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Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) for his work in negotiating a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Chile.

"Sen. Grassley was personally involved when it came down to crunch time in the historic negotiations between Chile and the United States following two years of complex negotiations with more than 200 trade negotiators," said Bierman, a pork producer from Larrabee, Iowa. "When the Chileans stonewalled in the trade talks, Sen. Grassley pounded on them and made it clear that it was important to Iowa pork producers."

According to Bierman, the FTA with Chile will do away with longstanding trade barriers on exports as well as cutting tariffs and opening markets for U.S. pork and pork products. "With this agreement, which was obtained through Sen. Grassley's tireless efforts, we will soon have access to Chile, one of the world's fastest growing economies, with open trade, no tariffs and streamlined procedures on customs," he said.

Bierman also recognized the work of Ranking Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee Chairman Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). "Iowa pork producers are very appreciative of the tremendous outpouring of interest and bipartisan support they have received from Sen. Harkin in negotiating the agreement with Chile. "We're creating new markets, building international relationships and strengthening Iowa's economy," Bierman said. "We applaud Senators Grassley and Harkin for working to create more opportunities for their fellow Iowans."

Source: Iowa Pork Producers Association - 17th December 2002