Washington, D.C. (July 26, 2017) – Today, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing to discuss possible opportunities for agriculture in the renegotiation of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

NAWG President and Sharon Springs, Kansas farmer David Schemm made the following statement:

“NAWG’s number one priority in the NAFTA renegotiation is ‘Do No Harm.’ After viewing the administration’s objectives for renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement, NAWG is optimistic. The objectives identify agriculture as an area to maintain and improve market access. This is crucial for wheat growers who have seen significant gains in the Mexican market since NAFTA was implemented.

“NAWG agrees that renegotiation can set the stage for a stronger trade agreement, but as any trade agreement covers many different areas, we must ensure that a meaningful ag piece of the renegotiation process doesn’t get undermined or retaliated against.

“There are several elements of the trade agreement that could be re-examined and modernized. A good place to start is with the updated rules on sanitary and phytosanitary health and safety standards that the three countries already agreed to as part of the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiation.

“NAWG will continue to engage with the U.S. government and Congress through the renegotiating process.” The first round of negotiations will begin on August 16, 2017 in Washington, DC., NAWG supports the confirmation of Greggory Doud as the chief agricultural negotiator before the renegotiations begin.