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Ag groups form coalition in support of NAFTA

Leaders from the US food and agricultural sector have created a new coalition in support of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Americans for Farmers and Families is highlighting the impact of NAFTA on the economy and Joshua Baca, spokesperson for the coalition, says 43 million US jobs depend on trade with Canada and Mexico.

“We want to make sure that this side of the story is told.. There are a lot of stories out there about what NAFTA has or hasn’t done,” he says. “The reality for the food and agriculture sector is, NAFTA has been a huge job and economic boost for the industry. We want to be a helpful dialogue in helping policymakers across the country understand what that impact is.”

He tells Brownfield there are many efforts to advocate for NAFTA, but something that makes the coalition unique is that it represents the food and agriculture sectors.

Baca says the coalition wants to see NAFTA sustained and modernized for the 21st century. He says the group does not want the US to withdraw from the agreement as President Trump has threatened to do.

“Farm belt voters supported the president by nearly a 3 to 1 margin in the last election,” he says. “The people who make up our coalition have largely the ranking file to make up the base of the president. We want to make sure these dots are connected and anything that takes NAFTA back, makes changes that are not good for our coalition, is going to impact those same people.”

Corn Refiners Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, and National Pork Producers Council are spearheading the effort with more than 30 ag groups. The coalition hopes to grow those numbers and will provide educational materials.

The next round of NAFTA talks will take place in Montreal beginning January 23rd.

For more information visit https://americansforfarmersandfamilies.com/.

Audio: Joshua Baca, Americans for Farmers and Families