National Wheat Organizations Support TPP Approval and Expansion

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) boards of directors expressed support last week for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) because it will be beneficial to U.S. wheat producers and improve their competitiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Wheat growers should support TPP,” said Brian O’Toole, a wheat farmer from Crystal, N.D., and chairman of USW. “Half of the wheat we produce each year is available for export and the prices farmers like me receive are sensitive to the demand for that wheat. TPP will not only help us compete on a more level playing field, but will also help boost the economies of the Asia Pacific region. That will boost demand for U.S. wheat and other U.S. agricultural exports.”

“TPP makes great strides in expanding trade opportunities for wheat in the Pacific Rim. This agreement lays the foundation for future trade agreements. NAWG is hopeful for quick congressional consideration and that other countries will quickly join the TPP,” said NAWG President Brett Blankenship, a wheat grower from Washtucna, Wash.

U.S. Wheat Associates is the industry’s market development organization working in more than 100 countries on behalf of America’s wheat producers. The activities of USW are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 18 state wheat commissions, in-kind support, and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. To qualify for federal funds, USW is required to prepare and submit an annual, comprehensive Unified Export Strategy that details specific market development plans for every country and region. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org or contact your state wheat commission.

NAWG is a federation of 22 state wheat grower associations that works to represent the needs and interests of wheat producers before Congress and federal agencies. Based in Washington, D.C., NAWG is grower-governed and grower-funded, and works in areas as diverse as federal farm policy, trade, environmental regulation, agricultural research and sustainability.

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