Perdue says he will advocate for agriculture at USDA

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget was a recurring topic at the confirmation hearing for Georgia Gov. George Ervin “Sonny” Perdue III, whom Trump has tapped as Secretary of Agriculture.

Screenshot from www.c-span.org
Screenshot from www.c-span.org

President Donald Trump’s proposed budget was a recurring topic at the confirmation hearing for Georgia Gov. George Ervin “Sonny” Perdue III, whom Trump has tapped as Secretary of Agriculture.

The president’s proposed budget includes a $4.7 billion reduction to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 2018 budget.

“Last week’s budget proposal has made it clear that rural America is not a priority for this administration,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan. “We need a Secretary of Agriculture to advocate for the services that USDA provides.”

Stabenow is ranking member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, before which Perdue testified today.

She highlighted the areas that have been “zeroed out or have received significant cuts” in the administration’s proposed budget, such as rural water and health care services and food aid for children and seniors.

“The cuts we’re talking about here will be really devastating for farmers and small towns,” Stabenow said.

Perdue told the committee he would be a “strong and tenacious” advocate for the agriculture industry by pushing international trade, working with and counseling the administration on issues important to the agriculture industry, improving the nations’ crop insurance program, and boosting research and technology in agriculture, among other things.

“I look forward to fighting for the producers of America,” Perdue said.

Advocate for trade

Perdue said he looks forward to working with the Trump administration on boosting agriculture trade around the world.

“I hope we can work very closely with (the administration) to put agriculture first in their repertoire of things to trade,” Perdue said. “Food is a noble thing to trade.”

He pointed to the fact that the U.S. produces more food than it needs, therefore creating the need to export to other countries – something he plans to be involved in firsthand.

“We have producers here who can produce more than we need to consume. That’s not true everywhere,” he said. “I plan to be on-site as USDA’s chief salesman around the world.”

Dealing with regulatory burdens

Committee member Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, addressed the regulatory burdens facing the agriculture industry and asked Perdue how he would help unload that burden.

“The (Environmental Protection Agency) almost seems to have an agenda against those who are in the agriculture community,” Ernst said.

To address that, Perdue said, he would have a direct and transparent approach to working with other agencies of government to “let these other agencies know what the cost-benefit outcome would be for ag producers.”

“In all agencies, we develop silos that are unfortunate,” Perdue said. “My goal is to have an ongoing communications team identified with each of these agencies … to identify the unintended consequences of regulation.”

He said he has already spoken with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt about issues concerning agriculture.

“Our producers want a fair shake in being able to produce without the harmful regulations that inhibit their ability to perform,” he said.

When asked about the Renewable Fuel Standard, Perdue said he is committed to working with the president to support it.

Crop insurance and the Farm Bill

Perdue referenced the 2014 Farm Bill several times during the hearing, noting that it improved upon various areas, including crop insurance.

“It is vital to producers who need that safety net in the risk of production and pricing. I hope we can continue that and enhance that,” he said.

He also agreed with several senators that dairy farmers need relief in the next Farm Bill, namely to address the farm worker shortage and provide reliable risk management tools.

Fighting avian influenza

Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, whose state has been affected by past avian influenza outbreaks, asked Perdue if, as Secretary of Agriculture, he would be prepared to respond immediately to prevent the spread of avian influenza.

“The poultry production of this country is amazing,” Perdue said. “We cannot afford an industry such as our poultry industry to be affected by a very severe high-path avian influenza.”

“I’m very proud of the work that I’ve seen that the USDA has done in Tennessee and Alabama,” he said. “They learned a lot from the 2015 outbreak.”

The committee has not yet scheduled a vote, but Perdue is widely expected to be confirmed by the full Senate.

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