October 9, 2001

All Members of Congress
Washington, D.C.

Dear Congressman or Senator:

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) supports Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for the President of the United States. Passage of TPA would re-establish a long-standing trade policy partnership between the President and the Congress. With broad TPA, our negotiators would have the flexibility they need to initiate or enter into new bilateral or regional trade negotiations that would open foreign markets to U.S. agricultural exports.

Our trade negotiators must have the ability to enter into trade negotiations without reservation. They cannot enter into serious trade negotiations hindered by the knowledge that other countries may be less willing to negotiate earnestly with the United States–knowing that Congress may alter whatever agreements are reached. The United States should have the tools necessary to continue to play a role in the trade liberalization process. It is very important that trade liberalization continue so that the agriculture industry can compete fairly in the global marketplace. Simply stated, trade is paramount to the success of agriculture. NASDA strongly urges you to support TPA when it comes before Congress in the coming weeks.

NASDA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association of public officials comprising the Commissioners, Secretaries, and Directors of the fifty state departments of agriculture and those from the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and the Virgin Islands. Our mission is to support and promote the American agriculture industry, while protecting consumers and the environment, through the development, implementation, and communication of sound public policy and programs.

Sincerely,

<signed>

Billy Ray Smith
President, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Agriculture