Farm Groups Welcome USMCA Announcement

Agriculture groups applauded the announcement by House Democrats regarding a deal with the Trump Administration on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The California Farm Bureau Federation said it’s pleased by the announcement of a pending vote on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

In a statement, the California farm Bureau says the USMCA will reduce barriers to trade throughout North America.

Farm Bureau says Canada is the No. 2 market for California agricultural exports and Mexico ranks fifth.

Combined farm exports to the USMCA partners exceeded $4.3 billion in 2017, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The National Corn Growers Association President Kevin Ross says, “NCGA appreciates the bipartisan efforts between Speaker Pelosi, Ambassador Lighthizer and the House working group to reach an agreement.”

While the announcement is a step forward, agriculture groups are calling for quick passage of the agreement.

The National Chicken Council in a statement says that after a year of negotiations,” the time to act is now,” adding “We encourage swift Congressional consideration and passage of USMCA before Christmas.” 

Once the agreement is sent to Congress for a vote, Congress has 90 congressional days, 45 in the House and 45 in the Senate, to consider USMCA.