In Washinton D.C. at NAFB (National Association of Farm Broadcasters) Washington Watch, Farm Director KC Sheperd had the chance to visit with the CEO of NASDA (National Association of State Departments of Agriculture), Ted McKinney. Sheperd and McKinney talk about trade, labor, and more.
McKinney first commended Oklahoma’s Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur, who serves as NASDA’s 2023-2024 president.
“She is so well respected, and I hope those in Oklahoma know how well respected she is around the country,” McKinney said.
Regarding trade, McKinney said NASDA is pleased that the Biden Administration is working to straighten out trade under existing rules.
“We have seen some advancement of a few products that we can sell into India and the same for Vietnam,” McKinney said. “They are working on trying to fix the dairy issue in Canada, and the ridiculous corn decree in Mexico.”
Currently, the biggest challenges for trade are sanitary phytosanitary issues, McKinney said, which is usually the biggest challenge year-round. Animal welfare standards are another upcoming issue, McKinney added.
“Sometimes there are bonified controls where a country does not want to lose a very important market, so they might have a tariff rate quota to bring in limited amounts,” McKinney said. “The list is so long on what countries play gamesmanship with each other, and that is why you have got to go negotiate so you cut that out. You get rid of that.”
In addition, McKinney said working towards a functioning world trade organization is critical.
“If we don’t, it is going to be who has the most muscle, who has the biggest brawn, who can outpower the next one, and that is not a very good global relationship,” McKinney said.
McKinney also talked about farm labor issues in the country.
“We just want to be able to bring guest workers in, and manage them,” McKinney said. “We know where they are. We know where they go. We know how we treat them. Let’s bring them in. We need flexibility so it is not just seasonal guest workers.”
