More than 50 US farm groups and food companies have come together to urge Congress to approve the Central America Free Trade Agreement, or Cafta. Groups such as the American Meat Institute, Grocery Manufacturers of America and the National Corn Growers Association, along with companies like Cargill Inc. and Altria Inc., signed a letter sent to every member of Congress promoting the US trade agreement with Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. "Currently, over 99% of food and agricultural products from these countries already receive duty free treatment in the United States, while US farm exports face significant barriers in these markets," the groups and companies wrote. "Without implementation of (Cafta) US agriculture will continue to be prejudiced by this non-reciprocal trade, and will be forced to continue to compete for those markets against third countries that currently maintain a competitive advantage." US cotton, textile and sugar-producing groups, which still oppose the trade agreement, did not sign the letter. (Dow Jones Newswires; News provided by COMTEX)