Agriculture Secretary in Europe

Agriculture Secretary in Europe

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is spending the week overseas. This is his first official trip to Europe.

Before leaving he told a that when it comes to other nations imposing unfair and unscientific barriers to US agricultural products :

"All options are on the table. We need to make other countries understand that we're not going to stand for any longer unjustified trade barriers that can be supported by sound science reasoning. It's always better to solve differences through negotiation and using litigation as a last resort. But litigation does need to be a credible threat. And we do need to increase our pressure on trading partners that are acting unfairly."

Perdue said in the media advisory. "We value our close relationship with our European partners, but there is work to be done to address the numerous trade barriers U.S. exporters face in that market."

Purdue's itinerary began in Bergamo, Italy, for the G-7 ministerial, which focused on issues like rural development, risk management, disaster resiliency and food security. The secretary is also holding meetings with his counterparts from other G-7 nations to talk about trade issues important to U.S. agriculture.

Perdue and the other G-7 agriculture ministers will join Pope Francis at the World Food Day observance Monday.

Perdue's trip will conclude in Madrid, where he will meet with Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Forestry.

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