WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman Collin Peterson opposed the so-called Fast Track bill today after repeated efforts to gain greater control for agriculture were rejected by the House Leadership.  "I cannot support a trade negotiation package that leaves agriculture behind.  Trade is too critical to our farmers' futures.  I cannot allow their interests to be surrendered for the benefit of big banks and corporations." Peterson said

According to Peterson, the Fast Track bill would allow the President to enter into trade negotiations without meaningful participation by Congress.  Congress would only be allowed to vote on the final package.  The same process was used with NAFTA and the last round of GATT.  "We have given up our responsibility to look after our farmers' interests.  The same system failed with NAFTA and GATT, and without a major change, it will fail again," Peterson said.

Peterson proposed an amendment to the Fast Track bill that would have given both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees the ability to approve continued trade talks or to disallow further talks if the process was failing to produce acceptable results for American agriculture.  Under the current Fast Track procedures, these committees have no authority to stop or redirect the process when the interests of our farmers are at stake.  Although the Peterson amendment would have significantly improved the process, the House Leadership refused to allow the amendment to be considered.

"Our farmers have heard too many promises about other trade agreements that used the Fast Track process.  They've been left in the dust," Peterson said.  "With the current disaster our farmers are facing, we must demand more out of future trade talks.  I oppose Fast Track at this point because we still do not have the assurances needed for agriculture."

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