"Mike Johanns has
been one of the best agriculture secretaries, a true friend of livestock
producers," said NPPC president Jill Appell.
"The US pork industry
is particularly thankful to secretary Johanns for his support of free trade
agreements, which have been of tremendous importance to pork
producers."
Chuck Conner
Deputy agriculture secretary Chuck Conner, who has been USDA's point person on the 2007
Farm Bill, will serve as acting secretary.
"As secretary Johanns
pointed out, USDA and the agricultural community is in very capable hands with
Chuck Conner at the helm, and we look forward to working with him," said NPPC
CEO Neil Dierks.
"We wish Secretary Johanns good luck in his future
endeavours," Dierks said. "He was a very good agriculture secretary and a good
governor, and we're confident he'll be successful in whatever he
does."
Address
Johanns made the announcement to leave just
a day after addressing pork producers at NPPC's fall legislative action
conference, at which he commended the US pork industry for its leadership on
trade and animal identification.
"One of the really, really great
partners we (USDA) have had over the last three years has been this industry,
the pork industry," Johanns told more than 150 producers.
"You've
been leaders in so many areas, including trade, and I want you to know, it's
appreciated. We appreciate it immensely."
Related news items:
• US agricultural secretary leaves
(21 Sept 2007)
Related
websites:
• United States
Department of Agriculture
• National Pork Producers Council
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