Opinion: Quick To Condemn New Administration

In late January, shortly after being named the new secretary of USDA, Tom Vilsack held a press conference in which he outlined several of the department’s major priorities to be addressed. Among them was the announcement that he was rescinding a decision made by the previous administration that would have cut more than $3 million from the Specialty Crop Block Grant program that was included in the 2008 Farm Bill. These funds would have been diverted to oversight and enforcement of country of origin labeling.

To say this was a great move for the specialty crop industry is putting it mildly. United Fresh Produce Association, which had only recently warned its members about possible diversion of mandatory Farm Bill funding (a practice known in some circles as “chimping”), quickly issued a statement welcoming the news. “We are extremely pleased that Secretary Vilsack has made this decision and reversed what would have been bad public policy all the way around,” said Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy at United. “It is incomprehensible that the previous leadership at USDA would place the entire burden of funding COOL enforcement on our sector.”

And to think how many people jumped the gun as soon as President Barack Obama was elected, fearing that their industry was going to go downhill in a hurry.

Unnecessary Fear-Mongering

I hate to admit it, but I was one of these people. Just last month, in writing a column about the European Union’s proposed ban on certain crop protection materials, I raised the issue of whether the same thing could happen here, “especially given the potential policies of the new Obama administration.”

Looking back on it, I think that was a poor choice of words (in fact, I was called out on it by some readers). I fell into the trap of thinking that a “liberal agenda” was going to sweep through Washington and take everyone down with it. And I’m certainly not alone. Last September, during the busy campaign swing, I heard comments at meetings from industry members who were sincerely frightened over the prospects of Obama winning the election.

The one lesson I learned is that, at the very least, President Obama has to be given the chance to succeed. I can’t stomach turning on a radio or TV commentator and hearing them say, “I hope he fails.” Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t recall this much immediate presidential bashing in 2001. To be fair, the economic stimulus package being debated as we were going to print has me a bit concerned, but I do believe President Obama is trying to work across party lines and make sure that whatever comes to pass is beneficial to everyone.

Weighing The Pros And Cons

If you want a great perspective on what the new Obama administration might entail for the fruit industry, be sure to read U.S. Apple Association president Nancy Foster’s “Right To The Core” column. As you read about each issue, ask yourself whether you see them as a challenge or an opportunity for your business, and for agriculture as a whole.

• Labor reform: Obama has said he is willing to tackle comprehensive reform, and is in fact a co-sponsor of AgJOBS legislation. This issue managed to turn a lot of heads two years ago, when the unlikely partnership of President George W. Bush and the Democratic minority in Congress sought to pursue comprehensive reform. Still, this remains a politically volatile issue.

• Farm Bill implementation: As mentioned at the beginning of this column, Obama’s administration has already been proactive in protecting the needs of the fruit and vegetable industry. With our economy facing a challenge right now, there is the potential for some funding to be cut. But so far, it looks like agriculture is being viewed as a priority.

• Crop protection: President Obama has said he’s in favor of making decisions that are based on scientific evidence, rather than emotion.

• Energy: President Obama is committed to seeking out energy alternatives such as wind and solar power. As you may have read in recent articles in this magazine, there are some prominent growers already moving in this direction.

This is going to be a very interesting year for the agriculture industry, and for our nation as a whole. Rather than instantly predict gloom and condemn what might happen, doesn’t it make more sense to think optimistically?