Agriculture Issues By:JenandJenna

CAFTA-DR The Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement The Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement One of the most important trade issues facing the industry this decade One of the most important trade issues facing the industry this decade Not only affects the way we trade in the world marketplace, but the outcome of the legislation will have significant impacts on U.S. agriculture Not only affects the way we trade in the world marketplace, but the outcome of the legislation will have significant impacts on U.S. agriculture

CAFTA-DR has been signed by the governments of the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The next step is for the administration to send the agreement to Capitol Hill for a vote CAFTA-DR has been signed by the governments of the United States, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The next step is for the administration to send the agreement to Capitol Hill for a vote Bob Stallman President, American Farm Bureau says, “As I see it, a vote for CAFTA-DR is a vote for U.S. agriculture” Bob Stallman President, American Farm Bureau says, “As I see it, a vote for CAFTA-DR is a vote for U.S. agriculture”

The agreement is expected to result in nearly $1.5 billion in agricultural exports after full implementation The agreement is expected to result in nearly $1.5 billion in agricultural exports after full implementation Because tariffs on practically all U.S. products entering CAFTA-DR nations will fall to zero percent after implementation, the agreement provides balance and positions U.S. agriculture to better compete in this market. Because tariffs on practically all U.S. products entering CAFTA-DR nations will fall to zero percent after implementation, the agreement provides balance and positions U.S. agriculture to better compete in this market.

CAFTA-DR will give U.S. agriculture exports a competitive advantage over other nations because trade barriers the United States has faced will be eliminated, allowing what will eventually be free entry of U.S. products -- entry that will not be afforded to other countries like the European Union, Canada and Brazil. CAFTA-DR will give U.S. agriculture exports a competitive advantage over other nations because trade barriers the United States has faced will be eliminated, allowing what will eventually be free entry of U.S. products -- entry that will not be afforded to other countries like the European Union, Canada and Brazil.

The other side Some skeptics of the CAFTA-DR argue the agreement will kill the U.S. sugar industry by bringing in foreign sugar. Some skeptics of the CAFTA-DR argue the agreement will kill the U.S. sugar industry by bringing in foreign sugar. The additional access to the U.S. market for sugar producers in the region amounts to only one and a half teaspoons per week for every American. That translates to about 1.5 percent of domestic U.S. sugar production. The additional access to the U.S. market for sugar producers in the region amounts to only one and a half teaspoons per week for every American. That translates to about 1.5 percent of domestic U.S. sugar production. Increased sugar imports from the CAFTA- DR nations would amount to less than one-quarter of 1 percent of total trade with the region. In all, the U.S. sugar industry will experience approximately an $80.5 million negative impact on an approximate $2.1 billion domestic industry. Overall, CAFTA-DR will provide a net $1.35 billion positive impact to the rest of American agriculture. Increased sugar imports from the CAFTA- DR nations would amount to less than one-quarter of 1 percent of total trade with the region. In all, the U.S. sugar industry will experience approximately an $80.5 million negative impact on an approximate $2.1 billion domestic industry. Overall, CAFTA-DR will provide a net $1.35 billion positive impact to the rest of American agriculture.

Even with that minimal impact to the sugar industry, there are safeguards in place. The agreement includes a provision allowing the U.S. government to shut off imports of CAFTA-DR sugar if it harms the U.S. sugar industry. Further, the U.S. will continue to apply tariffs on all CAFTA-DR sugar imports exceeding quota amounts Even with that minimal impact to the sugar industry, there are safeguards in place. The agreement includes a provision allowing the U.S. government to shut off imports of CAFTA-DR sugar if it harms the U.S. sugar industry. Further, the U.S. will continue to apply tariffs on all CAFTA-DR sugar imports exceeding quota amounts

Yuma FB drives to keep ag equipment on roadways Yuma FB, DPS, and ADOT are working toward a solution to move farm equipment more safely on the roadways. Yuma FB, DPS, and ADOT are working toward a solution to move farm equipment more safely on the roadways. DPS is concerned that farm equipment cannot move at normal roadway speed with traffic DPS is concerned that farm equipment cannot move at normal roadway speed with traffic DPS is trying to restrict farm machinery from using I 8, which is the major route through Yuma DPS is trying to restrict farm machinery from using I 8, which is the major route through Yuma

Farmers are willing to use safer alternative roadway if one existed Farmers are willing to use safer alternative roadway if one existed ADOT received grant $ to upgrade side roads with guardrails for regular motorists, which narrowed the roads making them more dangerous for farm equipment ADOT received grant $ to upgrade side roads with guardrails for regular motorists, which narrowed the roads making them more dangerous for farm equipment It is easier and faster for farmers to move their equipment on roadways than to disassemble them and move them on a truck (disassembly takes time and $) It is easier and faster for farmers to move their equipment on roadways than to disassemble them and move them on a truck (disassembly takes time and $)

What farmers and ranchers are supposed to do Use reflective tape on widest part of tractor Use reflective tape on widest part of tractor Have flashing lights and SMV sign Have flashing lights and SMV sign Avoid rush hr. Avoid rush hr. When moving several pieces of equipment, spread them out so traffic can pass When moving several pieces of equipment, spread them out so traffic can pass Remember 5 car rule Remember 5 car rule Travel in right lane Travel in right lane

Questions? Jen: Jen: Jenna: Jenna: