<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class="">Colorado Statesman<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class=""><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); letter-spacing: 0.05pt;" class=""><a href="http://www.coloradostatesman.com/%f0%9f%94%90-perrone-and-johnson-food-safety-local-agriculture-%20at-risk-if-congress-passes-trans-pacific-partnership/" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114);" class="">Pe<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">rr</span>on<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">e</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.75pt;" class=""> </span>an<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">d</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;" class=""> </span>Johnson<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">:</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;" class=""> </span>Foo<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">d</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;" class=""> </span>sa<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">f</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">t</span><span style="letter-spacing: -1.5pt;" class="">y</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">,</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">l</span>ocal <span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">agriculture</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">at</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">risk</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">if</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.65pt;" class=""> </span>C<span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">ongress</span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">passes </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;" class=""></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0pt;" class="">TPP</span></a></span></b><span style="font-size: 20pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0.05pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 6.5pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 6.5pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); letter-spacing: 0.05pt;" class="">b</span><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);" class="">y<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;" class=""> </span></span><b class=""><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); letter-spacing: 0.2pt;" class="">M</span></b><b class=""><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); letter-spacing: 0.1pt;" class="">a</span></b><b class=""><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); letter-spacing: 0.05pt;" class="">r</span></b><b class=""><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);" class="">c<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;" class="">Perron</span>e<span style="letter-spacing: -1.05pt;" class=""> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); letter-spacing: 0.05pt;" class="">an</span><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);" class="">d<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;" class=""> </span></span><b class=""><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); letter-spacing: 0.15pt;" class="">R</span></b><b class=""><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); letter-spacing: 0.1pt;" class="">og</span></b><b class=""><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); letter-spacing: 0.05pt;" class="">e</span></b><b class=""><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(136, 136, 136);" class="">r<span style="letter-spacing: -0.6pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;" class="">John</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;" class="">s</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1pt;" class="">o</span>n<span style="letter-spacing: -1pt;" class=""> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); letter-spacing: 0.05pt;" class="">o</span><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; color: rgb(34, 34, 34);" class="">n<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;" class="">Ap</span>ril<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;" class="">27</span>,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.45pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.05pt;" class="">201</span>6</span><span style="font-size: 8.5pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0.5pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 14pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 10.25pt 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 13.7pt;" class="">Do<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>care<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>about<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>quality<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>your<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>food<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>where<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>comes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>from?<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>If<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>do,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>you<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>should, it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;" class=""> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>time<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>concerned<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>about<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>Trans-Pacific<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;" class=""> </span>Partnership<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""></span>trade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>agreement.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0.65pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 13pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 13pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 26.95pt 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class="">The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>TPP,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>like<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>other<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>trade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>deals<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>before<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>it,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>being<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>sold<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>boon<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>American<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>agricultural industry.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>But<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>real<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>track<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>record<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>these<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>agreements<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>tells<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""></span>different<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>story.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>In<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>reality,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>the Pacific<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>trade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>pact<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>represents<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>major,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>ongoing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>threat<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>American<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>food<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>processing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>workers, family<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;" class=""> </span>farmers,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;" class=""> </span>ranchers,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;" class=""> </span>fisherman<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;" class=""></span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;" class=""> </span>consumers.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0.75pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 13pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 13pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 5.6pt 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class="">Nearly<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>every<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>trade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>deal<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>since<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>North<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>American<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>Free<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>Trade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>Agreement<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>(NAFTA)<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>has promised<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>stimulate<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>U.S.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>agricultural<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>industry.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>unfortunate<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>truth<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""></span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>these<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>agreements<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>is that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>they<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>flood<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>American<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>grocery<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>stores<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>cheap<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>low<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>standard<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>foreign<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>meat<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>imports.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>Not only<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>bad<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>for<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>our<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>families,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>puts<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>U.S.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""></span>farmers,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>ranchers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>workers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>significant disadvantage<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>as<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>they<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>struggle<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>compete<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>countries<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>who<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>pay<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>workers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>mere<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>pennies<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>per<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>hour.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0.8pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 13pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 13pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 14.25pt 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class="">The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>growth<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>live<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>cattle<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>meat<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>imports<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>brought<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>trade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>especially<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>dangerous<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.05pt;" class="">t</span>o<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>U.S. beef<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>sector.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>beef<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>market<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>more<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>fragile<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>than<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>others<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>because<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""></span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>biology<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>cow<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>demands 39<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>months<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>conception<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>slaughter.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>By<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>flooding<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>market<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>unexpected<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>imports,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>the historical<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>ebb<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>flow<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>cycle<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""></span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>disrupted,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>harming<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>both<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>U.S.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>ranchers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>who<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>raise<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>sell cattle<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>plants<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>who<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>process<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>beef.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>Just<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>since<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>NAFTA<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>passed,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>50<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>beef<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>processing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>plants<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>have closed,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""></span>costing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>our<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>country<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>thousands<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>high<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>paying<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>jobs<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>good<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>benefits<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>were<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>often located<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;" class=""> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;" class=""> </span>rural<span style="letter-spacing: -0.4pt;" class=""> </span>communities.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0.8pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 13pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 13pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 40.2pt 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class="">If<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>TPP<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>passes,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>we<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>forced<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>accept<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>even<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>more<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>live<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>cattle<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>foreign<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>beef imports.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>This<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>hinder<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>ability<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>ranchers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>rebuild<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>U.S.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""></span>cattle<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>herd,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>resulting<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>in continued<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>plant<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>closings<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>loss<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>even<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>more<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>good<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>jobs.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0.85pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 13pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 13pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 10.2pt 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 15.199999809265137px;" class="">In<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>addition<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>loss<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>jobs,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>U.S.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>consumers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>could<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>also<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>faced<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>with<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>major<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>loss<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>appetite. The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>TPP<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>would<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>increase<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>food<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>imports<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>countries<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>like<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""></span>Malaysia<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>who<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>have<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>notoriously<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>lax safety<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>standards.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>And<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>unfortunately,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>avoiding<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>food<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>imports<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>questionable<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>origin<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>may<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>not<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>be<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>so simple.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" class=""></span><div style="margin: 0in 11.6pt 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class="">A<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>prime<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>example<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>threat<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>happened<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>recently<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>when<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>World<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>Trade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>Organization<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>(WTO) ruled<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>U.S.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>must<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>forego<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>country-of-origin<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>labeling<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>(COOL)<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""></span>on<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>meat<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>or<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>pay<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>more<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>than<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>$1 billion<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>penalties<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>Canada<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>Mexico.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0.8pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 13pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 13pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0.3in 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class="">The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>WTO<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>ruling<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>claimed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>that<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>by<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>telling<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>U.S.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>consumers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>where<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>their<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>food<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>comes<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>so<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>that they<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>can<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>make<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>informed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>choices<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>about<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>what<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>they<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>eat,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>meat<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""></span>products<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>from<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>Canada<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>Mexico were<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;" class=""> </span>being<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;" class=""> </span>unfairly<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;" class=""> </span>discriminated<span style="letter-spacing: -0.35pt;" class=""> </span>against.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0.05pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 14pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 14pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 12.9pt 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 13.7pt;" class="">As<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>a<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>result<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>WTO<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>sanctions,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>Congress<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>repealed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>COOL,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>so<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>consumers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>no<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>longer<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>have<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>easy access<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>information<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>about<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>where<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>their<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>beef<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>or<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>pork<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>came<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>from.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0.65pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 13pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 13pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 14.3pt 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class="">The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>WTO’s<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>decision<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>perfectly<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>illustrates<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>how<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>global<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>trade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>agreements<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>like<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>TPP<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>can<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>quickly put<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>profits<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>global<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>corporations<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>above<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>protection<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""></span>consumers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>more<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>importantly, above<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>American<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>law.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>In<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>case,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>Congress<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>rolled<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>back<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>once-celebrated<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>law<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>avoid<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>fines, effectively<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>forcing<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>people<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""></span>buy<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>meat<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>unknown<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>origins<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>simply<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>enhance<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>profits<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>of foreign<span style="letter-spacing: -0.7pt;" class=""> </span>corporations.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0.8pt 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 13pt;" class=""><span style="font-size: 13pt;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 7.4pt 0.0001pt 5.5pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class="">It<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>is<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>inexplicable<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>how<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>any<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>elected<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>official,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>whether<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>Democrat<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>or<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>Republican,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>can<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>support<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>TPP when<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>so<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>clearly<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>puts<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>American<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>jobs<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>our<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>food<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>supply<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>at<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""></span>risk.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>With<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>these<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>facts<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>in<span style="letter-spacing: -0.1pt;" class=""> </span>mind,<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>we hope<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>every<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>member<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>Congress<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>will<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>oppose<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>this<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>dangerous<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>trade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>agreement.<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>The<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>American agricultural<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>industry<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>and<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""></span>millions<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>of<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>consumers<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>who<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>rely<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>upon<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>it<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>to<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>feed<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>their<span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;" class=""> </span>families deserve<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>better<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>than<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>the<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>TPP<span style="letter-spacing: -0.2pt;" class=""> </span>trade<span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;" class=""> </span>deal.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""> </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;" class=""> </span></div></body></html>