Washington State Agriculture Commends Senator Murray and Cantwell's Trade Promotion Authority Support

    RITZVILLE, WA, August 11, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Washington Agriculture groups are rallying the effort to show appreciation for Senator Patty Murray and Senator Maria Cantwell's recent vote of support for the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).

Michelle Hennings, WAWG Executive Director commented that, "All of agriculture is heavily dependent upon trade and their ability to compete in a global market. This is why so many Washington State agricultural groups have stepped up to say "thank you" to Senators Murray and Cantwell for their courage and decision to support the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). Their efforts will help provide multiple industries, including agriculture, a level playing field."

The passing of the Trade Promotion Authority benefits U.S. farmers by leveraging labor and environment protections and provides essential tools for negotiating market-opening free trade agreements; most notably, the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Larry Cochran, WAWG President stated "With 90% of Washington wheat being exported yearly, we need to give our US Trade Representatives the control they need to make tough decisions and allow our negotiating partners to be confident that the U.S. will stand by the agreement and not back-track via Congressional amendment."

The following agricultural associations and commissions united by signing a letter of support for Senators Murray and Cantwell for their courageous decision, despite their party critics, to support TPA and its underlying ability to eliminate impediments to international trade:

Hop Growers of Washington
Northwest Food Processors Association
USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council
U.S. Pea and Lentil Trade Association
Washington Association of Wheat Growers
Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Washington Cattlemen's Association
Washington Cattle Feeders Association
Washington Dry Pea and Lentil Commission
Washington Farm Bureau
Washington Friends Farms and Forests
Washington Grain Commission
Washington State Fruit Commission
Washington State Hay Growers Association
Washington State Potato Commission
Washington Wine Institute
Western Pea and Lentil Growers Association

About WAWG:
Education and outreach are the heart of WAWG activity, all of which is aimed at helping Washington wheat families. Since 1954, WAWG has been dedicated to the enrichment of the Washington wheat industry as a nonprofit trade association which depends on volunteers, membership dues and donations to carry out activities as representatives on the state and national levels.

For more information on this or other related issues, please contact Michelle Hennings, Executive Director of the Washington Association of Wheat Growers at, 509-659-0610, [email protected].

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