U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue yesterday announced his proposal for the creation of an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Perdue made the announcement in Cincinnati, Ohio standing by barges filled with agricultural products along the banks of the Ohio River. Perdue also announced that the department’s Rural Development agencies would be elevated to report directly to the Secretary of Agriculture in recognition of the need to help promote rural prosperity.
“Food is a noble thing to trade. This nation has a great story to tell and we’ve got producers here that produce more than we can consume,” said Secretary Perdue. “And, that’s good, because I’m a grow-it-and-sell-it kind of guy. Our people in American agriculture have shown they can grow it, and we’re here to sell it in markets all around the world,” Perdue said.
“Agriculture trade is critical for the U.S. farm sector and the American economy as a whole. U.S. agricultural and food exports account for 20 percent of the value of production, and every dollar of these exports creates another $1.27 in business activity. Additionally, every $1 billion in U.S. agriculture exports supports approximately 8,000 American jobs across the entire American economy. As the global marketplace becomes even more competitive every day, the United States must position itself in the best way possible to retain its standing as a world leaders,” USDA said in a press release.
“Our plan to establish an undersecretary for trade fits right in line with my goal to be American agriculture’s unapologetic advocate and chief salesman around the world. By working side by side with our U.S. Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, the USDA undersecretary for trade will ensure that American producers are well equipped to sell their products and feed the world,” Perdue said.
The reorganization plan also proposes changing the title of the undersecretary for farm and foreign agricultural services to the undersecretary for farm production and conservation, and placing the Natural Resources Conservation Service, currently under the undersecretary for natural resources and environment, under the undersecretary for farm production and conservation. Then, the undersecretary for natural resources and environment then would be able to focus on the U.S. Forest Service, which would be the only division under that undersecretary.
USDA’s report detailing the reorganization has been transmitted to Congress. USDA siad there will be consultations with congressional committees regarding the proposed USDA reorganization.
You may click here to view the report on the USDA website . Members of the public may comment on the reorganization plan by visiting this page hosted by the White House.
