TPA Passes with Kansas Support

Kansas Corn Growers Association celebrated passage of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015) in the Senate, following last week’s vote in the House of Representatives.

“We have Senator Roberts and Senator Moran to thank for their votes this week, and Representatives Jenkins, Yoder, Pompeo and Huelskamp  to thank for their unanimous support in the House vote last week,” KCGA CEO Greg Krissek said. “As we work to build needed markets for corn, our nation’s ability to enter into trade agreements is key.”

In a news release, the National Corn Growers Association said:

“Today is a huge victory for America’s corn farmers and the entire agricultural industry,” said Chip Bowling, a Maryland farmer and president of NCGA. “Ag exports are a major driver of the U.S. economy, supporting more than one million jobs. With greater market access, American farmers and ranchers can do even more. Thank you to both the Senate and the House of Representatives for passing Trade Promotion Authority. We look forward to a quick signature by the President.”

“With major trade negotiations underway in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, today’s vote could not have come at a better time. The U.S. is back in the driver’s seat, negotiating the best possible deal for American farmers and livestock producers in these and other future trade agreements,” said Bowling.

“We know TPA is critical to concluding trade agreements with Pacific Rim countries, the European Union and in other markets that represent demand for our grain over the next generation,” said Ron Gray, an Illinois farmer and chairman of the U.S. Grains Council, the corn industry’s overseas market development organization. “Trade policy that works for agriculture sets the rules of the road for our efforts around the globe. We are excited to work with negotiators to conclude these agreements and with buyers to increase their use of our products.”