Source: Michael Fielding, MEATINGPLACE, 6/12/15


Although the U.S. House narrowly passed the Trade Promotion Authority bill 219-211 this afternoon, an essential precursor to its implementation was soundly defeated.

The TPA bill would give Congress the power to vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership but deny legislators the opportunity to amend it.

The vote followed a House defeat (302-126) of the White House-backed Trade Adjustment Assistance program, which would provide training and other assistance to American workers whose jobs are displaced by international trade. The defeat of the assistance program makes for an uncertain future of the TPA.

Republicans motioned to reconsider the vote on TAA, which may occur early next week.

Industry groups still hopeful
"NPPC is pleased that the House passed TPA, but the lower chamber now needs to approve TAA before the trade package can be sent to the president for his signature. We expect the House to take up and approve TAA soon," the National Pork Producers Council said in a statement sent to Meatingplace.

“Passage of TPA will send a strong signal to the other countries’ negotiators that the U.S. Congress is serious and committed to achieving a new world standard for international trade agreements,” added National Chicken Council President Mike Brown.
TPA clarifies trade agreement objectives and priorities and sets consultation and notification requirements that the president follows during negotiations. Supporters say it is essential to finalizing critical free trade agreements, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

In 2014, agricultural exports totaled more than $150 billion, and for many products, foreign markets represent half or more of total sales.

“At one time, Russia and China were the United States’ two largest poultry export markets, but these two markets have been severely disrupted with trade curtailed from previous levels. It is now more important than ever to expand poultry sales to other world markets,” Brown added. “We are the most efficient poultry producing country in the world and the potential benefits from free and fair trade for U.S. poultry producers are very substantial.”

With almost one of five pounds of chicken being exported, a robust and expanding overseas market is critically important to the economic health and well-being of poultry producers. Chicken exports consist largely of leg quarters and other back-of-bird parts. Unlike North American consumers who overwhelmingly prefer white breast meat, global consumers prefer dark meat. As a result, exports are necessary to achieve a better balance of supply and demand for all parts of the chicken, according to NCC

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“Without TPA, our trading partners won’t take us seriously and the U.S. risks critical trade agreements that hold enormous potential just for companies that export, and for our economy as a whole,” North American Meat Institute President and CEO Barry Carpenter added.

TPA gives authority to the president of the United States to negotiate international trade agreements that Congress can approve or disapprove but cannot amend or filibuster. Once trade negotiators finalize a deal, Congress gets to review it and vote. Congress has granted TPA to every president since 1974, with the most recent law being approved in August 2002 and expiring June 30, 2007.

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