PNTR Agricultural Trade Representative will aid U.S. Farmers by U.S. Senator Peter G. Fitzgerald President Bush will soon name a Chief Agricultural Negotiator to the office of the United States Trade Representative. This appointment is good news for Illinois farmers. Illinois farmers need a strong voice in U.S. trade negotiations.
Exports account for an increasing share of our state's farm economy.
Farm exports support 57,000 jobs in Illinois. Illinois is third in the nation in agricultural exports, behind only Iowa and California. New markets exist for more exports, but we need to make sure that these markets are open to our farmers. World demand for Illinois farm products is increasing, but so is competition from foreign suppliers. I hope and expect that the new agricultural ambassador will be an aggressive advocate for farmers, pushing our trading partners to reduce barriers that keep U.S. products at bay.