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Vilsack’s fifth listening tour stop in Illinois

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack was in Geneseo, Illinois on Monday for a town hall meeting that attracted about 200 farmers, including some from Iowa. It was the fifth meeting in Vilsack’s “listening tour” as he travels the country, explaining efforts underway at the USDA on a variety of fronts, including a bid to increase the standard amount of ethanol blend available in gasoline from 10 to 15 percent ethanol. Vilsack says he’s hopeful EPA will get that done, “But it can’t stop there. We have to take a look at the credit needs of the industry and try to figure out if USDA can provide some assistance and help. And, also we have to continue working with our car manufacturers and consumers to build the additional markets for our ethanol production.”

Vilsack says there’s “understandable” concern among the nation’s farmers about the energy bill that’s making its way through Congress. But, Vilsack says farmers should embrace the change the bill may bring, “There are tremendous opportunities for agriculture to be involved in helping offset carbon that is being emitted in greenhouse gases, are being emitted into the atmosphere. And when it’s structured right I think agriculture will come out in good shape.”

Vilsack says he’s involved in an “ongoing conversation” with the U.S. trade representative who’s trying to get countries to reverse bans on U.S. pork imports. Vilsack met personally with the trade representative twice last week about the situation. He says any ban on pork because of the H1N1 virus is not scientifically valid.
“It’s not consistent with international trade regulations. And if they’ve been successful on the part of a number of countries we still have a ways to go with some of our major trade partners but we’re going to continue sending that message with hopes those barriers can be broken down,” Vilsack says.

Sixteen countries continue to restrict U.S. pork imports. Secretary Vilsack’s listening tour takes him to Indiana today.

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