WASHINGTON — Editor’s note: The Senate voted 92-7 Tuesday to confirm Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture. The following statements were released by a variety of agriculture organizations, after this announcement.
American Farm Bureau Federation:
Farm Bureau Congratulates Tom Vilsack on Confirmation
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the confirmation of Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture.
“AFBF congratulates Tom Vilsack on his confirmation as the next Secretary of Agriculture. His strong track record of leadership and previous experience at USDA will serve rural America well.
“Secretary Vilsack and I have spoken several times in recent weeks about opportunities and challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers, and I look forward to close collaboration. We have a lot of work to do as we overcome obstacles created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We must commit to resuming CARES Act programs and continue to build on advances made in trade. We must move forward on the successes made in climate-smart practices while seeking partnerships to ensure new environmental policies remain market-based and voluntary. We also recognize the importance of strengthening the farm bill and bringing broadband to every community in America.
“We stand ready to work with Secretary Vilsack and USDA on issues that benefit this nation’s farmers and ranchers – his success means rural America’s success.”
National Farmers Union:
Farmers Union Ready to Work with Secretary Vilsack to Strengthen Farm System
Pandemic Recovery, Antitrust Enforcement, and Racial Equity Among Organization’s Priorities
In a 92-7 vote, the U.S. Senate today confirmed Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture, demonstrating strong bipartisan support for President Joe Biden’s pick. Vilsack previously held the position for eight years under President Barack Obama.
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew released the following statement in response to the news:
“No one is more qualified to lead the USDA than Tom Vilsack. After serving as Secretary of Agriculture for eight years, he knows the agency inside and out, giving him the insight he needs to get to work right away on behalf of family farmers, rural communities, and hungry Americans.
“That’s a good thing, because there is no shortage of things to get done; most immediately, he must prioritize pandemic recovery. That means ensuring that all Americans have access to food, providing farmers of all types and sizes with the relief they need to stay in business, helping rural hospitals treat critically ill patients and distribute vaccines, and protecting workers across the food chain from covid-19.
“But the pandemic is hardly the only problem beleaguering agriculture; the industry is also grappling with a rapidly changing climate, unchecked corporate power, persistent oversupply, institutional racism, an aging population, and insufficient local processing infrastructure. During his second stint as Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack can’t let any of these issues fall by the wayside. We look forward to working with him towards lasting, meaningful reforms that will secure a bright and prosperous future for family farmers and their communities.”
NASDA CEO Dr. Barb Glenn:
NASDA congratulates Secretary Vilsack on confirmation and stands ready to work on shared priorities
“NASDA congratulates the Honorable Tom Vilsack on his confirmation to lead USDA as the 32nd U.S. agriculture secretary. Vilsack’s
NASDA is especially enthusiastic to work with the Secretary on our shared priorities including protecting the food supply chain, advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in agriculture, building and maintaining markets that advance local and rural economies, and promoting science-based solutions to climate challenges.
As co-regulators with the federal government on agricultural, food and environmental policies, NASDA will work with the Secretary to ensure agriculture leads the way toward a healthy and resilient world.”
North American Meat Institute:
North American Meat Institute Welcomes Confirmation of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack
Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute), today congratulated U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on his confirmation and issued the following statement:
“Due to comprehensive protections instituted since the spring, independent data show that COVID-19 infection rates for meat and poultry workers are now more than four times lower than in the general population and 95% lower than when the pandemic hit the sector hardest in April, 2020. We welcome Secretary Vilsack’s leadership and experience at USDA as we build on these effective protections, vaccinate frontline workers as quickly as possible, feed American families, and keep our farm economy working. In addition, Meat Institute member companies remain at the ready to assist Secretary Vilsack and USDA in ensuring rural communities have access to the vaccine.”
The Meat Institute has welcomed the Biden Administration’s updates to workplace safety guidance and urged the Administration to ensure that any new standards issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) protect the food supply and facilitate the continued success of multi-layered COVID-19 measures that have substantially reduced transmission risk in meat and poultry facilities.
For more information about COVID-19 health and safety measures in the sector, visit NAMICovidFacts.com/health-
The North American Meat Institute is the leading voice for the meat and poultry industry. The Meat Institute’s members process the vast majority of U.S. beef, pork, lamb, and poultry, as well as manufacture the equipment and ingredients needed to produce the safest and highest quality meat and poultry products.
National Corn Growers Association:
NCGA Congratulates Tom Vilsack on Senate Confirmation to Lead USDA
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) today congratulated Tom Vilsack on his Senate confirmation to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). NCGA President John Linder made the following statement.
“NCGA congratulates Secretary Vilsack on his confirmation. Corn growers appreciated his comments in support of biofuels, along with the positive role he sees agriculture playing in addressing climate change, during his confirmation hearing. Secretary Vilsack has consistently shown a willingness to listen to corn growers, to understand the issues they face on their farms, and we’ve welcomed his outreach to agriculture. Corn growers are looking forward to working together to build long-term demand for our product, mitigate the impact of climate change, seek new markets around the globe, and continue to feed and fuel the world.”
American Soybean Association:
Congratulations from Soy & Welcome Back, Secretary Vilsack!
The American Soybean Association (ASA) congratulates Tom Vilsack as he returns as head of the United States Department of Agriculture. Secretary Vilsack gained choice experience in the same role as part of President Obama’s administration and was known as a staunch supporter for renewable fuel initiatives, biotechnology advances, fair trade agreements and preserving the farm safety net.
Kevin Scott, ASA president and soybean grower from Valley Springs, South Dakota, said, “We appreciate that Secretary Vilsack always supported farmers and understood that they are a driving force for the rural economy. We are confident that he will continue to support producers and appreciate his ongoing commitment to seeking farmer input.”
Secretary Vilsack is from a large soybean-producing state and has vast agriculture knowledge, including that gained during his terms as Iowa governor and more recently, running a large agricultural organization. He has a history of advocating for biodiesel and biotechnology, with conservation being another priority. Vilsack has expressed his beliefs that climate can provide market opportunities for farmers and must be designed to ensure that the principal beneficiaries are farmers.
ASA looks forward to working with him on these priorities and other issues important to soy and agriculture.
National Milk Producers Federation:
NMPF Statement on the Confirmation of Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture
From NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern:
“All of U.S. agriculture has an effective advocate in Tom Vilsack, and the nation will be well-served by his return to public service leading the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“We in the dairy community who have had the opportunity to work with him have seen first-hand his deep passion for rural America and his commitment to advancing agriculture and the communities it serves, from farmers and food-sector workers to the consumers and businesses that depend on USDA to meet their needs every day, in every way. That’s especially important in light of today’s pressing challenges, which include a farm economy battered by the COVID-19 pandemic; climate change, sustainability and the environment; nutrition and food insecurity; international trade policies that limit U.S. exports; labor shortages that are worsening with time; and the legacies of societal injustice that need to be addressed.
“Tom Vilsack’s experience and leadership will be crucial to meeting these challenges, and more. We congratulate him on his confirmation and pledge to do our best to contribute to his successful service.”
American Feed Industry Association:
AFIA Congratulates Vilsack for Second Round at USDA Helm
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) congratulates Secretary Tom Vilsack for his second term leading the U.S. Department of Agriculture. AFIA’s President and CEO Constance Cullman issued the following statement today following Vilsack’s U.S. Senate confirmation on Capitol Hill.
“On behalf of our nearly 700 members in the U.S. animal food industry, we extend our congratulations to Secretary Vilsack for his appointment to lead the USDA. He understands that with 6,200 manufacturing facilities across the country generating over 246.4 million tons of animal food annually, our industry is the vital link between crop and animal agriculture. Just as our customers rely on us to keep animals fed, we rely on government leaders such as Secretary Vilsack who have built their careers around supporting the long-term economic growth of this essential sector.
“With the constant threat of animal disease knocking at our borders, we will continue our calls for the USDA to have the resources it needs to not only improve agricultural research and mitigate disease risks, but to create a best-in-class preparedness and response network. We hope that the agency will continue its efforts to harmonize the regulatory framework across the agencies responsible for bringing novel human and animal nutrition-improving technologies to market. Modernizing our rural infrastructure will allow the agriculture industry to fully participate in a more connected world and we stand ready to work with the agency to turn this priority into a reality.
“As our international counterparts and organizations convene to develop strategies to reduce food insecurity and environmental impact, we will support Secretary Vilsack in his diplomatic efforts to ensure science-based standards and regulations remain a top priority. Our members are committed to providing expertise and counsel to the USDA delegates charged with ensuring agriculture has a firm footing in 21st century trade agreements.”
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