Date: 1988-04-21
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

I thank the gentleman. Mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of the conference report on H.R. 3. the omnibus trade bill. This conference report is the result of long and most difficult negotiations between the two bodies of this Congress. and Chairman ROSTENKOWSKI of the Ways and Means Committee and Chairman GInfONS of the Trade Subcommittee deserve a great deal of credit for their persistence in pursuing Improvements In our trade laws designed to help the United States become more competitive. Even though there are some reports that the President will veto H.R. 3. there is a tremendous amount in this bill of which we may be proud. For my part. I have worked as hard as possible in the agricultural subconferencesubconference VIto ensure that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is provided with tools needed to enhance the effectiveness of its international programs. I commend my colleagues who served on subconference VIfor their diligence in helping to fashion a good agricultural trade title for this legislation. Its purpose is to increase the effectiveness of the Department of Agriculture in agricultural trade policy formulation and implementation. We have provided as a first step in this process. authorization for an increase in personnel for the Departments principal trade agency. the Forelan Agricultural Service. to not less than 900 fulltime employees. We encourage the Department to ensure that this increase. which we view s a priority area. be implemented as f.arly as possible. We have provided authorization for an increase in appropriations of $20 million through fiscal year 1990 for the Foreign Agricultural Service to be used for market development purposes. This increase will allow for an expansion of the agricultural attache service and international trade policy activities. enhancement of the Foreign Agricultural Service worldwide market information system. and an increase in the number and quality of trade shows and exhibitions conducted by the agency. The conference report will also enable farmers. exporters and others interested in obtaining data on agricultural trade. or who believe they have been injured by unfair trade practices. to go to one office within the Department of Agriculture for assistance. Provisions to strengthen the position of our negotiators in their effort to improve the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade [GATT] are also included. Specifically. the President could trigger a marketing loan program whereby prices of U.S. grains and soybeans would be allowed to go to world marketclearing levels. or the President could use targeted export subsidies to reclaim lost U.S. markets. These options could be used based on progress made in the GATT talks on agricultural trade. These and other provisions included in title IVagricultural tradeare explained further in the summary that follows my statement. In closing. I wish to thank again the conferees on subconference VI for their many contributions and hard work on this conference report. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this legislation. Let us pass it with enough votes so that the President understands fully Congress commitment to free and fair trade.