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Ricketts pushes for more ag trade deals, year-round E15 access

A U.S. Senator says lawmakers should focus on expanding market opportunities for American agriculture once the federal government shutdown ends.

Pete Ricketts of Nebraska says there are opportunities to secure additional trade agreements. “There’re other countries that present a lot of opportunity, like Indonesia. We need to go out and make the case to help these countries buy our products. But the administration also needs to work with us to be able to help get these trade deals done.”

During his weekly call with reporters on Wednesday, Ricketts said he also spoke with the Indian ambassador recently about increasing U.S. ag exports.

There are also opportunities to increase domestic demand at home, and Ricketts says lawmakers are committed to finding a path for year-round E15. “That would be a huge help to be able to find uses for our corn. E15 would be a great win for consumers because would help them save money at the pump. It would be great for the environment, helps clean up the environment and it would help out our farmers and ranchers.”

Ricketts says year-round E15 would also strengthen rural economies across the country.