Measures for farmer
This is about to change at the USDA
Sonny Perdue (US Secretary of Agriculture) has announced a major reorganization at his ministry, the USDA. He opts for a different structure with new secretariats. There will also be a Deputy Secretary, especially for the sale of American grain, meat and dairy. His message to farmers is: 'You produce the products, we sell them.'
American agriculture is crucial to the American economy, according to Perdue. The export of agricultural goods amounts to about 20 percent of the total production value. According to Perdue, $1 billion in agricultural exports creates approximately 8.000 American jobs. Competition in the world market is increasing. 'We have to arm ourselves against that.' That is why Perdue wants a special secretariat for the agricultural trade.
New structures
Perdue wants to reposition the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The FAS deals with foreign trade while the FSA operates exclusively in the domestic market. Both agencies are still under the same implementing body. Perdue now wants to transfer the FAS to the new secretariat. This allows the FAS to focus even better on foreign trade.
There will also be a new secretariat, especially for the domestic production of agricultural goods. Its deputy secretary will deal with issues that play a role in rural America. The countryside in the United States has its own problems. For example, the poverty rate is the highest since 1986. No less than 85 percent of the poor areas in the US are rural regions. As a result, children grow up in poverty and that is not good for the future of the American agricultural economy.
Appreciation for farmer
“American farmers are hardworking people. Many of them see their profession as a calling', says Perdue. Perdue says he really appreciates their efforts and that rural issues should be brought back on the table.
The new structure allows the USDA to better serve farmers. However, Perdue warns that vitalizing the American countryside is an unparalleled task. The reorganization is by no means intended to cut back on the USDA. All civil servants keep their jobs.
Advocates happy
Advocates who represent the interests of American farmers say they welcome the restructuring at the USDA. They say they have previously argued for a deputy minister for agricultural trade. It is clear that the Trump administration deeply appreciative of American agriculture. Sonny Perdue, who recently became the highest-ranking official at the USDA, has been commended for his prompt and effective action in this process.
Wouter Job
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