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“SENATE RESOLUTION 101--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ON AGRICULTURAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S5306-S5307 on May 13, 1999.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
SENATE RESOLUTION 101--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ON
AGRICULTURAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
Mr. FITZGERALD (for himself, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Ashcroft) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Finance:
S. Res. 101
Whereas the United States is the world's largest exporter of agricultural commodities and products;
Whereas 96 percent of the world's consumers live outside the United States;
Whereas the profitability of the United States agricultural sector is dependent on a healthy export market; and
Whereas the next round of multilateral trade negotiations is scheduled to begin on November 30, 1999: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate supports and strongly encourages the President to adopt the following trade negotiating objectives:
(1) The initiation of a comprehensive round of multilateral trade negotiations that--
(A) covers all goods and services;
(B) continues to reform agricultural and food trade policy;
(C) promotes global food security through open trade; and
(D) increases trade liberalization in agriculture and food.
(2) The simultaneous conclusion of the negotiations for all sectors.
(3) The adoption of the framework established under the Uruguay Round Agreements for the agricultural negotiations conducted in 1999 to ensure that there are no product or policy exceptions.
(4) The establishment of a 3-year goal for the conclusion of the negotiations by December 2002.
(5) The elimination of all export subsidies and tightening of rules for circumvention of export subsidies.
(6) The elimination of all nontariff barriers to trade.
(7) The transition of domestic agricultural support programs to a form decoupled from agricultural production, as the United States has already done under the Agricultural Market Transition Act (7 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.).
(8) The commercially meaningful reduction or elimination of bound and applied tariffs, and the mutual elimination of restrictive tariff barriers, on an accelerated basis.
(9) The improved administration of tariff rate quotas.
(10)(A) The elimination of state trading enterprises; or
(B) the adoption of policies that ensure operational transparency, the end of discriminatory pricing practices, and competition for state trading enterprises.
(11) The maintenance of sound science and risk assessment for sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
(12) The assurance of market access for biotechnology products, with the regulation of the products based solely on sound science.
(13) The accelerated resolution of trade disputes and prompt enforcement of dispute panels of the World Trade Organization.
(14) The provision of food security for importing nations by ensuring access to supplies through a commitment by World Trade Organization member countries not to restrict or prohibit the export of agricultural products.
(15) The resolution of labor and environmental issues in a manner that facilitates, rather than restricts, agricultural trade.
(16) The establishment of World Trade Organization rules that will allow developing countries to graduate, using objective economic criteria, to full participation in, and obligations under, the World Trade Organization.
Mr. FITZGERALD. Mr. President, I rise today along with my colleagues, Senators Grassley, Roberts, and Ashcroft, to submit a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate regarding the next round of agricultural trade negotiations. As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am very concerned about U.S. agriculture's position in the next round of negotiations. This resolution establishes clear direction to the Administration as it enters the Seattle negotiations this November.
These process and procedural guidelines have been developed through a consensus process of the Seattle Round Agricultural Committee (SRAC). SRAC represents over 70 agricultural organizations--from the Farm Bureau to the National Oilseed Processors Association of Kraft Foods. This diverse group of agriculturalists have spent many hours developing these principles to ensure that our international agriculture markets remain strong, open and fair for our nation's farmers.
The U.S. agricultural sector is one of the only segments of our economy that consistently produces a trade surplus. In fact, our agricultural surplus totaled $27.2 billion in 1996. However, we must not rest on our laurels; the United States Department of Agriculture projects that our agricultural trade surplus in 1999 will dwindle to approximately $12 billion. We must not let this trend continue.
Free and open international markets are vital to my home state. Illinois' 76,000 farms cover more than 28 million acres--nearly 80 percent of Illinois. Our farm product sales generate nine billion dollars annually and Illinois ranks third in agricultural exports. In fiscal year 1997 alone, Illinois agricultural exports totaled $3.7 billion and created 57,000 jobs for our state. Needless to say, agriculture makes up a significant portion of my state's economy, and a healthy export market for these products is important to my constituents.
As you know, farm commodity prices have recently been in a slump. This situation makes open debate on agricultural trade and the Seattle round even more timely and necessary. While the average tariff assessed by the United States on agricultural products is less than five percent, the average agricultural tariff assessed by other World Trade Organization members exceeds 40 percent. This situation is clearly unfair and certainly depresses U.S. agricultural commodity prices. Accordingly, this issue must be addressed in the next round.
I look forward to working with my colleagues on policies to tear down international trade barriers and ensure that our agricultural trade surplus expands and remains strong. This resolution is the first step toward ensuring that agriculture is a top priority of the Administration during the next round of multilateral trade negotiations.
I want to recognize and commend my colleagues, Senators Grassley, Roberts, and Ashcroft, for joining me as original co-sponsors of this resolution. This resolution should enjoy bipartisan support, and I urge my colleagues to join me in co-sponsoring this legislation important to our nation's farmers.
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