Montana Grain Growers Association Applauds Trade Deal

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted to give President Obama Trade Promotion Authority to work on the controversial trans-pacific partnership trade deal. Lola Raska, executive Vice President of The Montana Grain Growers Association, says the Senate’s decision was good for Montana agriculture.

"We really needed TPA in order to finalize those trade agreements and get them moving forward," Raska said. "Trade is a very important issue to Montana grain producers. We export up to 80% of the wheat that we grow in state. We need a fair and level playing field in order to compete on the world stage with our foreign customers."

There has been much talk of government secrecy surrounding the trade deal. When asked how she knows the deal would be good for Montana grain growers, Raska says she has an inside connection on the trade negotiations.

"We have a lot of confidence in our Chief [Agriculture] negotiator with the USDR, Darcy Vetter," Raska said. "She is a long time friend to Montana agriculture. We worked very closely with her when she was in staff representative office. We have met with her through out and she has kept us confidentially informed on some of the details."

Raska says she also spoke at length with Senator Steve Daines, who, she says, has read the whole bill and with Congressman Ryan Zinke. However, Raska says that the Montana Grain Growers Association was “not surprised, but disappointed” with Senator Jon Tester’s opposition to the trade deal.