FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, July 22, 2005 Contact: Rep. George Cushingberry Jr.Phone: (517) 373-2276
LANSING - State Rep. George Cushingberry (D-Detroit) today announced his support for a resolution calling on Congress and President George Bush to oppose the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
Congress is currently debating whether to approve CAFTA. Signed by the United States, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, CAFTA would harm Michigan farmers and workers. The agreement also fails to address major issues that distort fair trade, like unequal labor and environmental standards.
"This trade agreement favors other countries while Michigan farmers and workers will pay the ultimate price," Rep. Cushingberry said. "We have to develop trade that benefits people on both sides of the border. CAFTA weakens environmental protections but this we need to strengthen them."
In calling on Congress to oppose CAFTA, the resolution cites the opposition of farmers, industry and environmental groups and labor unions to the trade agreement and the fact that it will erode jobs and undermine family farming in the United States.
"No one can compare to American farmers when they are allowed to compete on an even playing field," Cushingberry said. "American farms produce the highest-quality products on the market. We must reject policies that weaken international standards for workers, public health and the environment. We can't support policies that benefit our foreign competition but is detrimental to our farmers and workers. I encourage Congress to say 'No' to CAFTA."