Industry backs U.S. agriculture secretary nominee

Industry backs U.S. agriculture secretary nominee    The country’s largest agriculture industry lobbies voice their support for President Bush’s nomination of Gov. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., to U.S. agriculture secretary.
   If confirmed by the Senate, Johanns will replace outgoing agriculture secretary Ann Veneman, who announced her resignation shortly after Bush's Nov. 2 re-election.
   “Presiding over the fourth-largest agricultural exporting state, Gov. Johanns recognizes the importance of opening up new export markets for U.S. agricultural products, as reflected in his many agricultural trade missions he led as governor,” said Bob Stallman, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, in a statement Thursday.
   Johanns was elected governor of Nebraska in 1998 and re-elected in 2002. His agricultural priorities include trade, tax relief and biofuels.
   “His understanding and support of other important agricultural issues — such as acceptance of biotechnology and homeland security measures to protect the nation’s food supply — and his experience growing up on a dairy farm, will serve him well in his new position,” Stallman said.
   “Under Gov. Johanns’ leadership, exports and opportunities for Nebraska’s agricultural products and related machinery and equipment have strengthened significantly,” said Tony Raimondo, chairman and chief executive officer of Behlen Manufacturing Co. in Columbus, Neb., and a member of the National Association of Manufacturers, in a statement.
   Johanns will face numerous trade-related concerns for the American agricultural sector, such as re-establishing the meat export market after last year’s discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in a Washington state cow and handling trade fallout of a recent outbreak of Asian soybean rust.
   “Soybean rust has now established a foothold in the U.S. and is expected to spread before next year,” said Neal Bredehoeft, president of the American Soybean Association, which also supports Johanns’ nomination.
   “Trade negotiations must continue to improve access for U.S. soybeans,” Bredehoeft added.