Agricultural News
AFBF's Dale Moore Talks About Qualilfications for USDA Secretary, New Administration And 2021 Convention
Tue, 01 Dec 2020 08:56:16 CST
The USDA's top post should be held by someone who understands agriculture and the many challenges farmers have to deal with on a daily basis said Dale Moore, executive vice president of the American Farm Bureau.
Moore was recently interviewed by Radio Oklahoma Agriculture Network Farm Director Ron Hays. The interview covered a wide range of topics from current issues to a new administration to the 2021 AFBF convention.
Moore made it clear they still must get several issues resolved during the current congressional session.
The budget deadline of Dec. 11 is looming, Moore said.
Moore noted they are working on getting additional government stimulus funds for agriculture.
There is always hope, Moore said.
I think there is a clear understanding that agriculture must have additional resources made available, Moore said.
Funding is one of the issues Moore said they have already reached out to President-elect Biden for discussion.
We're encouraged by the folks reaching out to us from the Biden camp are familiar with us, Moore said.
They understand agriculture and as we move forward, we anticipate more familiar faces, he said.
I think there is a clear understanding that agriculture must have additional resources made available, Moore said.
Farmers would much prefer to have their income from the marketplace but during this time it is important to have additional assistance, he said.
The AFBF executive praised USDA Sec. Perdue and Congress for getting funds to the farmers through the two rounds of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
CFAP 1 was welcome and quickly identified a number of challenges, Moore said.
CFAP 2 is a continuing ongoing effort by the USDA and Congress to provide additional assistance, he added.
We want to make sure the Secretary has the flexibility to find the ways to most efficiently offer benefits, Moore said, without having an act of Congress to help farmers
When asked about the possibility of a new Secretary of Agriculture under the Biden Administration, Moore relied on his 35 years of Beltway experience.
We've heard a lot of names and here is what is critical, Moore stated:
The secretary of Agriculture needs to understand how important it is to work with us and our rural communities and be flexible enough to address our needs and issues but not mandate direction, Moore said.
They don't have to come from a farm but need to understand what it's like to have Mother Nature for a partner and to understand trade issues, he said.
Moore said progress on regulatory issues under the Trump administration will be closely guarded.
We are prepared to protect the ground we have gained under the Trump administration, particularly on the new water rules, Moore said.
We know there are going to be efforts to go after that (WOTUS) and our sincere hope is the Biden administration will focus on how they can maintain the balance under this rule, Moore said.
Moving into a new year always starts with the annual American Farm Bureau convention and due to COVID-19 the 2021 version will be a virtual event.
It's one of things our team will make sure that we have a platform in place so our delegates can work through the policy development process and feel like they are able to engage in this process, Moore said.
We are hopeful this will be a very smooth event, Moore added.
Click on the listen bar below to hear more of Ron's interview with Dale Moore.
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