WASHINGTON (July 29, 2002) – National Farmers Union is urging U.S. senators to reject the trade promotion authority (TPA) conference report passed by the House late last Friday.

Just before leaving for its month-long recess, the House approved the H.R. 3009 conference report by a 215 to 212 vote. The Senate is expected to take up the conference report this week prior to departing for its August recess.

"Farmers Union is disappointed in the House action and is urging the Senate to reject the TPA conference report," said NFU President Dave Frederickson. "The legislation fails to address the major issues effecting U.S. agriculture’s international competitiveness, such as exchange rates, currency valuations and labor and environmental standards."

Frederickson said the administration’s recent World Trade Organization proposal for agriculture clearly illustrates how TPA would be detrimental to domestic producers. "The U.S. trade proposal could cut assistance provided in the recently passed farm bill and could eventually eliminate future domestic support programs," he said. "It could also weaken domestic trade remedy protections against the unfair trade practices of other countries."

The conference committee dropped from the TPA report a Senate amendment designed to protect domestic trade remedy laws. It also weakened trade adjustment assistance language originally adopted by the Senate.

"TPA leaves Congress in a take-it-or-leave-it position in trade pacts," Frederickson said. "Members of Congress should maintain the right to fully review and amend trade provisions on behalf of the constituent interests they represent."

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