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Bode: Policy gaps hurting U.S. ag markets

The CEO of the Corn Refiners Association says federal policy must do a better job of supporting market access for ag producers.

John Bode says the industry needs data driven and risked-based measures to help improve domestic demand. “Right now, they’re being very disrupted with the assaults on seed oils and other products that are not science based. That troubles me.”

He tells Brownfield there’s also plenty of work to do to create more trade opportunities. “We need to recognize we have been falling behind. The rest of the world has been signing new trade agreements and the U.S. has not. That’s why we have lost 10 percent in our export value over the last 10 years.”

Bode says he’s encouraged by the 18 reciprocal trade agreements negotiated by the Trump administration and is optimistic that will eventually lead to more demand.