(WASHINGTON, DC)–Congressman Gregory W. Meeks joined a majority in the House of Representatives to approve H.R. 1830 as amended, which provides for an eight month extension of the Andean Trade Preference Program.

The Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) provides duty-free treatment to certain exports from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The original Andean Trade Preferences Act passed in 1991 to provide legal commercial alternatives to the illicit drug trade. The extension of the ATPA will enable nearly two million workers in the Andean countries to continue working jobs in industries given preference under the original act that pay above-average wages, allowing for continued economic growth and prosperity.

Although the ATPA has had little overall impact on the U.S. economy, it has succeeded in opening new markets in the Andean countries for the U.S. textile industry. The National Council of Textiles Organizations (NCTO) supported extension of the program. The trade deficit between the U.S. and the Andean countries is also minimal. Most of the deficit that does exist has been created by the export of petroleum and minerals to the U.S.

“The Andean Trade Preference Program has been mutually beneficial to both the Andean Countries and the United States,” Congressman Meeks said. “By providing a legal alternative to drug trafficking we are creating much needed opportunity and isolating extremist groups that are hostile to the development of democracy in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.”

The extension legislation passed with an overwhelming 365 to 59 majority. The Senate is expected to take up the act shortly. If the Senate does not act quickly and the President fails to sign the extension into law, the existing Andean Trade Preference Program will expire on June 30, 2007.

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