USDA

Following Argentinian President Mauricio Macri’s visit to the U.S. last week, domestic citrus producers will meet with members of congress and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative -- among other agencies -- early this week to advocate for a more transparent inspection process in an ongoing dispute over Argentine lemon imports, which President Trump recently said he would consider.

“Our real potential for economic growth is either talking you all into eating more or finding new markets for our products overseas.”

The Iowa senator said lawmakers “will have to make sure the people working under him know how important this is for us.”

Ten House members have urged two top agriculture appropriators to insert language in the fiscal year 2018 Agriculture and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that would prevent money from being spent on the implementation of a rule that would allow U.S. imports of poultry slaughtered in China.

“Japan needs to be first. We will lose market share in Japan if we do not move quickly on this,” said an executive with the NPPC.

“On behalf of our nation’s farmers and ranchers, and all of rural America, we encourage you to complete this process this week.”

The panel had set to render a verdict on former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue on Wednesday.

Agriculture secretary nominee Sonny Perdue, at his recent confirmation hearing, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture should not block Brazilian beef exports despite the revelation that Brazilian officials had accepted bribes in return for allowing tainted meat to be exported, with Perdue noting that those exports never reached the U.S. and the U.S. could face retaliation.

Sonny Perdue, President Trump's pick to lead the Agriculture Department, said during his March 23 confirmation hearing that working with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Commerce Department to expand agricultural trade will be his top priority.