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Roberts Looks Forward to Working with Ag Nominee Perdue
Kansas Ag Connection - 01/20/2017

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Thursday released the following statement regarding President-Elect Donald Trump's selection of former Governor George "Sonny" Perdue to be his nominee for Secretary of Agriculture:

"The most important quality for the Agriculture Secretary to possess is a solid understanding of the tough economic challenges farmers and ranchers face due to three years of low prices, declining land values, and difficult lending conditions. As we write a new Farm Bill, the Secretary must understand that we are operating in a new landscape. Everyone in farm country is having a hard time. We need a Secretary who can recall the 1980s and will do everything within their power to make sure we do not return to those conditions.

"The Secretary must understand all aspects of the job. A strong understanding of agriculture, rural development, natural resources, and nutrition programs is a must. In addition, the nominee must understand the effects of regulatory actions outside the Department of Agriculture and the importance of trade to our farmers and ranchers. We need an advocate for agriculture.

"I appreciated my conversation with Governor Perdue before his announcement and look forward to meeting with him again as the Committee completes a thorough confirmation process. Together, we must get to work addressing these immediate and future challenges."

Roberts serves as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Meanwhile, Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) said, "America's dairy farmers are looking forward to working with Secretary of Agriculture-designate Sonny Perdue, whose role as the chief advocate for farmers and rural America is absolutely crucial in the new Trump Administration, especially when milk prices have been in a prolonged slump.

Mulhern noted that former Gov. Perdue is well-qualified to run the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a result of his eight years of executive experience as Georgia's governor, and his career as a state legislator and small businessman. His educational training as a veterinarian also gives him unique insights into the important issues facing America's livestock producers in the areas of animal health, food safety and the environment.

"Dairy producers, like most other farmers and ranchers across America, have experienced significant economic challenges for more than a year. Starting right away in 2017, NMPF will seek to collaborate with Secretary Perdue on ways to strengthen the safety net for dairy farmers, relieve regulatory burdens and enhance opportunities to keep and grow markets abroad for our dairy exports," Mulhern said, adding, "In particular, we will continue to advise the Agriculture Department on efforts to improve the dairy Margin Protection Program to best benefit America's dairy producers. We will also continue our dialogue with USDA and others in the Trump Administration on the importance of enforcing previous trade agreements, as well as pursuing future well-negotiated trade agreements that bolster our ability to serve consumers in foreign markets.

We're excited to work with Gov. Perdue on these challenges and opportunities in the days ahead."


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