Several Hundred Minnesota and North Dakota Union Members, Farmers and Supporters Turn Out to Thank Government Representatives for Supporting Local Economies by Opposing CAFTA; Attendees Urge U.S. House of Representatives to Reject CAFTA

Business Wire, July 12, 2005

FARGO, N.D. -- Several hundred union members, farmers and supporters gathered today in Moorhead, Minn. to publicly thank Minnesota and North Dakota Congressional representatives, state officials and community members who have shown support for local communities by speaking out against the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA).

Recently, a bill to implement CAFTA narrowly passed the U.S. Senate in the tightest trade vote in recent history. Rally attendees urged the U.S. House of Representatives to vote "no" on CAFTA.

"Today, we want our representatives to see the faces of CAFTA. All around you are the faces of those who will be personally affected if CAFTA is approved by the House. We represent farmers, union members, businesspeople, and the larger community that is threatened," said local farmer David Kragnes. "Our representatives must know that when they cast their votes, it is forever. Those who vote yes will be creating a permanent problem, and no short-term fix is acceptable for a permanent problem."

The combined Minnesota/North Dakota sugar industry - the largest producer of sugarbeets in the United States - contributes more than $3 billion and more than 46,000 farm and related jobs to the states' economies. CAFTA could have a devastating effect on the industry, resulting in at least $180 million in lost income for farmers.

"We are grateful for the support of so many legislators, leaders and community members who are helping to safeguard our family farms and livelihoods by opposing CAFTA," Kragnes said. "They understand CAFTA's devastating implications not just for farmers, but for the people of so many rural communities that depend on a strong agriculture industry."

"Today we want to be loud and clear that no deal was brokered that addresses our concerns with CAFTA," said local farmer Paul Rutherford. "The Administration's proposal to 'fix sugar' is unsustainable. It will not protect our jobs or our rural economies because CAFTA is a permanent trade agreement, and the administration has not offered a long-term comprehensive solution."

Union members spoke about the thousands of factory and related jobs that are threatened by CAFTA. "Thousands of factory workers will also be affected by this unfair trade agreement. CAFTA's damage will extend far beyond local beet fields," said Steve Hunter, Minnesota AFL-CIO. "Many empty promises are being made about CAFTA, but we heard the same empty promises about trade before with NAFTA. All NAFTA has left us is a mounting $600 billion trade deficit. When will our government say 'Enough is enough'?"

Attendees signed large thank-you cards for local government officials who have spoken against CAFTA and in support of local communities. The cards will be sent to the officials this week. Following the rally union members and supporters boarded buses to join a union rally in St. Cloud, Minn.