WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Corn Growers Assoc. and the U.S. Grains Council on Nov. 6 pledged their support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, a day after the full text was released by the White House.

"We are pleased that the U.S. is on the path toward approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement," said NCGA President Chip Bowling, who is a farmer from Newburg, Md.

"This agreement will give America’s farmers and ranchers greater access to the Asia-Pacific region, bringing more American grains, meat, and dairy to the rest of the world. That’s why NCGA members will be going to Capitol Hill and asking Congress to vote in favor of the TPP agreement."

The Asia-Pacific region represents 40 percent of the world’s economy and is one of the fastest-growing areas of the world.

"The Trans-Pacific Partnership will have significant benefits for exports of corn in all forms," said Alan Tiemann, chairman of the U.S. Grains Council and a farmer from Seward, Nebraska. "Over the coming decades, this will help our members expand their overseas sales and grow their businesses. We look forward to working with our grain industry partners to tell the story of trade successes in our industry and how TPP will take those wins to the next level."

Both NCGA and USGC will spend the coming weeks analyzing the full text of the agreement to understand its impact on grain farmers.

"We expect the agreement will provide tariff relief, ease non-tariff barriers, improve trade facilitation and prompt systemic shifts in the ag marketplaces of TPP countries that will ultimately generate new demand for U.S. coarse grains and their co-products. In the weeks ahead, we will continue to analyze the details of the agreement along with our overseas offices," Tiemann said.

"We are optimistic that the TPP agreement will increase U.S. agricultural exports, which not only increases farm incomes, but also generates economic development in rural communities," said Bowling. "We look forward to working with our partners in the livestock community and throughout agriculture to break down trade barriers and promote a level global playing field for American farmers and ranchers."