Washington, DC – U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer today participated in the inaugural meeting of the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity, as established by President Trump’s Executive Order.
Chaired by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, the interagency task force meeting included Secretaries and officials from over 20 cabinet agencies and executive branch offices.
“Rural America has no greater advocate than President Trump, and I’m honored to work with agencies across the government to implement his vision for prosperity,” said Ambassador Lighthizer. “Trade and innovation are essential to U.S. agriculture and rural prosperity, with nearly 20 percent of farm income derived from exports. Yet we know that we can do better for rural America, as our producers face a multitude of trade barriers to the use of innovative technologies and science-based standards. USTR is dedicated to negotiating and enforcing trade deals with standards based on science to ensure the United States remains the world leader in innovation and a global powerhouse in agricultural trade.”
Task force objectives include advancing the adoption of innovations and technology for agricultural production; ensuring that policies for food safety are based on science; and encouraging the production, export, and use of domestically-produced agricultural products.
For more information on the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity, click here.
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