Perdue announces USDA reorganization
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the creation of an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture among other structural rearrangements.
“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,” Perdue said in a news release. “Our people in American agriculture have shown they can grow it, and we’re here to sell it in markets all around the world.”
The position is part of the reorganization of USDA, which moves the Foreign Agricultural Service under the new undersecretary for trade. It was previously housed with the Farm Service Agency.
“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 in the release.
A new undersecretary will also be selected for the Farm Production and Conservation Mission area, which will focus on domestic agricultural issues.
“The men and women of American agriculture are hardy people, many of whom were born into the calling of feeding America and the world,” Perdue said in the release. “Their efforts are appreciated, and this adjustment to the USDA structure will help us help them in even better ways than before.”
Source: The Packer