Strain Wraps Up Washington Meetings

By Don Molino

During his daily report on the Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network, Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain said he and the other state agriculture commissioners and secretaries attended a congressional reception Tuesday night in the US capitol. 

Strain says he got the chance to have a long discussion with Congressman Mike Johnson, who is now the vice-chairman of the Natural Resources Oversight Committee about needed programs in the new farm bill.

Trade issues remained at the forefront of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture annual meeting in Washington.  Strain is serving as president of the organization this year.

“For instance,” reports Strain, “just in the diary business, over 50% of the increase in the production of dairy products here in the US, more than half is now sold off our coast.”

Strain also reports a great deal of discussion during the meeting has been about the Food Safety Modernization Act and the implementation of that law “and what we have to do to increase our awareness of food safety as the food delivery system changes.”

And as new science and new technology and new ways are found to keep food fresher longer “we have to continue to be vigilant about food safety,” Strain said.

The annual NASDA meeting will wrap up later today.