MS. REAVIS: American Agriwomen is a national organization comprised of 50,000 member of affiliate and commodity organizations across the nation. We believe that farmers and producers should be represented in the decision-making process whenever tariffs, embargoes, and trade negotiations are involved. We do not believe that food should be used as a political football. Thus a thank you to USDA and USTR for this listening session on agriculture before this next round of trade talks.

Our most important message to this group today is that U.S. farmers and ranchers must be able to utilize biotechnology and genetically-modified organism products, or GMO's, in all avenues of global trade, without the unscientific application of unfair trade barriers to future exports. The technology of genetically-modified organisms is touching agriculture across our nation and globally, and provides a shrinking number of farmers with the tools to produce a safe and abundant food supply for the world.

We believe in the pursuit of biotechnological applications that promise to save lives or improve the quality of life, while avoiding applications that do not respect human rights or that carry risks that outweigh the potential benefits.

Another priority would be the strict implementation of international trading rules to prevent unfair trade practices by competing countries and to require full compliance with existing trade agreements. American Agriwomen not only upholds careful monitoring of existing trade agreements and international treaties, but also the activities of the United Nations to ensure equitable treatment of U.S. ag interests.

In conclusion, we urge USDA and USTR to include the issue of utilization of sientifically valid biotechnological methodology nd resulting GMO's as a strong component in the upcoming Seattle round of WTO negotiations. And two, not just free trade but fair trade.

Once again, on behalf of American Agriwomen, I want to thank you for coming to Austin, Texas and giving us this opportunity to comment on this important issue. Thank you.

MR. GALVIN: Thank you. I'd like to say on the whole GMO issue and the continuing problems that we're having in Europe, it seems to me that one part of the debate that is missing is just really the lack of direct debate between our producers and European producers. I think a lot of what has occurred thus far has been the -- you know, the companies that make these products, they've been trying to gain access into Europe, and, of course, we've been talking about the issue government to government, but I really haven't seen much direct discussion between producers in the U.S. and in Europe. And it may be that we should look for opportunities to encourage more people such as yourself to talk to their counterparts in Europe so that, you know, hopefully we can come to a better understanding as to what the issues are. And, you know, you can tell them probably better than we could from a personal perspective why you want to use the technology here and perhaps why you think it's safe and that sort of thing.

MR. REAVIS: In June in D.C., we did have a symposium on GMO's. And one of the speakers was Tasos Haniosis (sp) –

MR. GALVIN: Yes. Very good.

MR. REAVIS: Okay. And he presented a lot of valid suggestions for us. And we had a good one there.

MR. GALVIN: Okay. Glad to hear that.

MS. COMBS: I also speculate you're more credible sometimes.

MR. REAVIS: Well, hope so. Thank you.

MS. COMBS: I'd just like to say how much we here in Texas appreciate you-all coming from Washington. It's a little hot here. Sorry it couldn't be a little bit cooler. But the whole issue is so very, very important, and we really urge all of you to, as I know you will, take these comments to heart. There were a lot of specific issues raised as well as a lot of general issues, but all of us are very, very interested in agriculture thriving, not just surviving. And trade is a huge component in that flourishing that we would like to see.

MR. GALVIN: And again, Susan, thank you for organizing all of this. We really do appreciate it. It has been very beneficial, I know to me, to come out here today.

You know, I really think at the end of the day or at the end of the whole process we really have to ask ourselves, is trade good for U.S. agriculture or is it bad, you know? And I think we can, in general, make the case now that we're still exporting a lot more than we're importing. And if we were to lose the markets we currently have, then boy, we think agriculture is in trouble today, it would really be in trouble if we were to lose the export markets that we currently have.

But I realize that that is not, you know, good enough for people that are currently facing 2.50 wheat and $2 corn and the whole bit. And that's why, you know, we hear your message loud and clear that we've got to work much, much harder to make sure that we do increase market access for U.S. products and do provide a fair opportunity for our producers. Because our producers can compete, I think, if they are given that opportunity.

So again, thank you.

MS. BOMER-LAURITSON: Thank you. I wanted to thank all of you. I know Texas is a big state; Louisiana is far away and a lot of you have made a major effort to come here today. And I think that shows your commitment, as well, to work with us on policies and objectives that will benefit you.

So I want to thank each and every one of you who spoke, as well as those who sat in the audience and listened for participating and joining with us and providing us guidance.

MR. ACETO: I'd just like to second that as well and to say that, you know, in my building in the State Department, part of my job is always educating other people about agriculture, because it's not something we deal with on a daily basis. And coming today and listening to what everyone said today just reaffirms the feeling I've had is that people -- I don't think that people outside of agriculture realize the complexity and sophistication of the sector. And I've been very impressed. I think by in large, people know what the issues are, they know what's coming up in these trade negotiations. And I think it's been good to hear a lot of our feelings on what we should be doing confirmed by what you've told us today.

So thanks very much.

(SESSION CLOSED.)