Camp Statement on CAFTA Vote
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7/28/2005
Washington, DC - U.S. Rep. Dave Camp (R-Midland) today issued the following statement regarding the House vote on DR-CAFTA. Camp voted in favor of the measure which covers trade policy between the U.S. and the Central American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, as well as in the Dominican Republic
"This is one of the tougher decisions I have made as a member of Congress. After carefully weighing the impact of CAFTA on our agriculture industry as a whole, I believe voting yes was the right decision. I am a firm believer in fair-trade and leveling the playing field for our workers, farmers and businesses. The U.S. market is already open and CAFTA removes the trade barriers for U.S. goods and farm products being shipped to CAFTA countries.
"Opening new markets under CAFTA will help the vast majority of our manufacturers and our farmers - especially those in dairy, soybeans and corn. I am also pleased that CAFTA has tougher environmental and labor standards than any previous trade agreement.
"There has been a lot of talk about the impact CAFTA will have on agriculture. Michigan farmers aren't large corporate operations and our farmers make their living on the margins. CAFTA improves the bottom line for virtually every commodity other than sugar. I know these are uncertain times for Michigan sugar beet farmers, but in good conscience I could not turn away from all of those farm families at the request of only one commodity - sugar.
"As we move forward, we cannot ignore the impact an increase in imported sugar will have on the domestic market and especially our local sugar beet growers. As we deal with the realities of a global economy, we have an obligation to ensure the transition is a smooth as possible for everyone involved. That is why I fought to get our growers the best deal possible.
"Ultimately, and despite a lot of initial resistance from the administration, I was able to personally negotiate that there would be no increases in imported sugar as long as the current Farm Bill is in place. That gives us two-and-a-half years to address a global solution to the sugar problem. The dumping of sugar into the world market, especially by heavily subsidized producers in Europe, cannot continue. I am dedicated to finding a solution for our farmers."
http://wwwc.house.gov/camp/newsarticle.asp?RecordID=821