Tom Vilsack

First, he is very concerned about the health and welfare of America's children and wants to make sure our children have access to nutritious food.

We are committed to following the intent of Congress, as you all have outlined it, that we do not think that what we have proposed or suggested or that what you all have passed is necessarily trade-distorting.

We are committed to a fair resolution of outstanding and longstanding civil rights cases against the Department.

He wants to end childhood hunger by 2015. He is committed to it. We are committed to it.

I think we have done a reasonably good job of getting a significant amount of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act money out.

The establishment of this working group demonstrates that key officials within the Obama Administration understand ILUC is getting politics ahead of science.

We think there are opportunities for reform in crop insurance, and we do believe it is appropriate to focus on a $250,000 hard cap.

I do not want this Congress to lose confidence in the system, not provide funding, and then send I think what would be a very poor message to our trading partners.

[O]ur capacity to meet this extraordinary need [of global hunger] must start with a commitment to build a strong economy here in the United States. Without that strong economy, we cannot make a strong commitment to International Food Aid.

Twenty-two countries have banned pork products or pork, either from our country totally, or from various individualized States within the country.

U.S. pork and pork products are safe and these markets should be reopened consistent with international guidelines.

Restoring the international market for U.S. meat and poultry is a top priority.

Today there has been a clarification made by WHO that is very consistent with what the Doctor just indicated, which is that pork products are safe and safe for consumption.

This is a priority from the top, and FSIS is up to the challenge.

They recognize the role that they play in not just feeding Americans but people all over the world.

As science continues to expand our knowledge about pathogens and other challenges to the safety and security of our food supply, we need to make sure that whatever our system is for ensuring the safety of the food supply is consistent with…

It is important and necessary for the USDA to continue to look for ways to expand income opportunities for farmers.

It is a very important aspect of the Department and one that I am absolutely committed to working on.

I will work with you. I commit to doing that.

I am committed to this.

As you well know, there have been some very tragic circumstances in California with dairy farmers who have been so stressed that they have taken their own lives.

The Department of Agriculture was founded by President Lincoln as 'The People's Department.'

So my hope is that, A, we can establish a 21st century system using the best available science; and, B, that we can do a better job of coordination and cooperation with other Federal agencies.

What I learned from that experience and what I would share with this Committee is that discrimination comes in a variety of forms.

I think it is also important to recognize the important role, again, that rural development plays in providing opportunities that supplement and support farm income.