More than 6,000 farmers and three major groups are asking Congress to pass the Trans Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement. The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau and National Association of Manufacturers want Congressional leaders to bring the pact up for a vote and approve it. South Dakota Corn Grower’s President Keith Alverson says passing TPP could give a great boost to an ailing farm economy.
South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal says passing the TPP gives the U.S. greater market access to Pacific Rim countries, which will lead to a huge economic boost.
Alverson says to move the trade agreement the Senate Majority Leader must first be convinced to bring the measure up for a vote.
The chances for TPP passage this year are slim. Even with the Obama administration backing it, Vice President Joe Biden has said there’s less than an even chance it’ll be brought up or passed.
