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AFI Agriculture & International Trade Committee
May 4-6, 2000
AFI Spring Meeting Summary

The NCSL AFI Spring Meeting was held from May 4-6, 2000 in Washington, D.C. During that time, the committee met with representatives of the federal government and the private sector to discuss pressing issues affecting agriculture and international trade. Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, the U.S. Trade Representative, opened NCSL's Spring Assembly on Federal Issues meeting in Washington, D.C. on May 5 with a spirited presentation on Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with China. The NCSL Agriculture and International Trade committee narrowly defeated an action calendar resolution on this issue. In other action, the committee renewed its policy on agricultural trade with new language related to Presidential "fast track" negotiating authority, environmental and labor standards. The committee also passed a policy calling on Congress to review the transfer of intellectual property rights in publicly-funded research. The committee defeated policies supporting a federal moratorium on agricultural mergers and assumption of the duties of the Packers and Stockyards Act by the Department of Justice. Copies of all of the policies and handouts are available from Dave Naftzger at 202-624-8662. Information is also available on the committee's home page.

TMDLs - A New Way to Regulate Water Quality
Joint Meeting with the NCSL Environment Committee

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new rules that would require states to set "total maximum daily loads" (TMDLs) for streams and lakes that do not meet standards. This session focused on how the new rule would impact agricultural and forestry runoff.

State Land Grant Universities: Time for New Federal Regulation or Support

Are private corporations benefiting unfairly from taxpayer-supported research to the detriment of family farms? The committee heard presentations on this question and then adopted a policy on intellectual property in publicly-funded research.

Should Congress grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR), despite its questionable record on issues such as human rights and labor protections? The committee considered this question and then defeated an action calendar resolution. Members did renew standing policy on agricultural trade with amended language concerning Presidential "fast-track" negotiating authority.

Consolidated Agriculture: Family Farm Predator or New Generation World-beater?

This session concentrated on the unprecedented merger and acquisition activity reshaping the agricultural marketplace. The committee defeated policy supporting the transfer of duties under the Packers and Stockyards Act to the U.S. Department of Justice and a federal moratorium on agricultural mergers.

The Agriculture and International Trade committee will reconvene July 15-20 at the NCSL Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois. Please plan to join us for this important event!

Staff contacts: David Naftzger, Steve Smith

AFI Agriculture & International Trade Committee

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