Tom Latham: “I am quite concerned about how this amendment would affect agriculture and agricultural exports. A few of the groups…”

“I am quite concerned about how this amendment would affect agriculture and agricultural exports. A few of the groups that support this legislation and oppose the amendment, the American Farm Bureau, the Blue Diamond Growers, National Broiler Council, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, oppose the Oberstar amendment and support the legislation as is. I think it is critical to look as far as how it affects agriculture, the fact that in 1996 we expect to export about 60 billion dollars' worth of products, and 18 percent of the cost of exporting in the transportation sector is due to the fact that we have to disclose at this time what our rates are but our competitors overseas do not have to disclose their rates. In effect, what is happening is that if when we post our rates, our competitors come in and see what it is and just simply undercut us and we lose that business, but we still pay a premium here and it certainly is unfair.”