The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today commended the U.S. Senate on its 87-11 vote confirming former two-term Georgia Gov. George E. (Sonny) Perdue III to serve as the 31st secretary of agriculture.
"Secretary Perdue's expertise, considerable experience in production agriculture, agribusiness and state government, and his ability to engage effectively with others will serve him and U.S. agriculture well as he assumes a leadership role within the administration on trade, the farm bill, regulatory overreach and other issues important to American agriculture," said NGFA President Randy Gordon.
As the owner of three agribusiness and transportation firms serving farmers across the Southeast, Perdue had served as a member of the NGFA's Board of Directors from 2014 until his nomination earlier this year. He also had served as a member of NGFA's Country Elevator Committee in the early 1980s. He won election as Georgia's governor in 2003 - the first Republican to do so in 135 years - and was reelected to a second term in 2006 with 58 percent of the vote.
After President Donald Trump nominated Perdue to lead USDA in January, the NGFA touted the former governor as an accomplished public servant, and the Senate Agriculture Committee later approved him on a strong, bipartisan vote.
The NGFA stressed that Perdue's strong commitment to agricultural trade and recognition of the important role it plays in enhancing U.S. economic growth, job creation and the vitality of rural communities will be important as the administration begins renegotiating free trade deals, including the North American Free Trade Agreement, and reengages in Asia-Pacific trade discussions. Perdue also is a fierce advocate of regulatory reform and is committed to rolling back regulatory excesses within the federal government that have undermined the competitiveness and efficiency of America's farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.
"We look forward to working with Secretary Perdue and his capable team as they 'hit the ground running' in addressing pending, current and future issues important to U.S. agriculture," Gordon said.
