Letter from Congressman Adrian Smith

Knowing of your interest in agricultural exports, I am writing to update you on recent developments in Congress. As you may know, on April 10, 2008, the House of Representatives suspended fast-track trade procedures of the U.S.-Columbia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA), indefinitely prolonging action on the trade deal's implementation. As a member of the House Agricultural Committee, I joined a number of my colleagues in expressing disappointment in Congress and the Administration's failure to work cooperatively to promote U.S. products. The CTPA, when fully implemented, will provide increased access for Nebraska's agricultural exports. Already our largest market in South America, Colombia now holds even greater potential. Upon implementation of CTPA, Columbia will immediately eliminate its 80-percent duty on prime and choice beef cuts, and will begin phasing out all duties, some as high as 30 percent, on pork, corn, soybeans, wheat and barley. Trad agreements such as Colombia, South Korea and Panama are invaluable to Nebraska's farmer's and ranchers by establishing a level playing field. Currently, the Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is accepting public comment on the trade proposals with South Korea and Colombia. Written comments are due by 12:00PM on September 15, 2009, and may be submitted through the USTR's website at http://www.ustr.gov/ by clicking on "Federal Regulation Notices".