USMCA Is a Win for PA-13 Farmers

Congressman John Joyce (PA-13), joined by Pennsylvania agriculture leaders, have called for Congress to pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which would level the playing field for American farms and businesses competing at a global level in the 21st century.

"With the potential to create jobs, promote economic growth, and help Americans succeed, the USMCA is a clear win for Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District and the nation." said Congressman Joyce. "By securing greater market access for dairy and poultry exports, the USMCA will directly benefit the many hardworking farmers in southcentral Pennsylvania. It's time for Congress to take a vote on this commonsense deal and deliver on our promises to the American people."

Home to 20 percent of Pennsylvania's dairy farms and more than a quarter of the state's milk cows, Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District would directly benefit from this re-negotiated trade deal. Agriculture leaders, including Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President Rick Ebert, are calling on Congress to pass the USMCA and deliver results for our region's hardworking farmers.

"Pennsylvania farmers strongly support passage of the USMCA, which contains improvements for dairy farmers and poultry producers on top of the strong provisions already included in the old NAFTA agreement," said PFB President Rick Ebert. "Since Canada and Mexico are Pennsylvania's top trading partners for agricultural goods, we believe a new trade agreement will financially benefit farm families across the state."

The USMCA also has widespread support from the farmers of Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District:

"Trade is absolutely critical for dairy farms like ours, and we need Congress to approve USMCA as soon as possible," said John Hess, a fourth-generation family dairy farmer from Gettysburg, PA. "This commonsense trade agreement is a win for American agriculture, including dairy farmers who will see the elimination of Canada's unfair milk pricing system and maintain market access into Mexico, a top dairy export destination. I appreciate Congressman Joyce for his leadership and advocacy in support of USMCA passage."

• John Hess, Land O'Lakes, Inc. Dairy Member-Owner

"Plainville Farms is proud to employ 650 people in Adams County and contract with 95 local farmers, totaling over $38 million in wages and grower pay," said Mickey Baugher."Strong trade relationships with Mexico and Canada mean a more robust market for turkey products produced in Pennsylvania. Mexico is the turkey industry's largest export partner and the USMCA preserves that important relationship while creating the potential for new export opportunities to Canada. I thank Congressman Joyce for his support of the USMCA and Pennsylvanians employed by the turkey industry."

• Mickey Baugher, President of Plainville Farms, LLC

If ratified, the USMCA would add 176,000 new jobs to the U.S. economy and at minimum $2 billion annually to agriculture and food exports. For months, Congressman Joyce has called for Congress to pass this historic trade deal. Read more about these efforts in his July op-ed in the Huntingdon Daily News.