Farmers' groups urge Congress to expedite Korea FTA's ratification

A group of 42 agricultural and food organizations sent a letter to congressional leaders Thursday to call on them to cooperate with President Obama for the rapid ratification of the pending free trade deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. In the letter addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several other congressional leaders, the group welcomed Obama's announcement late last month of "his intention to set a November deadline for removing outstanding obstacles to the implementation of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement." Among the groups are the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Feed Industry Association, American Meat Institute, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, U.S. Apple Association, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council and Produce Marketing Association. "This is very welcome news for America's farmers, ranchers, food industry workers and exporters," the letter said. "Our organizations are grateful to the president for his new initiative, and we hope that you will work closely with him to ensure timely action on the implementing legislation."...more