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HURON, S.D. -- While there are plenty of challenges ahead for
President-elect George W. Bush and his new agricultural secretary, Ann
Veneman, when it comes to problems facing independent farmers and ranchers
in South Dakota and throughout nation, there also are opportunities for
the administration to help define a new course of profitability for
producers as we enter the 21st century.
One of the challenges for Veneman is in the area of trade. She comes
into a position with a lot of experience as she was involved in
negotiating for NAFTA, the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement and the
Uruguay round of GATT negotiations.
Not only does Veneman have the task of finding new and innovative ways
to grow our ag foreign markets, but doing it in a way that supports not
only free trade, but fair trade with our customers. She and the Bush
administration also must finish the job of rewriting our nation's policies
so food and medicine never again is used as a weapon in foreign policy
matters and that all unilateral sanctions that the United States imposes
finally are lifted.
Biotech, farm bill
Veneman and the Bush administration also must deal with the issue of
biotechnology in food production and how that affects trade. Until that
issue of biotechnology is dealt with in reassuring the public when it
comes to safety and quality of bioengineered food, this nation may have a
hard time expanding its foreign markets.
Another daunting task ahead for Veneman and the Bush administration is
writing a new farm bill that provides an adequate safety net and doesn't
quite affect the nation's treasury as it has the past three years.
All these challenges have the opportunity to be turned into pluses for
American farmers and ranchers. What American agriculture can't afford is
to let these issues become partisan and divisive among lawmakers and
policy-makers. |