Conner: Same song, final verse

Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner held a press conference discussing the veto by President Bush of the farm bill. I promised some audio, and here it is. Nothing really too surprising from the press conference; the Administration knows they have an uphill climb to sustain the video, and Conner objected again to the lack of reform and potentially much higher federal outlays if commodity prices swoon.



Reaction from the office of Sen. Tom Harkin:

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement in response to President Bush’s veto of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act today. Harkin is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and of the Senate-House conference committee on the new farm bill.
“Today, right now in America, farm families and rural communities are awaiting a new farm bill. Working families are struggling to put food on the table because of recession and rising food prices. Today in America farmers and ranchers lack the assistance they need to conserve resources and provide a cleaner environment. Production is increasing at such a rapid pace that our lands are eroding and the strain on the environment is increasing. And today in America energy costs are off the charts with drivers in some areas paying over $4.00 a gallon for gas and farmers around the country seeing their diesel costs increase substantially. The Food, Conservation and Energy Act – or more commonly, the farm bill – was aptly named to address each of these concerns.
“The bill continues, reforms and strengthens income protection for the benefit of farm families and the rural economy. The nutrition title strengthens food assistance. The energy provisions in the farm bill will help unleash the potential of agriculture and rural communities to supply energy to our nation. And the new bill will help farmers and ranchers with funds and technical assistance to conserve soil, improve water quality and boost wildlife on their land.
“With all of these critical investments and reforms in this bill that have won support from both parties, from every region of the country, and from rural and urban members of Congress alike, the president’s veto of this measure is an attempt to deny America these forward-looking initiatives at a time when the country needs them the most.”

Conner to discuss today's Presidential veto of the farm bill

From the USDA. I'll capture some audio of Conner's remarks:


Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner will hold a Press Conference at 1:30 p.m. EDT to discuss today's Presidential veto of the farm bill.

One week extension but what will the White House do?

In this afternoon's farm bill conference session Sen. Harkin asked Chuck Conner if the White House would support a one week extension, and Conner wasn't very encouraging. At 2 p.m., Conner said the farm bill hadn't shown enough progress to warrant an extension. Meanwhile, House and Senate leaders called the White House to come to the table and start actively engaging in the process of finding money for the farm bill.. The conference was adjourned in advance of a House vote and will reconvene tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.


Here is reaction to the White House balk from Sen. Harkin:
STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN TOM HARKIN (D-IA)

“It seems every time Congress advances this farm bill, the White House has to throw up another obstacle to the bill’s completion. It’s like we’ve pulled up in the combine for harvest, only to see a big boulder in the middle of the field setting us back.

“Congress needs the White House’s support if we are ever going to get the President a bill he can sign. The conference committee cleared three titles of the bill yesterday and continues to make progress toward a good, strong bill. It’s unfortunate that the President is threatening to cut short the work that’s been done thus far.”

Farm bill conference today

Today's farm bill conference begins at 9:30 a.m. the Hart Senate Building, but don't expect final solutions about money today, just fine tuning of specific features of various titles within the farm bill. Yesterday, it was interesting to watch the USDA's Chuck Conner at the conference committee hearing. At various times, he was shaking his head no, smiling, or leaning over to whisper something to another agency official. Hopes may be dimming for a new farm bill in 2008, based on the fiscal disagreements and body language on display yesterday.

The throng at the gates and looking for Mr. Daschle

While United Fresh lobbyist Robert Guenther said tenuous progress is reported in farm bill negotiations, nothing is certain yet. Meanwhile, I read in some farm bill coverage that the process needs a "stopper" to get this thing to an end game, much like Tom Daschle, former Democratic Senator from South Dakota, did in 2002 farm bill negotiations. From Delta Farm Press:

Where’s Tom Daschle when you need him? The last time Congress wrote a farm bill, Daschle, or so the story goes, called agriculture committee leaders in at one point and told them to pass a farm bill. Period. End of story.
House and Senate conference committee members went back to work, compromised on some tough issues, voted out a conference report that was passed by both Houses and signed by President Bush on May 13, 2002.
By the time Daschle, the then-Senate majority leader, took action, House and Senate conferees had been meeting from January until April — longer than they’ve been negotiating the current bill. The conference committee for this farm bill has yet to meet.
That’s not the only difference. In 2002, the Bush administration played the role of observer, providing deputy undersecretaries to answer questions about how USDA mght implement provisions of the bill.
Then-Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman made general statements about administration policy on the farm bill but did travel around the country telling groups how the president would veto the farm bill if it (1) contained tax increases or (2) did not include reforms such as a lower adjusted gross income ceiling on payments.
Both Secretary Ed Schafer and Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner, have missed few opportunities to get out and claim the House and Senate farm bills raise taxes and “do not target support to producers who need it the most.”
In response, House and Senate agriculture leaders claim the bills are more about closing tax loopholes and requiring royalty payments on offshore oil wells. And they note they are paying for the farm bill as they go rather than simply increasing spending as the administration has done with the economic stimulus package.
The House and Senate conference committee could reconcile the two versions of the farm bill within a matter of days — once House leaders actually name the House members. Instead, committee leaders have spent most of the last three months trying to compromise with the White House.
Reps. Collin Peterson and Bob Goodlatte, the chairman and ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Sens. Tom Harkin and Saxby Chambliss, chairman and ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, reportedly have agreed on a spending figure of $10 billion over the baseline projected for the farm bill.
But that has caused other committee members such as Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Budget Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., to call the compromise “dead on arrival” because other spending priorities will not leave the $5.5 billion they need for their permanent disaster program.
For now, Congress is working on a new deadline of April 19 to replace or extend the current law. After that, the fall elections will begin to prove more distracting. If farmers are to have a new law in 2008, it’s time for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid or House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to step up and do a “Tom Daschle.”

TK: Farmers aren't the only ones upset at the process. This column Ditch this farm bill by Deroy Murdock, takes a more acidic view of the farm bill and the "family farm."

In short, Congress shakes down taxpayers (many in foreclosure) for $286 billion to subsidize farmers already in cornucopian bliss. Their record crop prices, in turn, fatten supermarket and restaurant tabs, which squeeze taxpayers' wallets yet again. Frightfully, these factors stir Third World hunger and chaos.

If this were Bourbon, France, citizens would be at Versailles' gates, justifiably screaming for justice.

Farm bill blink

It's a game of chicken, or rather corn, wheat, cotton, soybeans, food stamps, conservation programs and specialty crop priorities. But who will blink? Here is the latest from the Administration about where farm bill negotiations stand, followed by an earlier statement about a new offer from Sens. Harkin and Chambliss.

Statement by Secretary Ed Schafer and Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner Regarding the Senate's Farm Bill Proposal
February 15, 2008
The Senate's most recent farm bill proposal recommends increases in taxes and significantly grows the size and scope of government while failing to implement much needed reform in our current farm bill programs. We are disappointed that the Senate has not joined the House in proposing a package that seeks fiscal discipline and real reform while providing a true safety net.
The President has said time and time again that he will not support a bill that raises taxes and uses taxpayer dollars to increase the size of government, and tof hat is exactly what this proposal does.
We believe that, working together, the House, Senate and the Administration can move forward with a true reform minded farm bill that remains at around $6 billion over baseline. The Senate offer looks to increase spending by at least $16.5 billion.
Although we remain encouraged with the efforts of the House and the amount of dialogue put forward in this process, this Senate proposal is a step away from passing a farm bill.
We continue to encourage the House and Senate to work together to quickly agree on a farm bill that the President can sign. This proposal does not reach this goal


From Sens. Harkin and Chambliss:

Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), the Chairman and Ranking Member respectively of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry today issued the following statement after the Senate submitted a farm bill proposal to the House. The farm bill is currently being negotiated between the Senate and House. Harkin is chair of the conference committee.

“This afternoon, Senate farm bill negotiators submitted a spending proposal to the House that meets the needs of this farm bill without having to cut back on the critical investments made by the Senate-passed bill in renewable energy, conservation, nutrition, rural development and better diets and health for all Americans. Support for these investments was strong in the Senate, where our measure passed by one of the largest farm bill votes in history. Support for this effort was also strong in rural America, where spending on agriculture is a small part of the overall federal budget. “The Senate proposal provides an outline of spending that is $12.3 billion above baseline – spending that is not only critical for farmers and rural America, but also our nation as a whole. The goal now is to reach agreement with House negotiators and the White House so we can identify funding mechanisms to support these investments that the White House, Senate and House can agree upon. I remain optimistic that all negotiators will see the benefits of swift action and agreement so that we can bring the farm bill to fruition.”

Farm bill progress?

No insider ag lobbyist info to share here, since I've been restricted to email communications this week because of travel. I'm within a stone's throw of the Kremlin right now(figuratively speaking), staying at the grand Hotel Metropol in Moscow as I wind up some interview on fresh produce exports to Russia. But I note that the USDA has issued this statement Wednesday afternoon:

Statement by USDA Secretary Ed Schafer and Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner on Current Farm Bill Negotiations

February 13, 2008

The Administration appreciates the great work of Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Goodlatte in bringing us this far. The funding limits outlined by the House represent the real reform sought by the Administration. Mr. Peterson and Goodlatte rightfully took the President's concern seriously and the outline was developed in an effort to reach fiscal responsibility. While there is still hard negotiating ahead on a number of items, we are pleased with our progress on budget issues.

The Administration is working hard to identify roughly $6 billion over baseline to be used to fund this package in such a way as to meet Congress' pay-go rules. We will continue to work closely with the conference committee in order to identify such offsets. We are confident this can be done and we can move forward with a good farm bill.

With these reforms and with acceptable offsets for the $6 billion of additional spending, we believe this offer represents a package that is moving in a direction of a bill that the President would sign.

We urge the House and Senate to use this proposal as the framework for a conference agreement. Without action sometime soon, we risk not reaching a final agreement that would provide a long-term safety net for America's farmers and ranchers.



TK: It sounds as if the Administration is being asked to do some of the heavy lifting in terms of finding funding, since their original proposal was over baseline but did not identify where the offsets would come from.


From the office of Sen. Tom Harkin:

“Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Goodlatte have my thanks for working with their House colleagues to formulate and share their draft farm bill spending outline. This outline is provided as a basis for further collaborative work and negotiation, and that’s the spirit in which it should be received and judged here in the Senate, where we of course have our own perspectives.

“With the remaining time for enacting a new farm bill so short, it is critical that we now move ahead quickly to identify common ground, forge understandings and cooperatively build a joint, bipartisan framework for the new farm bill acceptable to both the Senate and House of Representatives.
“We cannot enact this critically important legislation for which farmers, rural America and our nation are waiting without the help of President Bush. While I commend USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner for all of his hard work and effort, the White House is still withholding the cooperation – particularly on obtaining funding – that we must have to complete a new farm bill. So I urge President Bush to lay aside veto threats and work with us so we can get this job done

H2A program changes

What will proposed H2A reforms accomplish? Here is a summary from Florida Citrus Mutual:

Applications - Eliminate the duplication of activities currently performed by the State WorkForce agencies (SWAs) and the Dept’s Employment and Training Admin (ETA). Employers would file their H-2A applications directly with DOL instead of filing simultaneously with both the SWA and DOL.

Housing inspections – Increase the amount of time states have to conduct required housing inspections in response to delays often caused by SWAs overwhelmed by employer requests for pre-certification housing inspections. This reform creates consistency between the housing inspection process under H-2A and the housing inspection process under the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act, which protects U.S. farm workers.

Wage Rate – Revise the methodology for determining the Adverse Effect Wage Rate to more accurately measure market-based wages by occupation

To view the entire proposed rule visit http://www.doleta.gov/pdf/DOL_H2A_NPRM_final_020508.pdf

Look for coverage in The Packer and in this space about changes to the H2A program.

Here is the AP story about the changes.

USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner Regarding H-2A Farm Worker Program Revisions said this in a statement today:

"The changes we are proposing today will go a long way towards ensuring that America's farmers will have a stable, legal workforce they can count on at harvest time. Because farmers are tied to the land and the natural cycles of growth and harvest, their need for labor is urgent and non-negotiable. This is particularly true of the fruit and vegetable growers who employ so many of our farm workers. A crop that rots in the field-for want of enough hands to pick it-can put a farmer out of business pretty fast.

Unfortunately, those farmers who do participate in the current H-2A program and meet all of its requirements still run the risk that because of bureaucratic delays beyond their control, they won't have a legal workforce in place when they need it. We estimate that our agricultural work force numbers about 1.2 million at its seasonal peak in July.

But last year, agricultural employers hired only about 75,000 farm workers through the H-2A program. We believe between 50 and 70 percent of the agricultural work force is in the country illegally. That translates into between 600,000 and 800,000 people. At the upper end of that range, the H-2A program is legalizing fewer than 10 percent of eligible workers. And that is simply not acceptable.

The changes will streamline and simplify the program. Yet they will also provide new protections to U.S. workers by assuring them wider opportunities to learn about farm labor jobs that are available in their area.

By utilizing the Department of Labor's Occupations Employment Survey data we will get more graduated and finely tuned wage data. The data will be linked to specific job categories and descriptions and should allow us to bring H-2A wage rates much closer to actual prevailing wages.

I also believe farmers will welcome the new attestation approach to certifying their need for foreign workers. We are also requiring them to keep records on hand for five years to prove that they did in fact comply with all the requirements of the law. We are making them subject to audits to confirm that they have in fact been doing the right thing.

What we are offering them is an opportunity to get their hiring back inside the law-without compromising their business needs. And we are offering farm workers who are now illegal the chance to get inside the law as well and take advantage of the protections and certainty it allows. I believe both groups have a great deal to gain here and will seize this opportunity. The nation as a whole will benefit when they do."

Welcome aboard

One wonders if the newly minted Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer will greet the Feb. 7-8 meeting of the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. Schafer will have to get up to speed quickly, and farm lobbyists are more than willing to help. Here, American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman gave this greeting to Ed Schafer yesterday:

“As the opportunity arises, we will offer Secretary Schafer insights on the new farm bill from our farmer and rancher members who work on the land to provide food, fiber and fuel for our nation. We look forward to working with him and thank his predecessor, Chuck Conner, for his efforts as acting secretary.”



From the office of Sen. Tom Harkin:

“As a former North Dakota Governor, Ed Schafer has a background leading a state in which agriculture is critical. Agriculture is likewise a vital part of our national economy and thus the leadership of USDA must be forward-looking and energetic. So I congratulate him on his Senate confirmation today and I look forward to working with him in the weeks and months ahead. It is critical that USDA work with Congress to overcome the challenges in completing a new farm bill for the department to implement. Governor Schafer’s leadership can help make this new farm bill a reality."

What's going on

If any members of the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group want to participate in a trial run on the Google Talk feature (online chat embedded in the blog), shoot me an email and I will invite you. I anticipate this might be a new forum to conduct an interview with a member of The Packer's team and other industry leaders. (I thought one interesting subject out of the gate may be Pamela R of The Packer, as she is taking on media spokesperson duties for sister site Produce Guru). This may take time to figure out.

My email is tkarst@thepacker.com if you want me to send you an invite to check out the Google Talk feature. You do need to have a Google account to participate.

In other news, the nomination hearing of Agriculture Secretary designate Edward Schafer, former governor of North Dakota, was held today by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Sen. Tom Harkin, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said this in his opening remarks (provided by his office).

“Among your key responsibilities is faithfully carrying out the laws that Congress writes and the President signs. Currently, we face a big challenge in completing a new farm bill for you to implement. The Senate and the House of Representatives have each passed versions of a new farm bill. Both bills have significant improvements and reforms to benefit agriculture, rural communities and our nation as a whole. In our Senate bill we continue and improve a solid farm income protection system, and we make critical new investments to conserve our resources, promote rural energy initiatives, alleviate hunger and malnutrition, and boost the economy and quality of life in rural communities.

“Unfortunately, we do not yet have the support of the President for funding the critical, forward-looking investments crafted by the Agriculture Committees and approved by the House and the Senate. We have a good deal of hard work and negotiation with the White House ahead of us on the new farm bill. Yet I am hopeful that we can approach this challenge reasonably and cooperate to reach agreements. Governor Schafer, we look forward to working with you, and we are counting on your help in working out differences in order to enact a sound new farm for our nation.

TK: Harkin and other senators are sure to test the resolve of Schafer out the gate, as the tension of the Administration's veto threat of the farm bill is balanced by Schafer's natural instincts to be agreeable. Schafer is expected to be confirmed easily. Still, look for Chuck Conner to continue to be the point person and tough talker for the Administration on the farm bill.

That guy

Whatever happened to the nominee for Agriculture Secretary? As Acting Secretary Chuck Conner has been blitzing the country with the Administration message and taking fire from Senate Democrats, Edward Schafer has been laying low, apparently waiting for his nomination hearing in the Senate. He won't have to wait too much longer. From the office of Sen. Tom Harkin:

Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), the Chairman and Ranking Member respectively of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced a nomination hearing for former North Dakota Governor Edward Schafer. The hearing will take place on Thursday, January 24^th at 3:30 pm in Room 328A of the Russell Senate Office Building.
The Committee will examine the nomination of Governor Schafer to be the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Back from New Orleans

Flew back from New Orleans last night. Some more impressions from the 89th annual convention of the Farm Bureau:

* I asked Bob Stallman what he meant when he said that Farm Bureau "needed to hear" the message that Acting Secretary Chuck Conner delivered. He responded that Farm Bureau members needed to hear for themselves what the Administration's policy is (veto threat if bill contains budget gimmicks and tax increases), not that Conner's message will change Farm Bureau's position. In effect, Stallman said Congress and the Administration fund what they want to fund. The real gimmicks and games are going on between Republicans and Democrats, and what farmers want is a farm bill. This sets up a couple of very interesting months on Capitol Hill. President Bush's veto threat is credible, but it anguished Acting Secretary Chuck Conner to deliver it.

* A session on climate change and agriculture revealed that some farmers do not buy into the idea of global warming and climate change. What Farm Bureau wants, Stallman said, is to have any legislation and outcomes to do no harm to the farming community. California's mandates on climate change could have a huge impact on growers starting in 2012. More on that later....

Big Easy - not so much

Here in New Orleans, Farm Bureau delegates heard yesterday from Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner. His speech had no laugh lines, and Conner seemed to little enjoy delivering his remarks. He said in forceful terms that the President would veto any farm bill with a tax increases. Conner seemed to regret have to come with this stern news, though, of course, this has been the message he has been delivering for weeks and months. While he held up obligatory hope that a deal could get done, it wasn't the kind of expectant hope that signals a breakthrough. His reception was polite but decidedly chilly, and Conner didn't stay to answer questions from the crowed.

Earlier in the day, speakers told delegates that their best interests were served by getting a farm bill done now rather than have the 2002 farm bill extended for two years. That scenario, one speaker said, could result in a downsized budget for the farm bill.

As it is, the revenue question looms large if a farm bill is to be finished. Will there be across the board cuts to all programs if no new revenue is found? Will the Democrats refuse to play ball and dare the President to veto a bill? March 15 is the date targeted by some as the "drop dead" point for a new farm bill to be delivered this year. From the talk at the Big Easy, it won't be.

No to Klobuchar

I thought Klobuchar's argument for her means-testing amendment carried the day, but Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas resorted to the argument that rich program crop farmers "make a lot of money but they spend a lot too." Plus, she asked, how can you means-test subsidies and not conservation payments? In the end, the amendment gets less than 50 votes and it needed 60.

Reaction from Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner to the failure of the Klobuchar amendment:
"I am disappointed that the Senate defeated Senator Klobuchar's amendment that would have helped bring reform to the farm program. I have talked with farmers all across America, and most do not support a policy that takes tax dollars from middle income America and transfers it to the nations wealthiest few," said Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner.
"The Administration has consistently supported lowering the Adjusted Gross Income eligibility for commodity programs, and although this amendment does not go as far as our proposal in advancing reform, it clearly was a step in the right direction. Its defeat signals yet another missed opportunity by the Senate to enact true reform," said Conner.
"The current farm bill is flawed, and continues to award the wealthiest two percent of Americans with support payments. The Klobuchar amendment would have been a good start in reforming this policy, and it is unfortunate that the Senate failed to enact this much needed reform," added Conner.

The Klobuchar amendment would create a more stringent Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) test for eligibility for commodity programs. Under this amendment, a full time farmer would have to have an AGI below $750,000, while a part-time farmer would need an AGI below $250,000 to qualify for program benefits. The AGI limitation for conservation programs would remain unchanged from the underlying bill, and savings attributed to the lower AGI threshold would be devoted to increases in spending for beginning farmers, rural broadband grants, energy, conservation and research.

An update from Harkin's office:

The Senate has proceeded to roll-call votes in relation to the following amendments:

1. Klobuchar amendment to Harkin-Chambliss substitute #3500, to improve the adjusted gross income limitation and use the savings to provide additional funding for certain programs and reduce the Federal deficit (#3810)

2. Tester-Grassley amendment to Harkin-Chambliss substitute #3500, to modify the provisions relating to unlawful practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act (#3666)

3. Brown-Sununu amendment to Harkin-Chambliss substitute #3500 to increase funding for critical Farm Bill programs and improve crop insurance (#3819)

4. Craig amendment to Harkin-Chambliss substitute #3500, to prohibit the involuntary acquisition of farmland and grazing land by Federal, State, and local governments for parks, open space, or similar purposes (#3640)

Each of these amendments is subject to a 60-vote threshold. If any of these amendments achieves 60 votes, then it will be agreed to; if any of these amendments fails to achieve 60 votes, then it will be withdrawn.

Also, the Coburn amendment to Harkin-Chambliss substitute #3500, to limit the distribution to deceased individuals, and estates of those individuals, of certain agricultural payments (#3530) was modified and agreed to by unanimous consent.

WIC Pic

Lorelei and United pass along this a pic from the WIC Interim Rule Press Conference held at USDA last Thursday, 12/6. From left to right:. Rev. Douglas Greenaway – National WIC Association; Sen. Bob Dole - authored the original WIC legislation in the 1970’s;Under Secretary Nancy Montanez-Johner – USDA, FNS; USDA Acting Secretary Chuck Conner.

By the way, Bob Dole - I don't want to be a name dropper, really - knows my mom through hometown connections in Russell, Kan. A small world. Here are the remarks of Chuck Conner, provided by the USDA, from Dec. 6 at the WIC rollout:

Nancy, thank you very, very much for that warm introduction.

I do want to recognize Nancy [Johner, Under Secretary for Food and Nutrition Programs] for her tireless work. She is an enthusiastic champion of our nutrition programs and her commitment to a healthier America through effective and strong nutrition programs that we operate out of this agency.

Just over a month ago, Nancy and I were honored to announce "My Pyramid for Moms," which is a new website that we provided for expectant women and new moms to get them nutrition guidance to meet what we regard as their very unique needs.

Now today, of course, in our continuing effort to improve nutrition across all sectors of the people we serve we're pleased to announce the first major revision in the foods offered in our WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program, as has been noted, in nearly three decades.

These changes, I believe, will make a strong program even stronger going forward.

They reflect our constant efforts, albeit a long time in coming, to make sure our nutrition programs work for every American and at every stage of life and, of course, always with a special focus on our most vulnerable within our population.

This was the intent of one of the original co-sponsors of the legislation that created WIC, Senator Bob Dole as has been noted already.

Senator, we are deeply honored to have you here at USDA. I know you feel at home here and you should. You have a place in USDA's "Hall of Heroes"; if you haven't seen the plaque on this wall on the other side of these pillars again it demonstrate the fact that Bob Dole is indeed a pillar here at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He brought an atmosphere of bipartisanship to nutrition issues that has really persisted to this day on Capitol Hill and our most vulnerable have been effectively served by that bipartisanship.

I am also delighted that Father Doug Greenaway is joining us, as well, again an institution within our own organization. And again, Doug, thanks for all that you do on behalf of all of us.

And I want to extend a warm welcome to everyone here including our WIC participants and my thanks to our partners and everyone we work with. These nutrition programs involve so many levels of cooperation and participation.

This is a critical program that would not reach 8.5 million people without commitment from all the people involved in this.

With the interim final rule that we're announcing today, we're responding, we believe to the repeated requests that we have received; those from WIC agencies, those from stakeholders and, of course, from participants themselves, to revise the food package so it does reflect the latest nutrition science and dietary recommendations for Americans.

We believe this rule will do just that.

By including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, for example, it will also reinforce MyPyramid and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines as the foundation for federal nutrition policy and nutrition education activities.

The rule will also better align our food packages for infants and young children with the guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

It will also provide stronger incentives for continued breastfeeding.

And it will help address emerging public health and nutrition issues, like the importance of consuming more fruits, vegetables, whole grains into a healthier diet. Certainly advice we can all use I suspect.

Under the rule, we have revised WIC's food packages so they do a better job of offering choices and serving the changing needs of WIC's very diverse population in America today.

To accomplish this, we've added:

New food categories and optional substitutions;

And of course, fruits and vegetables for women and children;

Baby foods for infants six-to-12 months of age; and in some cases

soy-based beverages and tofu as milk alternatives for women and children who desire that option.

And for the first time whole wheat bread or other grain options such as soft corn tortillas for women and children, again to note oftentimes the cultural diversity that exists within our WIC population.

As you can see, and I hope you understand, we've designed these changes to meet the very special needs of our participants. Participants need help during critical times of growth and development for themselves and in some cases their young children.

It is one of USDA's 15 nutrition assistance programs that work together to provide our low-income children and their families with better health through better nutrition.

It is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, tribal organizations and of course, many American territories. We are proud of the accomplishments we have achieved by reaching so many people in America today.

Studies have shown that WIC helps reduce premature births, infant mortality and other birth-related issues. On the education side, health care referrals and social services help boost immunization rates and help children grow up to be healthier and stronger and obviously that is a very, very good thing.

WIC works and through the years, our fundamental goals for that program have not changed.

The revisions we're announcing today will advance those goals by providing a healthier diet for our most valuable resource, our children, and those, of course, who provide the first meal to those children: pregnant, breastfeeding and, in some cases, postpartum mothers.

I'll be the first to say we couldn't have achieved these revisions alone.

We did rely upon an outstanding group of dedicated people for their expert guidance, including our own agency personnel and stakeholders across the country.

I do want to single out the National Academies' Institute of Medicine for collaborating with us on the key study of the nutritional requirements of our WIC population.

The recommendations from that study were critical and fundamental to us in guiding this process.

We received over 46,000 comments on this proposed rule, ladies and gentlemen. This feedback was invaluable to us in bringing all the concerns into account when we drafted this interim final rule.

Thanks to all of this deliberate and thoughtful input, we feel these comprehensive revisions to the WIC food packages better meet the nutritional needs of our participants, and, of course, staying within a reasonable program cost as well.

My thanks to all of you who helped us develop these changes and who work every day on the ground to make sure this program reaches those most in need.

I believe this is an historic moment in terms of moving forward with better nutrition for some of the most vulnerable in our society. In keeping with that history, today we're advancing the vision of Senator Robert Dole who once asked the question that inspires so many of us in this room even today. He said, "What greater human right is there than the right to eat?"

It is a genuine honor for me to welcome and introduce Senator Dole to you today. He needs no introduction. We know him as a true statesman. We know him as a humanitarian.

The Senator followed the advice of his predecessor from Kansas, Senator Frank Carlson, to "sit back, listen, and then of course, simply stand up for what you believe in". And that has been what has marked his career.

There are so many areas where the Senator stood up for what he believed in, veterans,

agriculture, and, of course, as he's perhaps most widely known for nutrition issues.

He was the author of many pieces of farm legislation and has always understood the link between production agriculture and nutrition.

For more than 30 years, Senator Dole and his good friend and colleague Senator George McGovern worked together to support life-saving hunger relief in the United States as well as many people around the globe.

In helping to create landmark anti-hunger legislation, Senator Dole demonstrated that combating malnourishment and hunger is more important than partisan politics. And fortunately that position has really prevailed on the Hill to this day.

Our nutrition safety net of 15 programs and the Dole-McGovern International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program are testaments to his partnerships, his leadership. We welcome him today, ladies and gentlemen, Senator Bob Dole.

Historic words

Here is the official release from the USDA about revisions to the WIC food packages for the first time in about 30 years. From the office of the Chuck Conner:

WASHINGTON, Dec 5 - Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner today announced publication of an interim final rule revising food packages provided by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) for the first time in nearly three decades.

"We're pleased to announce today that the new food packages, based on the Dietary Guidelines, will include fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which are essential to a healthier diet," said Acting Secretary Chuck Conner. "The addition of these foods better reflect the needs of over 8 million low-income mothers and children in the WIC program. The new food packages are designed to improve the nutrition and health of our nation's low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children with nutrition education, and more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to greatly improve dietary quality," added Conner.

The interim final rule, issued by USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, will be published Dec 6 in the Federal Register. It largely follows recommendations made by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) of the National Academies in the final report of its review of the WIC food packages, WIC Food Packages: Time for a Change, as well as the latest nutrition science and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Under the interim final rule, the food packages are revised to add new foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while amounts of some current foods are modified.

WIC provides low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five with nutritious supplemental foods. The program also provides nutrition education and referrals to health and social services. More than eight million participants receive WIC benefits each month, with a federal investment of over $5 billion in FY 2006. WIC food packages were first designed in 1974 to supplement participants' diets with foods rich in five nutrients-vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and protein-because those nutrients were lacking in the diets of the WIC target population.

Conner talking farm bill

Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner visited with a few Vance editors Wednesday on his trip to address the National Association of Farm Broadcasters in Kansas City. (By the way, it was good to see Bill O'Neill, former Vance executive and publisher of The Packer, at the NAFB. Bill nows runs the NAFB.)

Conner was gracious to make time, coming straight to the Westin after touching down at KCI only 30 minutes before. It is remarkable the number of public appearances and speeches that Conner - like Johanns before him - takes on.

I asked Conner about what he tells his brother Mike, an Indiana farmer, about the progress of the farm bill and what the chances are for completion of the legislation this year. I got the idea from Conner - perhaps we should ask Mike, too - that he and his brother see pretty much eye to eye on farm policy. Conner stressed the need to change the Senate farm bill, particularly the need to strip out the tax increases and reform payment limits. With all that has gone on since Wednesday, it is hard to say if Conner is still optimistic that Congress will deliver a farm bill President Bush can sign by the end of the year.

One Washington source I talked to the other day said Conner is a "purist," a conservative product of Purdue who thinks he has got all the answers. I didn't necessarily get that feeling from our brief conversation; Conner, a veteran of many farm bills, seems eager for Congress to make the minimum changes necessary for this bill to advance. More about what Conner said about WIC, Florida citrus and trade deals in other coverage for The Packer.

Conner in KC

Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner is in Kansas City today, and several Vance editors including yours truly had a chance to visit with him prior to his speech before the National Association of Farm Broadcasters. Conner continues to state Administration objections to the farm bill, and says President Bush wants a farm bill he can sign. Besides the farm bill, questions to Conner about food safety, the pending citrus rule, the WIC food package rule and the status of free trade talks. Developing for The Packer....

House passes free trade deal with Peru

House passage of the U.S.-Peru FTA is a bit of good news for President Bush and his trade agenda. However, a leading legislator raises the food safety question....

Here is reaction from Acting Secretary Agriculture Chuck Conner followed by a statement by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who voted against the deal:

Statement by Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner Regarding Approval of the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement

Nov. 8, 2007
"Passage of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement by the U.S. House of Representatives signals the importance the United States places on free trade in this hemisphere and our support for trade partners that share our economic and societal values.
"Peru is already an important market for America's farmers and ranchers, accounting for $209 million of agricultural sales in 2006. We look forward to recapturing the market share in bulk commodities that we have lost to our competitors and to creating new opportunities for consumer-ready and higher-valued products. Once the agreement is fully implemented, 90 percent of our food and agricultural exports to Peru will enter duty-free and all U.S. exports will eventually enter duty-free. Peru will also benefit from the agreement, which makes permanent Peru's market access to the United States. The agreement also supports trade capacity building in Peru, which will help them to strengthen their participation in the global marketplace.
"This solid bipartisan approval is a very positive step and provides the momentum we need to move our trade agenda forward to other nations in line for trade promotion. I just returned from Colombia with several members of Congress where we saw firsthand the tremendous progress there. Colombia is making impressive strides toward economic stability and the free trade agreement would bolster those efforts. The benefits are clear for both countries. Duties on U.S. exports to Colombia are currently very high and the agreement will immediately eliminate duties on 50 percent of our agricultural goods. All duties would be phased-out over time. This agreement is vitally important not only to level the playing field for our farmers and ranchers, but also to support a country committed to democracy. Colombia is striving to create a safe, economically stable society and this agreement can help to achieve these goals.
"We look forward to working with Congress and the agricultural industry on passage of the free trade agreement with Colombia, as well as the pending agreements with Panama and South Korea."

From the office of Rep. Rosa DeLauro:

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) issued the following statement about her opposition to the United States – Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act (H.R. 3688). DeLauro’s vote against the FTA centered around its affect on food safety, as currently, the Food and Drug Administration has no Memorandum of Understanding or Mutual Recognition Agreement in effect with Peru.

“I am very concerned about the way trade agreements have been negotiated and their negative impact on our food safety system. In my view, this Administration has negotiated ‘Free Trade Agreements’ which would limit inspections and safety requirements for imported foods. They take us in the wrong direction on food safety. The Peru FTA essentially builds on the already weakened food safety framework of the World Trade Organization agreement adopted in 1994, which places limits on the safety standards the United States can require for imported foods.

“Most egregious, is the fact that if our domestic laws extend beyond trade agreements’ limits, these actions can then be challenged before foreign trade tribunals as ‘illegal trade barriers.’ What reason could we have to impede our ability to ensure the safety and reliability of our food supply?

“In the final analysis, the effect of a free trade agreement with any country will be to increase sharply, exports from that country into the United States. When food enters the equation in which we know we currently have virtually no safeguards, increasing those exports will only make the situation worse.

“It is about recognizing that trade should never trump public health – and that government has a responsibility to honor those priorities.”

Farm bill rolling coverage

Here is farm bill coverage from The San Francisco Chronicle that describes the votes of Sens. Boxer and Feinstein as crucial to the outcome of the farm bill debate, which is expected to extend until next week.


Here is NPR coverage that talks about reform efforts on the Senate floor.

About the remarks of Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner yesterday, one reporter questioned if the White House waited too long to issue its "veto threat" but Conner objected to the notion that the White House was late in showing up to the party. It will be interesting to see what the White House includes in its position statements on farm bill programs, and specifically whether the Administration finds fault with any f/v related priorities.

This should be a wild ride over the next week or so.