The House Agriculture Committee held its second hearing to examine foreign agricultural subsidies this Wednesday. Members and witnesses discussed the trade-distorting effects of subsidies utilized by foreign competitors. The hearing emphasized the resulting injury to American producers and reaffirmed the need for sound United States farm policy.

The main points made in the hearing drew attention to foreign subsidies that hurt U.S. exporters, though it was suggested that Congress may need to explore taking more formal legislative action to ensure rights under various trade agreements are enforced. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway made the point that Congress might need to act to counter growing concern that foreign governments are flouting trade agreements with the U.S.

China and India were given as examples of countries that ignore their World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, which results in America’s farmers and ranchers suffering real and significant consequences. The general sentiments of the hearing were that the U.S. needs to push back on bad actors and maintain strong U.S. farm policy to allow our farmers and ranchers a fair chance to compete on the global marketplace.

The witnesses included:

Dr. Dermot Hayes, Professor and Pioneer Chair in Agribusiness, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa
Dr. Gary Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Cotton Council, Cordova, Tenn.
Mr. Jack Roney, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis, American Sugar Alliance, Arlington, Va.
Mr. Jaime Castaneda, Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives & Trade Policy, National Milk Producers Federation, Arlington, Va.