Andean FTA opposed by sugar interests
Brownfield Network, Friday, September 23, 2005
Andean FTA opposed by sugar interests
by Tom Steever
Another free trade agreement is making waves. Speculation is that negotiations for a U.S./Andean FTA are nearing completion. House Ag Committee ranking member Collin Peterson of Minnesota says Administration officials may be making similar mistakes to those made in CAFTA.
Peterson says Congress is opposed to allowing a flood of subsidized foreign ag products, such as sugar, into the U.S., putting U.S. farmers and ranchers at risk. Sugar is part of the Andean trade talks, but Peterson wants it off the table.
The Andean countries produce more sugar than the CAFTA countries combined.
(The National Farm Broadcast Service contributed to this article)