AFIA last week sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Finance commending them for holding it’s “mock markup” of the Korea, Panama and Colombia trade agreements.

AFIA’s president and CEO, Joel G. Newman stated, “We congratulate you for moving forward on these critical trade agreements and wish you to know that the feed industry strongly supports all three trade pacts. We also urge Congress to act prior to the August recess.”

In addition, AFIA stated that U.S. trade expansion is critical to the growth of the livestock and poultry sectors in this country, and as these industries grow and prosper, so too, does the commercial feed industry. At the same time, an increasing number of AFIA member companies have developed and are seeking direct overseas sales opportunities for feeds, premixes, supplements, vitamins, ingredients, animal health products and other feed industry products. 

 Newman added, “These three agreements, when ratified, represent $2.5 billion in new U.S. ag exports. It’s estimated more than 22,500 new jobs will be created as well. To delay any longer in congressional action on these trade pacts is to effectively surrender growing export markets to our trading competitors, along with the economic growth these agreements promise.” 

“The Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) is an important part of an aggressive U.S. trade strategy, and we believe Congress should address the reauthorization of TAA at its earliest opportunity,” Newman concluded.