[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 66 (Thursday, May 21, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H3738-H3739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      AGRICULTURAL TRADE MEASURES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) is recognized for the remaining time 
until midnight.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to support additional 
trade measures important to the agriculture community.
  On Tuesday of this week, just several days ago, I outlined broad 
trade issues that need to be addressed for U.S. farmers and ranchers. 
These include opening new markets, using our existing trade tools, and 
removing damaging sanctions that penalize the American producer.
  Tonight I would like to cite a specific example of where our trade 
tools and policy should be used. The U.S. wheat gluten industry has a 
long-standing battle with the European Union regarding the EU's 
excessive subsidies and market-distorting trade barriers.

[[Page H3739]]

  After several devastating years after which European imports rose 
substantially, the gluten industry took their case to the International 
Trade Commission, claiming that there had been substantial damage to 
the industry as a result of subsidized imports.
  Following the presentation of evidence from both sides, the ITC ruled 
unanimously in favor of the U.S. gluten producers and recommended 
specific remedies that the U.S. should implement. These recommendations 
are now before President Clinton, who ultimately must decide whether or 
not to fight this fight for U.S. agriculture.
  The decision before the President regarding the implementation of 
these GATT legal remedies is important not only for the wheat gluten 
industry but for all of agriculture. When Members of Congress, when I 
am asked to decide how to vote on the fast track, on MFN, or other 
trade-related legislation, I need assurance, we need assurance that our 
current trade problems under existing agreements will be aggressively 
pursued by the administration.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge the President of the United States to act on 
behalf of American agriculture and to enforce the recommendations of 
the ITC for the wheat gluten industry.

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