Doubled exports not necessarily all ag

WASHINGTON — Three congressional lawmakers Feb. 2 urged the Obama administration to push for congressional approval of pending trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea after Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said President Obama’s State of the Union commitment to doubling exports in five years did not mean that the administration has pledged to double agriculture exports in five years.

In his State of the Union speech, Obama said, “We will double our exports over the next five years, an increase that will support 2 million jobs in America. To help meet this goal, we’re launching a National Export Initiative that will help farmers and small businesses increase their exports, and reform export controls consistent with national security. “

But when asked at his briefing on the fiscal year 2011 budget about that statement, Vilsack said the president “was not suggesting by referring to agriculture that there was going to be a doubling of agriculture exports.” Vilsack added that Obama has not announced sectoral targets or “apportioned” responsibility, but said he, Trade Representative Ron Kirk and Commerce Secretary Gary Locke soon will announce details of the export initiative.

In his speech, Obama also said his administration would enforce trade agreements, “continue to shape a Doha trade agreement that opens global markets” and “strengthen our trade relations in Asia and with key partners like South Korea, Panama and Colombia.”

Vilsack noted that the president’s budget includes some shifts in USDA export programs and a plan to send more technical teams overseas to work with foreign officials on export certificates and other agreements that could remove barriers to U.S. products.

Stalled trade agreements

Farm groups that have been working for congressional approval of free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama and Colombia noted that Obama did not call on Congress specifically to approve the free trade agreements. Of the free trade agreements, Vilsack said Feb. 1, “We hope they go ahead.”

On hearing of Vilsack’s statement, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., who had written Obama Jan. 29 urging passage of the agreements, 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. Approving the Colombia, South Korea and Panama trade agreements will increase agriculture exports, create new jobs and improve our nation’s economy.”

Senate Agriculture Committee ranking member Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said, “Farmers and ranchers should not be left out of the president’s agenda. U.S. agriculture is one of the sectors that can immediately benefit from the pending free trade agreements and increased attention to enforcement. Agriculture already exports more than it imports and we can do more by reducing tariff and nontariff barriers around the world.”

House Agriculture ranking member Frank Lucas, R-Okla., said, “The administration has been virtually absent on the issue despite the fact that the potential for these markets is critically important in this current economic climate. We can’t live on hope. If these free trade agreements are to pass, the administration has to push for them on the Hill, and it hasn’t done that.”