President Trump asked Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to establish a task force that does a 180-day review of regulations, policies and legislation "that unnecessarily hinders economic growth in the agricultural sector."

The executive order establishing the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity was issued April 25, Perdue's first day in office as agriculture secretary. The order also sunset the Rural Council, which existed during the Obama administration.

“It is in the national interest to promote American agriculture while protecting and supporting the rural communities where food, forestry, fiber, and renewable fuels are grown,” the text of the Executive Order reads.  “It is further in the national interest to ensure that regulatory burdens do not unnecessarily encumber agricultural production, constrain economic growth, hamper job creation, or increase the cost of food for Americans and our customers around the world.”

Ray Starling, special assistant to the president for agriculture, trade and food assistance, said the task force will include a number of cabinet secretaries and White House officials and it will do outreach and accept ideas from state and local officials. Members will come from the following agencies and departments:

In addition to focusing on agriculture, the task force will look at rural communities and make recommendations for promoting their economic stability, Starling said. He said the group will also talk about immigration and workforce issues, and regulations.

“The multiple functions of the task force will help move our industry forward, and specific directives like addressing regulatory barriers farmers face and investing in the infrastructure on which our industry depends will directly address some of our most significant challenges," said American Soybean Association president Ron Moore, a farmer from Roseville, Illinois. "As the task force begins its work, we want to ensure a constant line of communication between ASA and other farm organizations and the task force so that this group can function as effectively and successfully as possible. We look forward to opportunities to sit down with President Trump, Secretary Perdue, and others in the administration to provide input on how the task force can best serve soybean farmers.”

The president and Perdue also held a roundtable discussion with people from the agriculture industry on April 25. They met with:

The meeting included a discussion on pressing issues for American agriculture, such as trade, labor, regulatory reform and rural infrastructure, Duvall said.

“Not only was President Trump receptive to our concerns, but he pledged action,” Duvall said. “He even looked toward Secretary Perdue and said, ‘Let’s get these problems fixed.’ Today, agriculture had not just one but many seats at the table to share with the president how access to international markets, farm labor shortages and burdensome regulations impact not only the day-to-day business of our farmers and ranchers, but also the millions of jobs agriculture supports.”

“The people who are on the front lines of American agriculture don’t have the luxury of waiting to tend to their crops and livestock, so there was no better time to convene this meeting of the minds than on my first day,” Perdue said.  “President Trump has made it clear that addressing the needs of rural America will be a top priority, and the message that we want to send to the agriculture community is that we are here, we are working hard, and we are on their side.”

Source: White House, ASA, AFBF, USDA