The U.S. Department of Agriculture needs to make sure that the biofuels industry has support to survive recent market challenges, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Monday.
Vilsack discussed his priorities for the Department on Monday during a teleconference call with reporters.
In addition to announcing a 60-day extension to the comment period concerning limits to payments under the 2008 Farm Bill, he asserted the following priorities:
- Combating childhood obesity and enhancing health and nutrition, indicating that the Department should play a key role in the public health debate and that nutrition programs should be seen as an opportunity to both alleviate hunger and prevent health care problems.
- Advancing research and development and pursuing opportunities to support the development of biofuels, wind power, and other renewable energy sources; promoting policies that will accelerate the development of next-generation biofuels.
- Making progress on major environmental challenges, including climate change. Vilsack said it’s important that farmers and ranchers play a role with USDA in efforts to promote incentives for management practices that provide clean air, clean water, and wildlife habitat, and help farmers participate in markets that reward them for sequestering carbon and limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
- Supporting the profitability of farmers and ranchers by providing a safety net that works for all of agriculture, including independent producers and local and organic agriculture, and enforcing the Packers and Stockyards Act.
- Quickly implementing the 2008 Farm Bill; modernizing the food safety system; and investing in programs that alleviate hunger and suffering overseas and support long-term agriculture development.
- Restoring the mission of the Forest Service as a protector of clean air, clean water, and wildlife habitat; a provider of recreation opportunities; a key player in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration. Vilsack indicated that it is important that we appropriately budget for wildfires so that the Forest Service has the resources it needs for both wildfires and its other missions.
In Related News..
U.S. 2009 ethanol credit prices have risen 28% since last week, as supply concerns have grown with the closing of numerous refineries in recent weeks.
Refiners and blenders have the option to buy credits that allow them to meet U.S. biofuel blending requirements.
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