U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent letters to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)’s Chief Executive Officer Juan Luciano, concerning the European Union’s new environmental mandate. This mandate prohibits the import of certain commodities, such as soybeans, if they do not meet specific EU “deforestation” standards. Senator Hawley urges Tai and Luciano to consider the impact on Missouri farmers.
The enforcement of this foreign law in the United States will compel farmers to undertake lengthy journeys and bear additional costs to market their products. ADM’s implementation of this regulation, through restrictions on the use of its facilities and grain elevators, will adversely affect Missouri farmers.
In his letter to USTR, Senator Hawley expressed, “This is fundamentally unfair: since the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) was enacted in 2023, American farmers had no opportunity to adjust their practices post-2020 in anticipation of this mandate. Consequently, numerous farmers will find themselves ineligible for the European market through no fault of their own.”
In his correspondence to ADM, Senator Hawley stated, “[ADM’s] decision will severely impact Missouri farmers. Those whose soybeans do not comply with European law will be compelled to seek alternative markets, incurring all associated costs and burdens.”
Read the full letter to USTR here.
Read the full letter to ADM here.
