U.S. Senator Richard Durbin opened up the business session of the Illinois Farm Bureau's annual meeting Monday and told Illinois farmers their position in favor of the North American Free Trade Agreement needs to be respected.



Durbin noted the competitiveness of Illinois farmers not only depends on new technology to grow crops, but markets across borders and overseas.



Durbin, who rode along with a central Illinois farmer during harvest a year ago, acknowledged farming is a lot different - and more expensive - compared to when he was first elected to the U.S. Senate two decades ago.