WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Sorghum Producers on March 1 announced their support for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Members representing the four organizations will urge members of Congress to ratify the USMCA this year while also urging the administration to keep the current North American Free Trade Agreement intact until the new agreement is ratified.

“Mexico and Canada are the U.S. corn industry’s largest, most reliable corn market; Mexico is corn’s No. 1 buyer, and Canada is one of our largest ethanol importers,” said Lynn Chrisp, president of the NCGA. “We cannot afford to risk losing this market. USMCA is NCGA’s top legislative priority for 2019, and we will be working closely with the administration and members of Congress to get it ratified.”

Davie Stephens, ASA president and a soybean grower from Clinton, Ky., said, “Passage of USMCA would boost both national and rural economies, and for soybeans, it would assure us tariff-free access to two strong markets, including Mexico, which is our No. 2 market for whole beans. Under NAFTA, soybean exports to Mexico quadrupled and to Canada doubled. We would like to continue that positive trade momentum with our neighbors.”

Jimmie Muscik, NAWG president and a wheat farmer from Sentinel, Okla., said, “USMCA includes important provisions for wheat farmers, including tariff-free access to imported U.S. wheat for our longtime flour milling customers in Mexico. Further, the agreement makes important progress toward fixing the grading issue U.S. farmers face when exporting their wheat to Canada.”

Dan Atkisson, a sorghum farmer from Stockton, Kas., called the USMCA agreement with Mexico and Canada “a win for American producers.”

“Having an agreement in place will safeguard the traditional second-largest importer of U.S. sorghum,” Atkisson said. “We look forward to expanded market opportunities with Mexico, and urge Congress to pass the measure as soon as possible.”

Leaders of the organizations announced their support during the March 1 general session of Commodity Classic.