Robert Smith: “I rise in support of H.R. 4647, the Selective Agricultural Embargoes Act, introduced by Mr. Ewing, the Chairman of the…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4647, the Selective Agricultural Embargoes Act, introduced by Mr. Ewing, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Risk Management and Specialty Corps. The Selective Agricultural Embargoes Act of 1998 requires the President to report to Congress on any selective embargo on agricultural commodities and specifies the period during which the embargo will be in effect. For American farmers and ranchers, trade is an essential part of their livelihood. Currently exports account for 30% of U.S. farm cash receipts and nearly 40% of all agricultural production is exported. U.S. farmers and ranchers produce much more than is consumed in the United States, therefore exports are vital to the prosperity and success of U.S. farmers and ranchers. In order to continue to meet the worldwide demand for U.S. agricultural products, farmers and ranchers must continually assess the world market to determine where those markets are for specific agricultural products. It has become increasingly difficult to make this assessment because farmers and ranchers are denied access to certain world markets due to economic sanctions and embargoes, among other reasons.”