USMCA Will Be Major Victory for Louisiana Ag Producers

Baton Rouge, La. – Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said the House of Representatives passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is one step closer to securing a major victory for Louisiana farmers and ranchers. 

 “USMCA modernizes the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) by increasing market access and implementing fair trade for American farmers and ranchers.” He added, “Louisiana ag producers will see increased market access for rice, cotton and grain. Nationwide, we will see benefits to many other agricultural products including dairy and poultry.”

 In total, $12.7 billion in agriculture and non-agriculture exports from Louisiana went to Canada and Mexico in 2018. Canada and Mexico are also the top two largest importers of American food and agricultural products totaling more than $39.7 billion in 2018. These exports support more than 325,000 American jobs.

 The new deal must still go before the U.S. Senate. “I urge the Senate to quickly ratify this new trade agreement which is vital to the success of our farmers and ranchers,” said Strain. 

 Strain works closely with the federal government and agriculture leaders across the nation to develop and advocate public policy and programs that promote the agricultural industry.