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Senator Pat Roberts- Peru trade agreement approved by Senate
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-KS, Dec. 5 announced that the Senate passed the Peru Free Trade Agreement by a 77 to 18 vote. "I am pleased the Senate approved this bill important to our Kansas farmers and ranchers and our Kansas economy," Senator Roberts said. "I am hopeful that this is the beginning of more action on future trade agreements and eventually, trade promotion authority. This is a good start to a long delayed trade agenda. "In Kansas, as it is with the United States as a whole, international trade is important to our state economy. As the top wheat producer with almost half of all wheat produced exported, the importance of opening and expanding foreign markets is crucial to ensuring rural America's survival. However, the trade agreement with Peru reduces trade barriers beyond the farm gates." The Peru Free Trade Agreement provides duty free access to 90 percent of current agriculture exports to Peru. In 2006, almost 32 percent of Kansas's farm economy relied on agricultural exports. Kansas's farm cash receipts total $10 billion and agricultural exports amounted to $3.2 billion. In 2006, Kansas exported over $18 million to Peru with transportation equipment, machinery equipment, electronic and computer products, and processed food topping the list. The trade agreement levels the playing field by opening Peru's market to Kansas producers and exporters. Currently Peru already has duty-free access to our market under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, a separate trade preference program. The bill now goes to the President to be signed into law. Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Finance Committee and a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Date: 12/6/07
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