| 10/9/2003 Goodlatte Talks Trade Failure - 10/6 Agriculture Law Goodlatte noted that Brazil seemed to be motivated more by a left-leaning socialist political agenda than by what is in the best interest of their agriculture sector. While Brazil styles itself as a developing nation, their agricultural sector is highly sophisticated and developed, thus it would seem to be in their best interest to see tariffs lowered in other developing nations, Goodlatte said. He remained optimistic that progress would eventually be realized in these negotiations. The chairman also said he was concerned about the approach the new Department of Homeland Security was taking in assuming responsibility for agriculture inspections at ports and borders. Earlier, House Agriculture Committee staff briefed commodity organization representatives about their concern that the Department of Homeland Security was uninformed about the special needs of agriculture in staffing border inspection positions. One staff member called it "a train wreck waiting to happen." Goodlatte noted that one of the reasons he became a member of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security was to provide better oversight of agricultural issues. There is a possibility that the Select Committee on Homeland Security, chaired by Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA), may hold an oversight hearing on this issue in the near future. Meanwhile commodity organizations are planning to meet with Homeland Security officials to better assess the situation. Related Link: http://www.agriculturelaw.com |
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