Nebraska Cattlemen appreciates Senator Mike Johanns’ leadership in urging Congress to immediately ratify the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (KORUS FTA) - one of the most important bilateral trade agreements in the history of the U.S. beef industry.

Johanns listened to concerns from Nebraska Cattlemen and authored a letter to President Obama supporting his pledge to double American exports and pass pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. The President announced this goal during his State of the Union address.

Leading the charge to help further open the South Korean market to beef from the U.S., Johanns persuaded Senate Ag Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln and 17 other U.S. Senators to sign the letter.

Senator Lincoln says opening more markets for agricultural producers will help farmers and rural communities who have felt the devastating effects of the current economic climate.
“It is clear,” NC Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey said, “Senator Johanns understands what ratifying the agreement means to Nebraska’s cattle producers.”

Nebraska is the nation’s largest beef exporting state and South Korea has traditionally been the third largest market for U.S. beef. Senator Johanns’ experience as Nebraska Governor and as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is evident and we really appreciate his strong leadership on this issue, Kelsey said.

NC took policy to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention late last month calling on the national organization to urge Congress to immediately ratify the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. According to South Korean Economic Minister Choi, who addressed attendees at the International Markets Committee meeting during the convention, U.S. competitors such as Australia are well on their way to finalizing free-trade agreements with Korea, putting U.S. competitiveness at risk for years to come. The resolution was passed out of committee, approved by the Board of Directors and the NCBA membership.

The Nebraska Cattlemen association serves as the representative for the state’s beef cattle industry and represents professional cattle breeders, ranchers and feeders, as well as county and local cattlemen’s associations. Its headquarters are in Lincoln and a second office in Alliance serves cattlemen in western Nebraska. This and other Nebraska Cattlemen information is available at www.nebraskacattlemen.org.