OKLAHOMA CITY — American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union (AFR/OFU) President Scott Blubaugh is pleased the White House and Congress have come to an agreement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). After many months of negotiations, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi made the long-awaited announcement Dec. 10.
“I am thrilled Congress and the White House have finally come to an agreement on USMCA,” said AFR/OFU Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh. “While we didn’t get everything we had hoped for, the agreement is a vast improvement over NAFTA and is a step in the right direction. This agreement should clear the way for a deal with China. Hopefully, this is the breakthrough America’s farmers and ranchers have been looking for.”
While text of the agreement is not yet available, policymakers and producers alike are optimistic. In Washington, National Farmers Union has advocated for greater protection for American family farmers and ranchers, including stronger labor, environment, and enforcement provisions. The organization has also lobbied for the inclusion of stronger anti-dumping protections for agricultural goods and re-establishment of Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL).
AFR/OFU Cooperative is a membership services organization established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union. AFR/OFU provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and serves as a watchdog for Oklahoma’s family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. The organization is actively supportive of the state’s agricultural industry and rural population with membership consisting of farmers actively involved in production agriculture and non-farmers adding their voice in support of AFR/OFU principles.
–AFR/OFU Cooperative
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