The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) has called on Congress to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) before the end of the year. NASDA co-signed a letter to House and Senate leadership with over 220 organizations that represent the broad spectrum of American agriculture, all of whom stand to benefit from the passage of the 12-country free trade agreement.
Greg Ibach, Nebraska Director of Agriculture and NASDA President, has been NASDA’s chief advocate of the benefits of international trade during his decade of service to the organization. NASDA voted in February in favor of an Ibach-sponsored Action Item to support TPP.
“America’s farmers and ranchers depend on the global marketplace. TPP will open markets and eliminate trade barriers that currently prevent us from competitively providing our high-quality food and fiber to consumers in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Ibach. “TPP will open the door to increased farm income for farmers, ranchers, and value-added food producers of all sizes and production methods. This is an opportunity which Congress cannot ignore.”
NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances agriculture by forging partnerships and creating consensus to achieve sound policy outcomes between state departments of agriculture, the federal government, and stakeholders.
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