National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Representing the Business Interests of Agriculture

Washington, D.C.--Today the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) expressed disappointment that the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations have missed the April 30th deadline for reaching a more detailed agreement to move the Doha round trade talks forward.

“Our international competitors have failed to bring to the table a serious proposal for agriculture. Last fall, the United States stepped forward with a bold comprehensive package that will provide meaningful progress for the developing and developed world,” said Jean-Mari Peltier, NCFC President and CEO. “Yet since the Hong Kong ministerial, obstructionist nations have stalled the negotiations by squabbling over secondary issues and avoiding the task of real reform.”

“We are pleased that the U.S. is refusing to give up on the negotiations by sending a delegation of senior USDA and USTR officials to Geneva this week. Their mission is evidence of America’s continued optimism that a deal can be reached despite the disappointing progress thus far,” continued Peltier.

NCFC is the national trade association representing farmer-owned cooperatives and their members, who in turn comprise a majority of America’s two million farmers, ranchers and growers. Farmer-owned cooperatives empower American farmers in marketing, processing, sourcing, supplying and financing their activities in today’s competitive global marketplace. This allows agricultural producers to capture more of the value of the food dollar beyond the farm gate.

“A host of trade experts and international economists recognize that the most significant gains in the Doha round will come from lowering tariff and non-tariff barriers across the developed and developing world,” Peltier continued. “However the focus of discussions over the last few months has been on preferences for products from developing countries and food aid. Real progress in international economic development will not be realized without expanded market access worldwide.”