Permanent Normal Trade Relations

Letters From the Agriculture Coalition for U.S.-China Trade

September 12, 2000

The Honorable Trent Lott
487 Russell Senate Office Building
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Lott:

It is critical to American agriculture that H.R. 4444, the China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) legislation, moves forward without amendment. Any amendments would require another vote in the House of Representatives and send China and our competitors the message that the United States is not serious about opening the China market to U.S. products.

The Thompson amendment would require the President to implement sanctions under various circumstances. Unilateral sanctions have the effect of giving U.S. markets to our competitors. While there are efforts to exempt food, medicine and agriculture from the existing language, American agricultural producers, regardless of exemptions, would be put at risk. If the United States sanctions or even threatens sanctions for any products, agriculture is often first on the other country's retaliation list.

Additionally, further consideration of the China Nonproliferation bill should not delay action on a vote for PNTR. The U.S. agriculture industry continues to face depressed prices. Agricultural producers and food manufacturers should not have to face burdens erected by their own government such as unilateral sanctions or failure to pass PNTR.

We urgently request your help in achieving a positive vote on PNTR without amendment.

Thank you for your help and we look forward to working with you on these important issues.

Sincerely,

AgAmerica FCB

Ag Processing Inc.

AgriBank

Agribrands International, Inc.

Agricultural Retailers Association

Alabama Farmers Cooperative

Alabama Farmers Federation

American Crop Protection Association

American Farm Bureau Federation

American Feed Industry Association

American Forest and Paper Association

American Frozen Food Institute

American Meat Institute

American Seed Trade Association

American Soybean Association

American Sugar Alliance

American Vintners Association

Animal Health Institute

Archer Daniels Midland

Biotechnology Industry Organization

Blue Diamond Growers

Bunge Corporation

Cargill, Inc.

Cenex Harvest States

Central Soya Company, Inc.

Cerestar USA

CF Industries, Inc.

Chocolate Manufacturers Association

CoBank

ConAgra, Inc.

ContiGroup Companies, Inc.

Corn Refiners Association, Inc.

Dairy Farmers of America

Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

Elanco Animal Health

Farmland Industries, Inc.

Florida Citrus Mutual

Food Distributors International

Frozen Potato Products Institute

Grocery Manufacturers of America

GROWMARK

Iams Company

IMC Global Inc.

Independent Community Bankers of America

International Dairy Foods Association

Kraft Foods

Land O’Lakes

Louis Dreyfus Corporation

Mid-America International Agri-Trade Council

Miller Brewing Company

Monsanto Company

National Association of Animal Breeders

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture

National Association of Wheat Growers

National Barley Growers Association

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

National Chicken Council

National Confectioners Association

National Corn Growers Association

National Council of Farmer Cooperatives

National Food Processors Association

National Grain & Feed Association

National Grain Sorghum Producers

National Grange

National Livestock Producers Association

National Milk Producers Federation

National Oilseed Processors Association

National Pork Producers Council

National Potato Council

National Renderers Association

National Sunflower Association

National Turkey Federation

Nebraska Cooperative Council

North American Export Grain Association

North American Millers’ Association

Northwest Horticultural Council

Pet Food Institute

Philip Morris International

Pioneer Hi-Bred International

Rice Miller’s Association

Snack Food Association

Southern States Cooperative, Inc.

Sunkist Growers

The Fertilizer Institute

United Egg Association

United Egg Producers

United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association

USA Poultry & Egg Export Council

U.S. Apple Association

U.S. Canola Association

U.S. Dairy Export Council

U.S. Meat Export Federation

U.S. Rice Producers Association

U.S. Rice Producers’ Group

U.S. Wheat Associates

Western Farm Credit Bank

Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association

Wheat Export Trade Education Committee

Wine Institute

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