WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today released the following statement after U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced action on the establishment of a trade undersecretary and other restructuring within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Agriculture Secretary Perdue today sent a letter to Chairman Roberts communicating the changes within USDA.
In the 2014 Farm Bill, Congress directed the USDA to establish an Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs and realign the Foreign Agricultural Service to report to the new trade undersecretary.
“Just a few short weeks into the new job, I’m pleased that Secretary Perdue continues to hit the ground running on behalf of rural America. The establishment of a trade undersecretary is long overdue.”
“As I continue to say, we need to get the right folks down at the Department to get to work on the issues that matter most to farmers. Trade is certainly at the top of that list.”
“I’m hopeful this realignment will benefit rural America, and I look forward to reviewing the report from Secretary Perdue.”
In addition, Secretary Perdue announced the creation of a newly-named Farm Production and Conservation mission area that will include the Farm Services Agency, Risk Management Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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