(Le Mars) — While Congress continues to debate proposed trade agreements, Iowa’s top agriculture official says trade is essential to agriculture and especially to Iowa agriculture. Bill Northey, Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture says he is somewhat concern when he hears both major presidential candidates speak against trade pacts.
Northey says the proposed Pacific Trade Pact is another example of how agriculture benefits from trade agreements.
The Iowa Agriculture Secretary says the export of Iowa pork products is a great example of how agriculture benefits from world trade.
Northey says the shipment of beef, corn, poultry, dairy and soybeans and soy products have all helped Iowa’s economy.
On Monday, Iowa entered into a partnership of memorandum of cooperation with India. Northey admits that at the present time, India does not constitute a a major market for Iowa agricultural goods, but he believes with time, that will change, especially when you consider India’a growing 1.2 billion people population.
