| February 12, 2007 | For Immediate Release |
Contact: Scott Openshaw 202-295-3957 |
(Washington, D.C.) The Grocery Manufacturers/Food Products Association (GMA/FPA) issued the following statement from GMA/FPA senior vice president and chief government affairs officer Mary Sophos, regarding today’s announcement of the formation of Trade for America, a broad-based business and agriculture coalition advocating for bipartisan consensus on trade and investment policy:
“GMA/FPA and our member companies strongly believe renewal of presidential trade negotiating authority before it expires on June 30, 2007 is critical to ensuring that American business, agriculture and workers are able to continue to compete in the rapidly changing global economy. We are very pleased to join Trade for America, and along with our partners across the business and agriculture spectrum we are committed to ensuring our country’s success at the world’s negotiating table and future trade growth.
The U.S. food and agriculture sector is dependent on exports for continued growth and profitability. However, high tariffs, subsidies and non-tariff barriers are locking our food and agriculture products out of many foreign markets. Trade promotion authority will open markets and promote U.S. agriculture and food products overseas, creating new opportunities to sell products and services abroad, and consumers will benefit from lower prices and greater choices here at home.
GMA/FPA urges Congress to extend the President’s trade promotion authority, and looks forward to working with both parties to build a bipartisan consensus on the future of U.S. trade.”
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The Grocery Manufacturers/Food Products Association (GMA/FPA) represents the world’s leading food, beverage and consumer products companies. The association promotes sound public policy, champions initiatives that increase productivity and growth and helps to protect the safety and security of the food supply through scientific excellence. The GMA/FPA board of directors is comprised of chief executive officers from the Association’s member companies. The $2.1 trillion food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry employs 14 million workers, and contributes over $1 trillion in added value to the nation’s economy. For more information, visit the GMA Web site at www.gmabrands.com.