“The decisions trade representatives reach at next week’s Fifth Ministerial Meeting in Mexico can have drastic consequences on U.S. farm programs, both policies and funding,” said Rep. Johnson.  “The WTO negotiations will help determine the American farm economy’s ability to recover through world trade and global market expansion.”

The success of U.S. trade programs is significant to Illinois farmers because about one-third of our acreage is planted for export.  Additionally, trade accounts for 28% of the value of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.  A recent university study revealed that family farmers in this country would boost their annual income by nearly $8000 if the current trade barriers were lifted.

“I approach the upcoming WTO Meeting with great optimism,” stated Johnson.  “Producers in the Midwest have battled low prices and large surpluses for far too long as parts of our world are left to starvation.  I am confident that the U.S. delegation to the WTO understands the urgent need of a solution to our ongoing farm crisis and I foresee rejuvenation in the American farm economy in the near future.”