USA Rice Joins Coalition Sharing Ag Priorities with President-Elect

 
Jan 06, 2017
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WASHINGTON, DC – USA Rice joined 15 other agricultural organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and American Soybean Association, to congratulate President-Elect Trump and Vice President-Elect Pence and remind them of the importance of U.S. agriculture to the economy.

“The economic vitality of America’s heartland is inextricably linked to the continuing productivity of U.S. agriculture, which is an unparalleled American success story,” the letter reads.  “Agriculture and agriculture-related industries contributed $835 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2014.”

The letter also points out that enforcing existing trade agreements and expanding market access is a priority for the sector.

“Exports account for over 70 percent of U.S. production of tree nuts and cotton, over 60 percent of soybeans, and over 50 percent of rice and wheat,” reads the letter.  “Positive farm income throughout America would not be possible without access to foreign markets, trade promotion, and trade agreements.”

“As the Trump Administration settles in, this is a good time to get in front of them with some reminders about who ag is, what ag does, and what ag brings to the table – literally,” said Betsy Ward, USA Rice President & CEO, who represented rice on the coalition.  “Like everyone in the coalition, we look forward to working with the new Administration to identify opportunities that will benefit U.S. food and agriculture and American consumers.”


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