S.D. Farmers Union President Says USMCA Does Nothing for South Dakota Family Farmers & Ranchers

The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) released earlier this week does not improve market conditions for South Dakota’s family famers and ranchers who are struggling, says S.D. Farmers Union President, Doug Sombke.

“South Dakota’s farmers and ranchers are no better off with the USMCA than they were before. Leaders had opportunities to make additions to this trade agreement which could really help, like reinstating Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), and it didn’t happen,” explains Sombke, a fourth-generation crop and cattle farmer who leads one of the state’s largest agriculture organizations.

Disappointed with Congressional leaders for missing yet another opportunity to improve the dire market conditions facing farmers and ranchers, Sombke says the agreement remains largely similar to its predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “Basically, politicians started the house on fire, now they want credit for putting it out, while it’s still burning here in South Dakota, for agriculture.”