National Farmers Union wants those discussing the Trans-Pacific Partnership to ensure any multilateral trade agreement includes benefits for U.S. agriculture and promotes societal goals of healthy communities, feeding the poor, economic justice, human rights and a sound environment. NFU President Roger Johnson says the group supports fair trade that mutually benefits all of the nations involved and allows agriculture to compete on a level playing field. With Congress working on new farm policy this year – Johnson notes that under any trade agreement – the U.S. must be able to write a farm bill that provides family farmers and ranchers with an ample safety net. He says the World Trade Organization has denied the U.S. the right to protect farmers and ranchers time and again because of the structure of trade agreements. He says having the ability to write a farm bill that helps farmers in times of need – when prices collapse and disaster strikes – is critical for the survival of family farms and rural America.