Reps. Espinoza, Gleason, Bieda, Plakas, McDowell, Mayes, Alma Smith, Garfield, Donigan, Farrah, Moolenaar, Pavlov, Hansen, Ball, Angerer, Spade, Hopgood, Meisner, Waters, Byrum, Kathleen Law, Gonzales, Miller, Vagnozzi, Anderson, Clack, Accavitti, Whitmer, Gillard, Sheltrown, Adamini, Brown, Byrnes, Lemmons, Jr., Sak, Leland, Hunter, Tobocman, Polidori, Cushingberry, Nitz, Caul, Proos, Cheeks and Lemmons, III offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 156.

            A resolution to urge the President and the Congress of the United States to oppose any tariffs on the export of United States corn to Canada.

            Whereas, Field crops, including corn, are Michigan's largest agricultural segment. Corn production is ranked number 2 in Michigan's top 20 commodity crops, with total cash receipts for field corn totaling $458 million in 2004. Michigan exports about one-third of its agricultural commodities yearly. Canada is the largest importer of Michigan corn with millions of bushels crossing the border each year; and

            Whereas, A coalition of corn producers in Ontario, Manitoba, and Quebec has charged that United States subsidies allow for the sale of certain corn in Canada at lower prices than Canadian farmers can offer. Targeting feed corn and corn used in ethanol production, the Canadian International Trade Tribunal is investigating the subsidy allegations. The tribunal could impose a tariff of $1.00 to $2.00 per bushel on United States corn exported to Canada; and

            Whereas, Canada has a number of livestock, ethanol, and corn processing industries that rely on United States corn. As these industries are expanding, United States imports to Canada have been declining, from 140 million bushels in 2003 to 85 million bushels in 2004. A tariff will drastically hurt Michigan's corn industry, which relies on exports to Canada. Canadian industries will also suffer because Canada does not grow enough corn to satisfy its domestic demand; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the President and the Congress of the United States to oppose any tariffs on the export of United States corn to Canada; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.