HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 17
INTRODUCED BY PETERSON, BALLANTYNE, BECKER, BERGREN, BIXBY, BOOKOUT-REINICKE, D. BROWN, BRUEGGEMAN, CALLAHAN, CYR, DEVLIN, DICKENSON, FRITZ, FUCHS, GALVIN-HALCRO, GOLIE, HAWK, HEDGES, JACOBSON, JENT, KASTEN, LAKE, LASZLOFFY, LEHMAN, LEWIS, LINDEEN, MALCOLM, MENDENHALL, MORGAN, MUSGROVE, NEWMAN, PATTISON, RASER, RICE, ROSS, SALES, SCHRUMPF, SINRUD, SHOCKLEY, SMALL-EASTMAN, WANZENRIED, WAITCHIES, WINDY BOY, WITT, YOUNKIN, HAINES
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER THE IMPACT OF PROPOSED TRADE AGREEMENTS ON MONTANA'S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY AND STRONGLY URGING UNITED STATES OFFICIALS TO CONSIDER THE IMPACTS ON THAT INDUSTRY IN NEGOTIATING THESE TRADE AGREEMENTS.
WHEREAS, agriculture has long been the cornerstone of Montana's economy and maintaining the viability of that industry is vital to our economic growth; and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of the world's population lives outside the United States and the ability to export Montana agricultural products is critical to continued viability and growth of Montana's agricultural industry; and
WHEREAS, the President has signed into law legislation that provides the President with trade promotion authority; and
WHEREAS, United States trade representative Robert Zoellick has notified Congress of the administration's intention to commence free trade agreement negotiations with Australia; and
WHEREAS, past trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), have not always resulted in fair and free trade opportunities for agriculture; and
WHEREAS, a multilateral agreement is much more likely to result in improved trade conditions for United States agricultural producers than would a bilateral agreement that would fracture and weaken agriculture's support for trade.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
(1) That United States trade representatives be strongly urged to seek additional opportunities for multilateral agreements that will expand agricultural export opportunities.
(2) That if United States trade representatives choose to proceed with a bilateral agreement with Australia or any other country the following provisions be adopted as part of any bilateral agreement:
(a) United States farm programs may not be unilaterally reduced or phased out;
(b) United States agricultural tariffs may not be further reduced unless the other country reduces its tariffs to United States levels;
(c) market access must be reciprocal;
(d) nontariff barriers must be eliminated;
(e) export subsidies must be eliminated or harmonized; and
(f) health requirements for imports must be strictly adhered to and utmost caution must be used to protect the U.S. cattle industry from bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), foot-and-mouth disease, bovine tuberculosis, and other highly transmissible diseases.
(3) That improvements be made in international trade disciplinary and dispute resolution procedures and the United States be committed to using available tools to protect agricultural interests.
(4) That copies of this resolution be sent by the Secretary of State to President George W. Bush and the Montana Congressional Delegation.
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