In response to the U.S. House of Representatives vote on the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), the Minnesota and North Dakota sugar industry released the following statement (supported by American Crystal Sugar, Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative, Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association and Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative):
"For more than a year and a half, we have waged a battle to protect our farms, our jobs and our local economies from flawed trade agreements such as CAFTA.
By only a two vote margin, CAFTA narrowly passed in the U.S. House. Today, we are disappointed that Congress has approved this unequal, unfair trade agreement, but the U.S. House's actions do nothing diminish our resolve to protect our farms and our rural economies.
"We vow to continue to work our land and to turn our attention to the more than 21 other countries that are lined up to negotiate similar trade deals with the United States.
"We will continue to send the message that America's trade agreements will have to be fair and will have to promote economic advancement for all parties. We are not against free trade, but our concerns need to be addressed on a level playing field through the World Trade Organization.
"We are grateful to the thousands of supporters who spoke out against this agreement. We are also grateful to the government officials who bravely stood up for their constituents and opposed CAFTA.
"America's family farmers envision a future in which their children and grandchildren will carry on the legacy they have fought for, in a fair and global marketplace. We will continue to protect that legacy and fight for a level playing field for all farmers."
CAFTA was passed by the U.S. House 217-215 on July 27.
CONTACT: Midwest Fair Trade Coalition/ Red River Valley Sugarbeet Growers Association Nick Sinner, 701-239-4151 Cell: 701-261-1959 [email protected] or Midwest Fair Trade Coalition/ American Crystal Sugar Jeff Schweitzer, 218-236-4492 Mobile: 701-361-6859 [email protected]
