Agricultural News
American Farm Bureau's Senior Lobbyist Talks Ag Policy Under Trump During His First 100 Days
Mon, 01 May 2017 18:10:54 CDT
Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays is in Washington, D.C. this week speaking with policymakers and influencers in the agricultural community. Mary Kay Thatcher, senior director of congressional relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, was on hand to talk about her impression of President Donald Trump during his first 100 days in office, and what direction she sees his trade and agricultural policies developing. You can listen to their entire interview about the Trump administration in regards to agriculture, by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below at the bottom of this story.
"I think most of our farmers, the first thing they would say is, 'he really is doing what he said he would do on regulatory reform,'" Thatcher said. "The fact that he got in there early and said 'I'm not going to implement the Waters of the United States,' is important."
Concerning his position on trade policies, Thatcher heavily emphasized that she and her organization were pleased with the President's decision not to withdraw from the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, as was hinted at last week, but rather strive instead to renegotiate the NAFTA treaty.
"I think Secretary Perdue had something to do with convincing him that renegotiation would be a better option," she remarked. "He was called over to the White House and asked, 'What do you think?' and I think made a great pitch.
"Certainly, he is a very pro-trade guy. I think he knows what the country is saying from all the visits he's made. By every condition, he seems to be an incredibly hard worker. So, he'll be good for us."
Good thing, too, for the agriculture industry to have a man who understands the business and politics like Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue in place finally. With many important policy matters in flux currently, Thatcher says Perdue will prove to be strong advocate for America's farmers and ranchers during Farm Bill negotiations, which she says is shaping up to be very controversial.
Also, she insists he will be a strong voice of reason regarding trade negotiations - when the time comes.
"I think when we get USTR Lighthizer there and then we have the Secretary, that'll be a good time to rally the administration and all the ag groups together," Thatcher contended, "so we're all pulling on the wagon in the same direction."
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