[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 150 (Friday, October 29, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 LEGISLATION MAKING THE CHIEF AGRICULTURAL NEGOTIATOR POSITION AT USTR 
                               PERMANENT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL K. SIMPSON

                                of idaho

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 28, 1999

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to introduce a bill today with 
Representatives Kenny Hulshof and Wes Watkins to ensure our Nation's 
agricultural producers have a permanent trade ambassador. American 
farmers and ranchers need and deserve a representative within the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative to focus on 
agricultural trade issues.
  My congressional district in southern Idaho ranks among the country's 
more important agricultural producing congressional districts. A wide 
range of products are raised in the district including potatoes, sugar 
beets, wheat, barley, livestock, and a host of specialized commodities. 
Idaho producers of all of these commodities have conveyed to me the 
importance of having their concerns heard, understood, and advocated 
during the course of bilateral trade negotiations.
  Since being elected to represent the second congressional district of 
Idaho, I have become increasingly concerned by the extent of the 
agricultural crisis in Idaho and the role Canadian and European trade 
policies have played in exacerbating the problem. Uncompetitive trade 
practices threaten the survival of agriculture not only in Idaho, but 
throughout the United States. During the August district work period, I 
met with numerous farmers and ranchers throughout my congressional 
district and was told of the dire financial conditions many producers 
are facing. Many are at risk of losing their generations-owned family 
operations. I was regularly told of the need to open up new markets, 
reduce Europe's export subsidies, reduce tariffs worldwide, and ensure 
nontariff barriers do not inhibit market access to new products. 
Ultimately, my agricultural producers expect me to work to ensure 
unfair trade practices engaged in by our competitors are addressed by 
the WTO in a transparent and swift fashion, with strong enforcement 
mechanisms in place to guarantee compliance and fairness in the global 
marketplace. Farmers and ranchers in Idaho strongly believe making the 
Agricultural Ambassador position permanent will enhance their ability 
to secure new markets and compete in the global marketplace.
  I firmly believe that in order to secure the long-term stability of 
our agricultural economy we need to support the development of an open 
and fair trading system. Without a strong voice for addressing 
uncompetitive trade practices, our agricultural producers will continue 
to operate at a competitive disadvantage in the global marketplace. The 
creation of the Agricultural Ambassador (the Chief Agricultural 
Negotiator) position by Ambassador Charlene Barskefsky has already had 
a significant and positive impact on our country's farmers and 
ranchers.
  I have met with the current Agricultural Ambassador, Mr. Peter Scher, 
on a variety of agricultural issues important to Idaho, and appreciate 
his work on behalf of our farmers and ranchers. I am concerned that 
when this Administration departs the gains made by Mr. Scher in 
advancing the needs of America's farmers will be lost. At a time when 
agriculture in this country is struggling and is slated to be the 
number one issue at the upcoming round of WTO trade talks, it is 
unfathomable to me that we would not ensure the permanent presence of a 
strong, clear voice and vigorous advocate for agriculture is present at 
international negotiations. it is crucial the Agriculture Ambassador 
position be made permanent and transcend administrations, especially 
now when we are beginning to engage in intense multilateral 
negotiations on a host of agricultural issues.
  This legislation presents an opportunity for Congress to help our 
ranchers and ensure the opportunities for expanding and competing in 
new markets are not compromised in future trade negotiations. Our 
farmers and ranchers need to know their interests are being represented 
at trade negotiations and should be secure in the knowledge that their 
advocate will permanently remain in place. I hope my colleagues will 
recognize the importance and significance of this legislation and join 
me in the effort to make the Agricultural Ambassador position 
permanent.

                          ____________________