[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 22 (Thursday, February 15, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1505-S1506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself, Mr. Craig, Mr. Cleland, Mr. Smith of 
        Oregon, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Wyden, and Mrs. Boxer):
  S. 366, A bill to amend the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to 
increase the amount of funds available for certain Agricultural Trade 
programs; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today with Senators Craig, 
Cleland, Gordon Smith, Cantwell, Wyden and Boxer to reintroduce the 
Agricultural Market Access and Development Act of 2001.
  Trade is the lifeblood of Washington state's economy. From aerospace 
to software to agriculture, one out of every three jobs in my state is 
trade-related. Without access to markets around the world, Washington 
state's economy cannot function.
  The legislation I am introducing today would open and expand markets 
for U.S. agricultural exports. It would

[[Page S1506]]

help rural economies. It would create jobs in regions that need them 
the most.
  In the 106th Congress, we focused our attention on opening markets to 
American goods and services. I strongly supported efforts to pass 
permanent normal trade relations for China, to reform our ineffective 
unilateral sanctions policies, and to create new trade relationships 
with Africa and the Caribbean Basin.
  Our nation's producers generally supported these efforts, but their 
enthusiasm for new trade agreements is waning.
  It's difficult for our farmers and ranchers to endorse new trade 
agreements when our trade partners heavily subsidize their producers.
  It's difficult for farmers and ranchers to get excited about 
potential new markets when federal agencies give a green light to 
imports from nations that won't let our products in.
  It's difficult for farmers and ranchers to support free trade when 
our competitors have the advantage of cheaper labor, cheaper land, 
cheaper water and fewer environmental regulations.
  When these trade challenges are combined with low prices, a strong 
dollar, the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and higher energy and 
fertilizer prices, I understand why many of our farmers and ranchers 
are losing patience with our trade agreements.
  I believe agricultural producers and rural communities should 
continue to support free trade. U.S. producers are so productive that 
we can't afford not to push for more open markets.
  But I also believe we should give our agricultural producers a 
fighting chance to succeed. We need to pursue trade agreements that are 
fair. We need to enforce the good agreements we make. And we need to 
invest in market promotion and development.
  The legislation I am introducing today will help give producers a 
fighting chance. It invests in market share, not potential markets. It 
builds on success, not rhetoric.
  Current law authorizes hundreds of millions of dollars for the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture's Export Enhancement Program. But the program 
isn't being used. Current law does not allow the Secretary of 
Agriculture to transfer those authorized funds to programs that are 
being used, like the Market Access Program and the the Foreign Market 
Development ``Cooperator'' Program.
  My bill would change that.
  The Agricultural Market Access and Development Act does three things.
  First, it raises the existing cap on the Market Access Program from 
$90 million to $200 million.
  Second, it creates a $35 million floor for the Foreign Market 
Development ``Cooperator'' Program.
  The Market Access Program and the Cooperator Program have helped to 
expand markets for apples, potatoes, wheat, wine and other products 
from Washington state and around the nation. Under these programs, the 
federal government reimburses a non-profit industry association or a 
private business for a portion of trade promotion activities.
  Third, the bill establishes a mechanism to pay for these changes. It 
authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer a percentage of 
unspent funds under the Export Enhancement Program to market access and 
development programs.
  The legislation I am introducing today is nearly identical to S. 
1983, which I introduced in 1999. In the 106th Congress, more than 
eighty agriculture and food organizations wrote to Members of Congress 
supporting S. 1983. I believe we will have equal--if not greater--
support as we start working on the next farm bill.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor and support the Agricultural Market 
Access and Development Act.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I am pleased to announce that I am 
cosponsoring the Agricultural Market Access and Development Act of 
2001, which was introduced by Senator Murray today. This bill will 
authorize increases in the funding levels for agricultural market 
access and development programs in 2001 and 2002. These programs 
provide matching funds to assure aggressive marketing of our 
agricultural products in the international markets.
  U.S. exports of high-value and consumer-oriented agricultural 
products have increased steadily in recent years but are facing stiff 
competition from foreign sources. In 1998 foreign competitors outspent 
the U.S. by nearly 4 to 1 on export promotion activities. The Market 
Access Program is a cost-sharing approach to help U.S. farmers and 
growers close this funding gap. Program funds are used to generically 
support important Washington agricultural products.
  Washington State depends on agriculture to provide jobs, particularly 
in Eastern Washington which has been left out of the prosperity of the 
Puget Sound region. Apple growers in the Yakima valley must have new 
markets if their businesses are to survive and prosper. Eastern 
Washington needs these jobs and we need this program.
  Export markets provide some of the best economic support to the 
agricultural community. Agricultural products are an important part of 
the dynamic market mix that makes Washington a thriving, productive 
economic area. The matching funding of the Market Access Program helps 
to provide support and encouragement for the farmers and growers so 
important to Washington State and the Northwest.
  I thank Senator Murray for the leadership she has shown in promoting 
and protecting our agricultural interests. I look forward to continuing 
close cooperation with Senator Murray, other members of the Washington 
State delegation, as well as State and local leaders to support our 
valued agricultural interests.
                                 ______