Before the administration changes NAFTA, or any other trade agreement, it ought to analyze the impact on agriculture and tell farmers what to expect in the export market, said 18 farm-state senators in a letter to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. “The agriculture industry does not want to see momentum hindered, especially at a time when net farm income has declined by approximately 50 percent over the past four years,” wrote the senators.
“As such, we request an economic analysis that examines and evaluates the impacts to crop and livestock sectors as a result of any change to NAFTA,” said the letter. Exports account for 20 percent of farm income. While farm groups generally support the White House goal of modernizing NAFTA, they want to avoid disrupting markets. NAFTA now guarantees duty-free access to Canada and Mexico for U.S. farm exports.
The letter indirectly refers to Ross’ recent remarks that farm-sector concerns were overblown. “We write you today to underscore the vital role that agriculture plays throughout our home states and across America,” said the senators, who included Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts. The letter was organized by Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota and Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas.