Lincoln: Expanding Trade Will Create U.S. Jobs
Press Release
U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., today said opening more markets for agricultural producers will help Arkansas farmers and rural communities who have felt the devastating effects of the current economic climate. Lincoln's comments came during a Senate Finance Committee hearing with U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk who outlined the administration's 2010 trade policy agenda.
"Agriculture is one of the only domestic industries where we enjoy a trade surplus," Lincoln said. "Production of a safe and affordable food supply creates American jobs and is something we should not take for granted. Our producers have a quality product to offer the rest of the world. It is our job to give them the open markets to do so."
Lincoln reiterated her commitment to creating jobs and putting the U.S. economy back track. She pointed out that relaxing restrictions on agricultural trade with Cuba and leveling the playing field for catfish farmers are two immediate steps that can be taken to meet this goal.
"As we look for new markets for our exports, we must work to open trade with Cuba once and for all," Lincoln said. "Cuba has an exceptionally large demand for rice, and as the largest producer of rice in the United States, Arkansas is ready to meet this demand. Opening trade relations with Cuba is long overdue and I will continue my efforts to ensure that our producers gain access to this multi-billion dollar market."
Lincoln also urged Kirk to explain his opposition to transferring catfish inspections from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as called for in the 2008 Farm Bill.
"The 2008 Farm Bill was very clear that all catfish, domestic and imported, must meet the highest USDA standards in order to ensure the health and safety of American consumers," Lincoln said. "Keeping imported catfish under FDA jurisdiction effectively places these fish under far more relaxed inspection, exposing consumers to products that originate from countries who do not abide by the same strict safety standards as we do. This is an important economic and food safety issue for not just Arkansas, but all consumers."
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