Dealing with Some Trouble
Dealing with Some Trouble. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Line On Agriculture.
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack is dismissing the suggestion that USDA takes its cues on animal welfare exclusively from the Humane Society of the United States. A copy of an internal USDA memo was obtained that recommends HSUS and other welfare advocacy groups be allowed to set the agenda for a proposed animal welfare scientific forum. No mention is made of asking any agricultural organization or ag scientist for assistance in planning the meeting. The omission has angered animal ag stakeholders. Colin Woodall is vice president of government affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
WOODALL: We know that HSUS is an activist organization. That is, we think kind of giving a little bit of an undue preference here with this announcement. We think that the administration really needs to make sure that true stakeholders in this game are the ones that are able top provide this type of counsel and input.
Vilsack addressed the memo and the resulting controversy during remarks to farm broadcasters meeting in Kansas City.
VILSAC: What we’re trying to establish is a department that understands that we have a responsibility in a democracy to listen. Of people have concerns; if they are legitimate, we have a responsibility to listen. Now that doesn’t mean we have to listen in a vacuum. What that does mean is we have to listen and we have to solicit viewpoints and so unfortunately there was a misunderstanding a certain memo that got out and essentially what we’re talking about is a process by which a lot of people are going to be at the table. ..and we’re going to have a conversation between all those folks at the table.
More broadly, the USDA chief argued that his department has an obligation to engage non-farm interests on all policy matters under its jurisdiction.
VILSACK: And it’s not necessarily taking sides. If I have to make a decision on things I have to decide, I will. But we’re trying to create a conversation here. And we’re trying to create a trusting relationship so that people have an appreciation - an appreciation, not just an understanding but an appreciation for what they have with American producers. And I think if we have that conversation then a lot of the concerns that are generated that may not have much basis, won’t be considered credible.
That’s today’s Line On Agriculture. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.
