News
Ag Secretary blames Congress for export dilemma
Posted: Oct 11, 2012 6:08 PM by David Ortiviz
An agriculture forum in Pueblo today offered some mixed news for farmers and ranchers. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilask, Governor John Hickenlooper and other officials took part in that event.
The good news is the Ag department reports U.S. exports have reached record levels. "At a national level we are now exporting over $2.1 trillion. We have never exported this many goods and services in the history of the United States," said Fred Hochberg, President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
However Secretary Vilsack says he's worried food exports will dip because Congress failed to pass a farm bill. "House Representatives left Washington D.C. earlier to go back and campaign without finishing its work on the farm bill and that jepoardizes our capacity right now because we cannot promote trade as we did before Sept. 30 which means our competitors now have a more open playing field," said Vilsack.
Congress is scheduled to re-convene after the election.
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