National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Representing the Business Interests of Agriculture

Washington, DC – "The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) is withholding its support for the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement pending a satisfactory resolution of issues regarding U.S. beef exports to the Republic of Korea.

"As mandated by the World Trade Organization (WTO), U.S. agricultural exports cannot be arbitrarily excluded from markets. Market access restrictions must be based on sound science as determined by international standard-setting bodies. Unfortunately, South Korea has failed to adhere to those standards and continues to resist reopening their market to U.S. beef, despite overwhelming scientific justification for such action.

"At the same time, NCFC is extremely disappointed that the Korea Free Trade Agreement does not include market access for America's rice producers. We urge the Administration to continue to press for meaningful market access and a level playing field for U.S. agriculture, including rice, as global trade negotiations through the WTO move forward.

"Despite these specific issues, we would like to recognize the round-the-clock efforts of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the Department of Agriculture and the industry advisory committees in attempting to arrive at the best possible outcome for American agriculture. South Korea's market, if truly free of unreasonable tariff and non-tariff barriers, represents an outstanding opportunity for U.S. agricultural exports.

"In 2005, total U.S. agricultural exports to South Korea were $2.2 billion, making it the sixth largest market for U.S. ag exports."

NCFC is a national association representing America's farmer cooperatives. There are nearly 3,000 farmer cooperatives across the U.S. whose members include a majority of our nation's more than 2 million farmers, ranchers and growers. These farmer cooperative businesses handle, process, and market agricultural commodities and related products; furnish farm supplies; and provide credit and associated financial services. Earnings from these activities are returned to their members on a patronage basis. Farmer cooperatives also provide jobs for nearly 250,000 Americans, many in rural areas, with a combined payroll of over $8 billion.