Monday, May 12, 2008
Farm Bill Includes Vital Trade Benefits for Haiti, Caribbean Basin
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House and Senate negotiators have outlined a final agreement on the farm bill. The bipartisan legislation will include extensions of critical trade preferences for Haiti and the Caribbean Basin aimed at fighting poverty and hunger and strengthening economic ties between the U.S. and the region. The provisions were championed by Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), a long-time supporter of trade preferences for the Caribbean.
“The Farm Bill should promote nutrition and enhance food access at home and abroad,” said Chairman Rangel. “You can’t always spread democracy with a rifle and this bill improves on existing measures to address the crisis in Haiti caused by rising food prices and persistent poverty. By extending and strengthening provisions that would soon expire, we can help give a sense of certainty to investors to continue the economic growth and development we have built in the Caribbean region, while creating new opportunities for American workers, farmers and businesses.” |
