When the secretary of agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency administrator took the same stage for the first time together at Commodity Classic in Houston, it set the tone of a new era of cooperation between the two agencies.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced he is establishing an office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. He told the record number of farmers attending the conference that the new office will “expand engagement opportunities beyond any that we’ve done so far and to ensure that your voices are heard, and your ideas are understood.” The office will provide easier access for farmers to communicate with EPA and let their voices be heard.
He said this “important step” will help solidify EPA’s relations with the agriculture sector and will “ensure agriculture and rural stakeholders have continued capital at EPA for many years to come.”
Regan said he already works together with Vilsack to better “understand and address the unique needs and our nation’s agriculture and rural communities.” The two agencies are engaged in conversations now on controversial issues including the Endangered Species Act.
The cross purposes of the agencies at times was highlighted when the topic of the untimely withdrawal of dicamba this season came up at the press conference following the general session. Regan said his agency “stopped the bleeding” for farmers by delaying the order, giving some flexibility for dealers and farmers who already have products in play this season.
As to what will happen next with dicamba, he said, “We have to let the process play out.”
Vilsack acknowledged farmers are facing weather challenges, lower prices and higher inputs and outlined some actions being taken to address them. Continued investments in fertilizer production in the U.S. are aimed at helping to lower input costs. And infrastructure improvements on roads, bridges locks and dams are progressing to keep the U.S. competitive with South American farmers to “retain our competitive advantage,” he said.
The leaders of corn, soybeans, sorghum, wheat and ag machinery associations all set safety nets in the farm bill and trade as priorities during their panel discussion before the officials took the stage.
Vilsack announced that a trilateral meeting with the minister of agriculture for Canada and the secretary of agriculture for Mexico will be held “later this month, likely in Colorado.” The focus will include biotechnology and GMO products in Mexico, especially corn and reducing trade barriers in Canada, he said.
At the same time, efforts continue to keep China as a strong trading partner and to develop more markets in Southeast Asia, Central America, South America and Africa among other locations.
“It’s important we diversify our markets,” Vilsack added.