Washington, D.C. (April 27, 2021)—A dozen farm and agribusiness groups today sent a letter to Ambassador Katherine Tai, the U.S. Trade Representative, to discuss the role that American agriculture can play in helping meet climate goals and the influence this will have on trade negotiations in the future.
The letter comes in response to remarks that Amb. Tai made recently on “Trade Policy, the Environment and Climate Change.” Signing onto the letter were the Agricultural Retailers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Seed Trade Association, American Soybean Association, CropLife America, Farm Credit Council, National Cotton Council, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, USA Rice, and the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
“As an industry, agriculture does not always get the recognition it deserves for the practices already put in place, but we continue to be committed to improving production practices to reduce our impact on the environment,” the letter states. “This has become more valuable than ever as supply chain partners field questions from consumers who are increasingly interested in helping the environment; as the United States enters into climate agreements with global partners to reduce GHG emissions; and as the data and technologies to help reduce emissions and sequester carbon become better and more accessible.”
The groups note that they support voluntary, market- and incentive-based policies, advancing science-based outcomes and helping rural economies better adapt to climate change. They note that farmers and ranchers are innovating every day to address climate change and that public policy can help drive both reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and increases in farm income.
“While you discuss the convergence of trade and the environment with your international counterparts,” the letter concludes, “we look forward to engaging further with you and your staff regarding the great strides the U.S. agriculture industry has made, and continues to make, toward environmental sustainability and climate goals.”
A copy of the letter can be found at: http://ncfc.org/letter/agriculture-letter-ambassador-tai-regarding-environment-climate-change/.
About NCFC
Since 1929, NCFC has been the voice of America’s farmer cooperatives. Our members are regional and national farmer cooperatives, which are in turn composed of nearly 2,000 local farmer cooperatives across the country. NCFC members also include 26 state and regional councils of cooperatives. Farmer cooperatives allow individual farmers the ability to own and lead organizations that are essential for continued competitiveness in both the domestic and international markets.
America’s farmer-owned cooperatives provide a comprehensive array of services for their members. These diverse organizations handle, process and market virtually every type of agricultural commodity. They also provide farmers with access to infrastructure necessary to manufacture, distribute and sell a variety of farm inputs. Additionally, they provide credit and related financial services, including export financing.
