WASHINGTON -- Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, held a meeting this morning in his office with top officials from the White House, the Department of State, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and the Department of Commerce to discuss the need to move forward with a case at the World Trade Organization against the European Union's biotech moratorium.

"I called this meeting because I was tired of getting an inadequate response from Administration officials," Grassley said. "They say they support bringing a case, but their actions don't match their words. I finally decided that the only way to get a clear answer was to bring Administration officials to my office, so I did. I also wanted to make sure they understood how important this is for the future of American agriculture.

"I've been beating this drum a long time, and my message is clear. Iowa's farmers are being hurt by the European Union's biotech policies, and this situation is unacceptable. As long as the United States refuses to enforce its WTO rights, American farmers will continue to suffer."

The Administration officials explained that various government agencies continue to look into bringing a WTO case. Grassley sought a prompt answer on the Administration's decision. Upon Grassley's suggestion, the group agreed to meet with him again in two weeks to provide a progress report as to when the Administration will move forward.

Grassley requested today's meeting after sending a strongly worded April 28 letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, expressing frustration with the lack of a WTO case against the E.U.'s agricultural biotechnology product moratorium. In his letter, Grassley said the end of the war with Iraq removes one of the Administration's stated reasons for delaying a case.

In today's meeting, Grassley urged the Administration to show strong support for the nation's agricultural producers. Key steps include bringing the WTO case on agricultural biotechnology products and making sure that any new free trade agreements consider agricultural interests, Grassley said. Congressional support of free trade agreements depends heavily on whether agriculture is fully considered, Grassley said.

The text of Grassley's April 28 letter

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