Making Our Mark
A Legacy for Marketing and Regulatory Programs
We have identified several broad goals and objectives that will be the guideposts for the MRP management team during this Administration, while also providing flexibility for growth and development. Under the leadership of Under Secretary Bill Hawks, the staff of MRP will:
· Build Broader Bridges. We will increase cooperation and strategic partnerships with States, Foreign Governments, Congressional Offices, industry groups, schools, agricultural scientific groups and other organizations directly and indirectly affected by our services. Increased cooperation with these groups will ensure that our policies and programs are developed through appropriate consultation with the people who are affected by them. We will also work to enhance our partnership with other USDA mission areas as well as with other Federal agencies outside USDA.
· Move More Product. We will facilitate trade through aggressive and creative resolution of sanitary, phtyosanitary, biotechnology, grain inspection, commodity grading and other international trading issues. Expanded domestic and international market opportunities for U.S. agriculture products (including value-enhanced products and products of biotechnology), will yield enormous dividends not only for the farm economy but also for national and world economies. We will work closely with Foreign Agriculture Service, U.S. Trade Representative and other international bodies and foreign governments to provide the technical support necessary so that the United States can aggressively pursue new markets.
· Invest in Infrastructure. Agriculture that is healthy, both biologically and economically, is marketable agriculture. We will invest in the best scientific and technological infrastructure, which will increase producers' profit margins, ensure continued international market access for U.S. producers and ensure high-quality, reasonably priced products for US consumers. We will invest in stronger border security, pest and disease surveillance and monitoring, bricks and mortar such as National Veterinary Science Lab in Ames, increased market news on export markets, improvements in e-Government, enhanced investigations of anti-competitive market practices and greater support for biotechnology.
· Grow Our People. We will make a concerted effort to recruit, recognize and reward accomplishment and inspire current and future leaders within MRP. We will make MRP a place where the best and brightest want to be - including promising men and women in diverse fields that include not only agriculture but also journalism, accounting, economics, etc…
· Sell Agriculture as a Profession. We will creatively market the missions of USDA and the MRP agencies and the vital role that agriculture plays in every American's life. Such an effort will help ensure vital public and congressional support for current programs as well as future needs. It would also assist us in our efforts to recruit and retain the highest-caliber workforce.
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