Strain Talks Trade with Canadian Ag Minister

By Don Molino, The Voice of Louisiana Agriculture Radio Network

Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain is back in his home state today after a three-day meeting in Sun Valley, Idaho, in his role as president of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

Strain met with western states commissioner, secretaries and directors of agriculture, discussing issues affecting not only the western US but also a number of trade issues affecting the entire country, specifically with Canada and Mexico.

“I had dinner with the Canadian Agriculture Minister and talked about ongoing trade negotiations now being conducted in Washington on the North American Free Trade Agreement and how our two countries will work together to increase trade abroad.  If we can increase trade abroad that will help all of us,” said Strain.

While in Idaho, the commissioner visited one of the largest rainbow trout aquaculture operations in North America.

“They had clean, clear, fresh spring water coming directly out of a mountain to farm rainbow trout from eggs to processing,” Strain said.

He also toured the Monsanto wheat breeding facility to see how they’re developing new generations of wheat seed “as they work to get new technology into the hands of farmers.”