In Iowa, about 40 percent of all farm income is earned from foreign sales," said Grassley."Agreements must be reached on some very important issues to help ensure family farmers can earna decent living off the land in the new century. When our trade representatives take their seats at thebargaining table, I am going to make sure their priority list includes seeking compliance with pasttrade agreements, eliminating farm tariffs and export subsidies, reducing trade-distorting domesticsupport, increasing market access, curbing non-tariff trade barriers, and addressing concerns arisingfrom the increased use of biotechnology."
According to Grassley, Iowa's agricultural economy hinges upon the ability of the U.S. toaccess world markets. "Protectionist policies around the world are hurting our livestock and grainproducers at home," said Grassley. "We must open new markets for U.S. farm products to regainprofitability in agriculture. Today's farm price crisis already is hurting the ability to attract and keepnew and beginning farmers."
As a farmer-legislator, Grassley works to keep farm issues on the front burner in Washingtonthrough his leadership position on the Finance Committee's trade subcommittee. Grassley traveledto Singapore in December 1996 to attend the WTO's first-ever meeting of the world's top tradeofficials to advocate the interests of American agriculture.
Since 1986, Grassley has hosted ambassadors and trade representatives from around theworld six different times to promote his homestate's quality products and highly skilled workforce.Continuing his efforts to foster business opportunities in Iowa, Grassley next month will bring scoresof international guests on his seventh biennial trade tour of Iowa.