Articles in this document:
·
AFBF
Wants New Direction in WTO Talks
·
(USMEF) New
Direction in Exports Needed?
·
Farm
Bureau: new approach needed on world trade
· New Meat Export Federation president emphasizes communications
AFBF Wants New
Direction in WTO Talks
KTIC 840 Rural Radio -
November 10, 2008
The American Farm Bureau Federation says a new approach is
needed to the
Stallman said, - what’s happening is not working. He said
many of the participating countries - have other interests and goals. The AFBF
President proposes a new format that allows like-minded countries that want to
move ahead to do so. Stallman emphasized, - we are not advocating trying to
supplant the WTO.
Stallman said he is optimistic the new Obama Administration
will welcome ideas for a new approach to advance multi-lateral trade
negotiations and open markets consistent with the World Trade Organization,
especially as world leaders look to hasten global economic recovery.
kticam.com
New Direction in
Exports Needed?
KTIC 840 Rural Radio -
November 07, 2008
The President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation
told the more than 300 agriculture industry leaders attending a strategic
planning conference in
He says we need to – go where the money is. People in
To help the U.S. red meat export industry have a fair shot
at these markets, Seng advised the new administration
to consider several steps including: create a new sub-cabinet level position
with responsibility for all trade-related issues; and redefine the
industry-government partnership;
kticam.com
Farm Bureau: new
approach needed on world trade
KTIC 840 Rural Radio -
November 07, 2008
The American Farm Bureau Federation today said a new
approach is needed in world trade talks, citing the stalled
Stallman cited the current system’s failure, which requires
153 member-countries to sign off on any deal. “You can keep having ministerials and keep failing, and sooner or later someone
has to wake-up,” said Stallman. “We need a new structure to move forward.”
“What’s happening in the World Trade Organization with
negotiations, which require all countries to sign off on the agreement, is not
working,” said Stallman. “You have 153 countries involved in the negotiations
and all are not there to improve trade flows. They have other interests and
goals.”
“We need to remove barriers that are currently hindering
trade and further damaging global economic markets,” said Stallman. “We can no
longer sit by while those who resist opening markets further contribute to the
economic slowdown.”
“It is imperative during this “pause” in the WTO talks that
we develop a new format that allows like-minded countries that want to move ahead
to do so and I think that can be done within the WTO. We’re not advocating
trying to supplant the WTO because it is a rules-based trading system that
exists and that works,” said Stallman.
Stallman said that while agriculture, manufacturing and other
industries all have different issues and ideas, all parties need to work
together to find a way forward. Farm Bureau is seeking that path.
“Trade is an essential component of economic recovery,”
continued Stallman. “Turning to protectionism or accepting existing barriers is
never an answer.”
Stallman said he is optimistic the new administration will
welcome ideas for a new approach to advance multi-lateral trade negotiations
and open markets consistent with the World Trade Organization, especially as world
leaders look to hasten global economic recovery.
kticam.com
New Meat Export
Federation president emphasizes communications
KTIC 840 Rural Radio -
November 07, 2008
As
“We have to continue to tell the story of trade and inform
producers all across the country about how it influences their bottom line,”
says Caspers. “We have a great story to tell. But we
just have to make sure they’re informed about that because the ongoing support
for the activities that really build this industry – that really build trade —
comes from them.
“We have to make sure we listen to what USMEF members want
out of their organization, which is to increase trade, and ensure that we are
actively engaged with our membership all the time,” he said. “USMEF staff are best-suited to deliver on those expectations.”
Caspers, who operates a 13,000
head-per-year nursery-to-finish hog operation in
“Every year for 17 years in a row we’ve had more (pork
export) volume than the year before, so that’s quite a string,” Caspers said. “The pork industry became a net exporter back
in 1995, and we’ve just seen volumes continue to increase. So we’ve got a good
product that’s very competitive internationally.”
Caspers says
“The overall trend of trade making up a bigger part of the
economy is absolutely going to continue,” he said. “If we step back from that
or falter, we’re going to lose. We need to continue to promote exports and
participate in those markets, because it’s only going to speed the recovery
here and across the globe.”
While much of Caspers’ personal
focus has been directed at pork exports, he recognizes the diverse constituency
that is served by USMEF. Caspers said the organization
can also be proud of its success in building markets for
“Beef has experienced much more of a challenge. We still see
effects of the BSE finding back in late 2003,” he said. “In spite of that,
we’ve finally seen beef exports recover to similar levels that we had back in
2003. But there is significant opportunity out there, and we can still make
huge headway in the beef market.”
In his new role, Caspers replaces
outgoing USMEF chair Dan Halstrom of JBS S.A. Montana
beef producer Jim Peterson was selected as the new USMEF chair-elect. Peterson
is also a state legislator and associate dean of the
Officer elections took place at the USMEF Strategic Planning
Conference, which concluded Wednesday in
kticam.com