U.S. bill aims at curbing farm imports

Press, 27 September 1986, Page 6

U.S. bill aims at curbing farm imports

NZPA-Reuter Washington A coalition of opposition Democratic lawmakers has unveiled legislation that would require a virtual ban on many farm product imports while drastically raising United States commodity prices.

Because the bill would send United States commodity prices soaring, the United States Agriculture Secretary would be required to curb commodity imports .to protect domestic price levels and prevent the forfeiture of United States grain to the Government. But the bill would have few trade repercussions because “other countries with government grain boards” would simply raise the prices of their commodities without letL- ting them exceed United States prices, said

Senator Tom Harkin. Representative Wes Watkins had harsher words for foreign competitors, saying their commodity exports to the United States “are going to destroy the American family farm.” The bill, which has not yet been passed by either house of Congress, joins several competing measures introduced recently by farm state legislators that would radically alter Government programmes for wheat, feedgrain, and soybean farmers.

The Democrats’ bill is strongly opposed by President Reagan and agribusiness, which says that sales of seed, fertiliser, equipment and other farm inputs would plummet under the plan.