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AFI Agriculture & International Trade Committee
May 6-8, 1999, AFI Spring Meeting Summary

The NCSL AFI Spring Meeting was held from May 6-8, 1999 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. Additionally, the committee adopted two important policies related to crop insurance and beginner farmer programs. These policies will help guide NCSL's lobbying on these issues in the 106th Congress. Copies of the policies and handouts are available from Dave Naftzger at 202-624-8662. Information is also available on the committee's home page

Representative Clay Pope, Oklahoma, Chair; Representative Thomas Jackson, Alabama, Vice-Chair; and Representative Jim Poolman, North Dakota, Vice-Chair, presided over the committee sessions that are summarized below. The committee will reconvene at the NCSL Annual Meeting to be held from July 24-28, 1999 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

U.S. vs. The World: Building Agricultural Competitiveness in the 21st Century

Presiding:
Speakers:

Representative Clay Pope, Oklahoma
Michael Dunn, Undersecretary of Agriculture Marketing and Regulatory Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Michael Dwyer, Special Assistant, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Larry Schafer, Vice President, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives

Handouts:

Divided No More; Mergers Furrow a Few Farm Brows; Outlook for the Farm Economy in 1999; USDA Census of Agriculture (excerpt)

This session focused on marketing strategies, ownership structures and international competition in the context of legislative strategies to promote value-added rural development.

Fortress America or New Internationalism?
The 1999 International Trade Outlook

Presiding:
Speakers:

Representative Jim Poolman, North Dakota
Bernie Ascher, Director for Services, USTR; Sharon Bomer, Director of Agricultural Affairs and Technical Barriers to Trade, USTR; John Ellis, Director of Procurement Issues, USTR; Jim Murphy, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs, USTR; Christina Sevilla, Director for Intergovernmental Affairs, USTR

Handouts:

America and the World Trade Organization; The General Agreement on Trade in Services; The WTO Government Procurement Agreement; The World Trade Organization Works for You; FAS Press Release: USDA, USTR to Sponsor Public Listening Sessions on WTO Negotiations

This session provided an overview of President Clinton's trade agenda, the outlook for state economies and implications for our federal system.

Taking the Risk Out of Risk Management: Federal Crop Insurance Reform

Presiding:
Speakers:

Representative Thomas Jackson, Alabama
Stacy Carey, Majority Staff Director, U.S. House of Representatives Risk Management, Research and Specialty Crops Subcommittee;
John Riley, Minority Consultant, U.S. House of Representatives Risk Management, Research and Specialty Crops Subcommittee

Handouts:

Cultivating a New Approach to Crop Insurance; Farmers Sharpen Tools to Confront Business Risks

The committee discussed competing plans for federal crop insurance reform and the implications for agricultural producers.

Agriculture & International Trade Committee Business Meeting

Presiding:
Speaker:

Representative Clay Pope, Oklahoma
Wayne Nelson, President, Communicating for Agriculture

Handouts:

Exempting Aggie Bonds from the Volume Cap; Proposals to Enhance Financing Opportunities for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers; Crop Price Enhancement Program; Finance Programs for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

The committee unanimously adopted two policy resolutions: Beginner Farmer Programs and Crop Insurance. These policies were subsequently adopted at the Business Meeting.

Asian Financial Crisis: The Flu or Common Cold?

Presiding:
Speakers:

Representative Clay Pope, Oklahoma
Ricardo Gazel, Senior Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City; Josh Knights, Director, Trade Policy, Asia International Division, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; David Nelson, Director, Office of Monetary Affairs, U.S. State Department

Handouts:

Administration Faces New Trade Challenges in Wake of Global Crisis; New Commerce Data Shows Rise in Foreign Steel Imports in March; The Steel Crisis and the Costs of Protectionism; Asia Task Force - U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The aftermath of the Asian financial crisis was discussed in terms of the actions taken by the U.S. and foreign governments to create a more stable economic and financial architecture.

To receive copies of any of the above handouts please contact David Naftzger at 202-624-8662 or Jennifer Grant at 202-624-8188

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