SCOTT HOUCK: On behalf of the Nebraska Soybean Association and the 1,100 soybean producers who are members of the NSA, I would like you to thank you for providing us the opportunity to present our views on agricultural trade priorities for the next WTO negotiations.

My name is Scott Houck. I'm currently serving as President of the Nebraska Soybean Association. I'm a soybean and corn producer from Strang, Nebraska, which is in Fillmore County about 75 miles southwest of Lincoln. While Strang, Nebraska, may seem far removed from international trade, we are well aware of the implication of global trade on individual communities and producers. At a time when American agriculture is experiencing historically low prices, reduced government support, and technicalogical transformation, a negotiation of future international trade policy should be at the top of everyone's priority list.

Getting improved access to foreign markets is of critical importance to soybean farmers. Every other row of soybeans produced by U.S. growers is exported in the form of whole soybeans, soybean meal, or soybean oil. Soybeans and soy products are the nation's largest export commodity and exports reached the 9 billion mark in the 1998-99 marketing year.

My economic livelihood and that of all Nebraska and U.S. producers is linked to exports, market access around the globe and economic growth, particularly in the world's developing countries that account for more than four-fifths of the world population. History has shown that trade liberalization helps fuel worldwide economic growth.

Through the American Soybean Association and American Oilseed Coalition, oilseed growers and processors have been working since the last round of trade negotiation to advance a market opening initiative for trade in oilseed and oilseed products referred to as the level-playing-field initiative. This initiative proposes to eliminate all tariffs, exports subsidies, differential export taxes, and non-tariff barriers to trade in oilseeds and oilseed products. We believe that a level playing field will greatly benefit U.S. soybean growers by giving us access to foreign markets, eliminating unfair export practices and stimulating demand among consumers. We believe this initiative should be vigorously pursued by the United States in the next WTO go around.

I want to thank you for the opportunity to provide input as you prepare for the upcoming WTO negotiations. As a soybean producer, a crop which depends greatly on exports, it is extremely important to me the members of the Nebraska Soybean Association and all the soybean growers, that the United States work diligently to expand market opportunities for agriculture products.

The next few years might be the most critical period agriculture has faced and access to the global market will have a major impact on the future of my livelihood as well as the American economy.

Thank you.