Kansas Department of Agriculture responds to Farm Bill report

(Special to westernkansasnews.com)

MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Kansas Department of Agriculture and Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey responded to today’s release of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report. “We thank Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts for his unwavering commitment to reaching an agreement for the 2018 Farm Bill,” said Secretary McClaskey. “We especially appreciate Senator Roberts’ efforts to seek input from Kansas agriculture stakeholders throughout this entire process, and then to truly consider that input in the development of the Farm Bill. Congratulations on a job well done.”

In Kansas, we take our responsibilities related to emergency response very seriously and we commend Senator Roberts and Congressman Roger Marshall for supporting meaningful policy changes to enhance our ability to prepare and respond to agricultural emergency situations, including natural disasters like drought and wildfire as well as foreign animal disease outbreaks. The development of the National Animal Disease Preparedness, Response, and Recovery Program recognizes the important and unique roles that state, federal, and local government as well as private industry play in a disease response situation. It will provide for new opportunities to continue the development and expansion of cooperative efforts that help us all be prepared to respond to a foreign animal disease outbreak.

We are fortunate to have trusted leaders who understand the realities of Kansas agriculture working for us in Congress. We look forward to better understanding all of the provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill and to continuing to work with our partners moving forward.