Smith Urges USTR Kirk to Push for Strong SPS Measures in Trans-Pacific Partnership

Washington, DC – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) led a bipartisan letter with Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) urging U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to ensure the strongest possible sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to promote American agricultural exports across the Asia-Pacific region.

“America’s farmers and ranchers are among the most productive and efficient in the world, producing high quality agricultural products sought by consumers across the globe,” said Smith. “However, time and again our producers are confronted with import barriers in foreign markets which are not science-based.

“I urge Ambassador Kirk to use the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations to establish more robust SPS measures which will strengthen the role of science in the international marketplace and protect U.S. agricultural exports from unfair restrictions.”

Background:

The TPP has been in the negotiating process since 2008 and includes the United States, along with Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam. Recently, Mexico and Canada have joined the talks, and Japan has expressed interest as well. The participating countries are continuing to make progress towards a final deal. The next negotiating round of the TPP will take place in Leesburg, Virginia from September 6-15, 2012.

SPS measures seek to ensure consumers are being supplied with safe food, and strict health and safety regulations are not being used as an excuse for protecting domestic producers.

Click here to view a PDF version of Congressman Smith’s letter to Ambassador Kirk.

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