SYRACUSE – Several state-wide farm groups and organizations are raising awareness about the importance of open markets for New York farmers and is encouraging a quick end to President Trump’s trade war that is creating economic hardship on family farms across New York.
The New York Farm Bureau, along with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner, Richard Ball, and Farmers for Free Trade gathered at the New York State Fair on Thursday to discuss their concerns.
According to the group, a number of New York commodities – including dairy, soybeans, wine, maple and apples – face retaliatory tariffs in several countries including China, Canada, Mexico and in the European Union.
“We understand that trade agreements may need to be updated, but we have to be careful not to damage the relationships that we already have and depend on,” said New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher. “We are encouraging our leaders in Washington, to move quickly at getting the parties back to the negotiating table, much like we have seen this week with Mexico, and to move forward on improving trade relations with our partners.”
As a result, prices for those products have fallen, while equipment prices are rising due to steel and aluminum tariffs.
As a result, the group say farmers are concerned about losing long established markets as countries turn to other, cheaper sources for their food.
“The tariffs being imposed on our agricultural commodities are compounding an already difficult marketplace and putting New York’s farmers in a precarious situation. Once these markets are lost, we could find it extremely difficult to regain that footing. We have an opportunity here to collaborate with our partners and to call for new free trade agreements and thoughtful, long-term solutions,” said Ball.
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