ISSUE 1045 JOHANNS TO MAKE FAIR TRADE A PRIORITY, FAVORS VOLUNTARY COOL
Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns said he would seek to open foreign
markets to U.S. agricultural products if confirmed as USDA secretary.
His comments came during his confirmation hearing last Thursday
(January 5) where members of the Senate Agriculture Committee
expressed dissatisfaction with recent trade deals that seem to
invite foreign imports without opening export markets for U.S.
producers. Reopening Japan to U.S. beef products, importation of Canadian beef, and squarely addressing the mad cow disease problem ranked as top concerns among committee members, but some mentioned mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) as an issue that needed resolution. "The administration position is a voluntary approach," Johanns replied when pressed on his labeling views. "As secretary, I would support the administration position." Congress has delayed mandatory labeling implementation of fruits and vegetables from 2004 to 2006. A bill to make COOL voluntary failed to pass last year, but several lawmakers remain committed to establishing a voluntary program. Expressing frustration on the issue, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., cited efforts by processors and retailers to kill mandatory COOL in his remarks during the hearing.
The committee voted to approve Johanns' nomination as USDA Secretary,
virtually guaranteeing the full Senate will confirm him as the
nation's 28th secretary of agriculture.
ALSO IN THIS WEEK'S RAP-UP
BUSH NOMINATES ZOELLICK FOR DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE USDA CROP COVERAGE DEADLINE APPROACHING TOMATO COMMITTEE REJECTS UGLYRIPE FLORIDA AGENCY FOR WORKFORCE INNOVATION TO CONDUCT WAGE SURVEY FLORIDA AGRI-WOMEN SCHEDULES LEGISTLATIVE WEEKEND SPECIAL OFFER FOR FFVA MEMBERS TOMATO COMMITTEE PLANNING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES SEEKING FRESH PRODUCE SUPPLIERS
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