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HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORS BILL TO PROTECT MISS. & U.S. RICE FROM INDIA, CHINA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) last week joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.) in introducing legislation to protect Mississippi and U.S. rice growers against dumping of government-subsidized product from India and China.
The Prioritizing Offensive Agricultural Disputes and Enforcement Act (S.743) would increase U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cooperation in fighting unfair trade practices with the establishment of a joint task force to identify and eliminate barriers to agriculture exports of the United States.
“As a strong advocate for our agriculture industry and the ability of American producers to compete fairly on the global stage, I will remain steadfast in fighting those nations that undermine our farmers. When countries blatantly violate their WTO commitments, they must be held accountable. Giving the USDA a bigger role in trade disputes is a crucial step to safeguard a key sector of Mississippi’s and our nation’s economy. I am proud to once again support it,” Senator Hyde-Smith said.
“Louisianans want to eat rice grown in their backyard, not from the other side of the world,” said Dr. Cassidy. “The rice industry is critical to Louisiana’s economy. We must level the playing field for our rice farmers.”
“American rice and wheat farmers continue to be targeted by India’s egregious over-subsidization, and there are countless other examples. This legislation will give us the tools needed to address unfair practices and market manipulation by our trading partners to level the playing field and maintain a competitive advantage in the global marketplace,” said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.), who also cosponsored the measure.
Under S.743, the USTR would lead the joint task force, which would be responsible for more proactively monitoring upcoming Indian and Chinese industrial subsidies, rather than waiting to react after subsidies are in place. The bill, which has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee, will also require the task force to report recommendations to Congress to deal with unfair subsidies it identifies.
Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, consistently fights for fair trade and broader markets for Mississippi’s agriculture products. Last year, she played a pivotal role in securing emergency market loss assistance to sustain producers buffeted by low market prices and global competition.
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