Transcript Agriculture Issues

Agriculture Issues
By:
Jen
and
Jenna
CAFTA-DR
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The Central American-Dominican Republic
Free Trade Agreement
One of the most important trade issues facing
the industry this decade
Not only affects the way we trade in the world
marketplace, but the outcome of the legislation
will have significant impacts on U.S.
agriculture
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CAFTA-DR has been signed by the governments
of the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the
Dominican Republic. The next step is for the
administration to send the agreement to Capitol
Hill for a vote
Bob Stallman President, American Farm Bureau
says, “As I see it, a vote for CAFTA-DR is a vote
for U.S. agriculture”
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The agreement is expected to result in nearly
$1.5 billion in agricultural exports after full
implementation
Because tariffs on practically all U.S. products
entering CAFTA-DR nations will fall to zero
percent after implementation, the agreement
provides balance and positions U.S. agriculture
to better compete in this market.
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CAFTA-DR will give U.S. agriculture exports
a competitive advantage over other nations
because trade barriers the United States has
faced will be eliminated, allowing what will
eventually be free entry of U.S. products -entry that will not be afforded to other
countries like the European Union, Canada
and Brazil.
The other side
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Some skeptics of the CAFTA-DR argue
the agreement will kill the U.S. sugar
industry by bringing in foreign sugar.
The additional access to the U.S. market
for sugar producers in the region amounts
to only one and a half teaspoons per week
for every American. That translates to
about 1.5 percent of domestic U.S. sugar
production.
Increased sugar imports from the CAFTADR nations would amount to less than
one-quarter of 1 percent of total trade with
the region. In all, the U.S. sugar industry
will experience approximately an $80.5
million negative impact on an approximate
$2.1 billion domestic industry. Overall,
CAFTA-DR will provide a net $1.35
billion positive impact to the rest of
American agriculture.
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Even with that minimal impact to the sugar
industry, there are safeguards in place. The
agreement includes a provision allowing the
U.S. government to shut off imports of
CAFTA-DR sugar if it harms the U.S. sugar
industry. Further, the U.S. will continue to
apply tariffs on all CAFTA-DR sugar imports
exceeding quota amounts
Yuma FB drives to keep ag
equipment on roadways
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Yuma FB, DPS, and ADOT
are working toward a
solution to move farm
equipment more safely on
the roadways.
DPS is concerned that farm
equipment cannot move at
normal roadway speed with
traffic
DPS is trying to restrict
farm machinery from using
I 8, which is the major route
through Yuma
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Farmers are willing to use safer alternative roadway if
one existed
ADOT received grant $ to upgrade side roads with
guardrails for regular motorists, which narrowed the
roads making them more dangerous for farm
equipment
It is easier and faster for farmers to move their
equipment on roadways than to disassemble them and
move them on a truck (disassembly takes time and $)
What farmers and ranchers are
supposed to do
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Use reflective tape on widest part of tractor
Have flashing lights and SMV sign
Avoid rush hr.
When moving several pieces of equipment,
spread them out so traffic can pass
Remember 5 car rule
Travel in right lane
Questions?
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Jen: [email protected]
Jenna: [email protected]