RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler will be in Washington, D.C., Sunday to Tuesday to discuss national agricultural policy with other commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture from across the country.
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s annual Winter Policy Conference will bring together leaders to discuss pressing issues and federal policy affecting agriculture.
Troxler plans to discuss topics such as disaster relief for farmers affected by weather and other disasters; implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act; and agriculture infrastructure. Other items on the conference agenda include the Trans-Pacific Partnership, conservation and biotechnology.
“Farmers in a number of states – including North Carolina – took it on the chin last year due to weather and lower commodity prices,” Troxler said. “As a matter of fairness, any congressional discussion about federal disaster assistance, beyond the usual emergency loans, should consider the situation of farmers in many states.
“I have requested that disaster relief be added to the conference agenda, and look forward to working toward solutions to issues that affect our farmers.”
The Winter Policy Conference will include attendees from state departments of agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and other federal agencies.
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