A release from the Missouri Democratic Party:
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2016 Contact: Will Baskin-Gerwitz (573) 222-0210
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Senator Blunt has constructed an agricultural trade policy that has harmed Missouri farmers over and over again.
Agriculture is Missouri’s number one industry, and on a level playing field, Missouri’s farmers can compete with anyone in the world. However, Senator Blunt has a long history of opposing Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) legislation, a crucial tool that allows consumers to distinguish American-grown foods from cheap imports dumped on the market by foreign agribusinesses. He has repeatedly voted against COOL provisions for produce, meat, and all agricultural goods, and in 2015 voted to repeal the nation’s COOL law so Missouri families don’t know where their meat and produce comes from anymore. While farmers recognize its importance, Senator Blunt views COOL as unnecessary, saying last year that it “is way too complicated” and “it doesn’t really serve a purpose.”
Notably, Senator Blunt’s wife, Abby Blunt, has lobbied Congress since 2008 on COOL provisions as a lobbyist for Kraft Foods, which opposes COOL.
Despite claiming to be a leading supporter of free trade in the Senate, Senator Blunt has also fought against the opening of new markets where farmers have seen potential for growth. Missouri farmers have sought to sell their rice and other crops as widely as possible, most recently to Cuba. While Cuba is seen as a potential major new market for Missouri rice, Senator Blunt has opposed normalizing trade relations there. He’s broken with the state’s farming community in order to fall in line with his party, saying that Cuba “will never be a huge market” for Missouri agriculture products.
“Missouri farmers can compete with anyone in the world when given a fair chance, but Senator Blunt has repeatedly worked for unfair international trade rules that only allow well-connected special interests to succeed,” said Will Baskin-Gerwitz, Missouri Democratic Party spokesman. “Missouri farmers deserve a Senator who will support what they grow and who’ll stand up for them instead of the lobbyists who fund his campaign.” |
