DESPITE BLIZZARD, NASDA MEMBERS CONVENE IN WASHINGTON
News Date February 16, 2010
Amidst what many have dubbed, the “snowpocolypse,” from February 4 through 8, state and territorial commissioners, directors and secretaries of agriculture met for NASDA’s 2010 Midyear Legislative Conference at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, DC. Hailing from across the country, NASDA Members addressed a multitude of issues facing US agriculture, including water quality and environmental issues, pending energy legislation, recent regulatory actions by the EPA on greenhouse gases, reauthorization of child nutrition legislation and food safety.
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack headlined Friday’s plenary session speaking on the importance of cooperation, the future opportunities of bioenergy, and the critical need to address child nutrition. Secretary Vilsack also introduced USDA’s new plans to address traceability in livestock, thus taking the current direction for animal identification into a more state-led approach. A number of other administration officials also spoke during the plenary session, which was moderated by former USDA Secretary John Block.
Additional information on the meeting, including a summary of actions taken by NASDA, is available online. (Contact: NASDA Policy Staff)