by

Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman,

C-Span’s Washington Journal November 1, 2001 (transcript)

welcome. Secretary Veneman: Thank you. It's nice to be here today.

INTERVIEWER: USA Today article, "Food Supply May Be Terror Target." How safe is our food supply?

”Well, I can say that I believe every step of the food chain is doing everything they can, and they're on guard, right now, to make sure, as they always are, but especially now, after September 11th, to make sure that everything is done that can be done. From the Government side, certainly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a responsibility with regard to the food supply. We have authority over the inspection of meat and poultry and we have over 7,000 inspectors out there doing that job.

           “We have authority over protecting our agriculture from unwanted pests and diseases that could devastate our food production, and we have over 5,000 people in the field that are protecting against unwanted pests and diseases, and making sure that we don't get things like Foot and Mouth Disease, as we were so on guard earlier this year not to get.

          “In addition, the Food and Drug Administration has authority over most of the processed foods, and they are ever-vigilant in making sure that we don't have problems in that arena. But I'd also like to point out that it's not just the Government. It's throughout the food chain and the private sector that's taking responsibility for the safety of our food supply. I know that the food manufacturers are being ever vigilant in making sure that their plants have good instructions on what kind of security measures that they can take.

      “We, at USDA, have put special instructions for farmers of various kinds on what they can do to make sure that their farms and ranches are protected, to make sure that they aren't impacted from some kind of unwanted introduction of a pest or a disease, or a pathogen of some sort.

“So I believe that every part of the food chain is aware, they're vigilant, they're on guard, and that we're doing everything we can. The consumer also has a role. The consumer needs to make sure that they cook meat thoroughly, that they wash their fruits and vegetables, and so every step of the food chain has a role, and I think that we all need to be vigilant, particularly during these difficult times.

INTERVIEWER: Do other agencies have a role in protecting the food chain, besides the Agriculture Department?

“ Well, yes, as I said, the Food and Drug Administration has a role. That is under the Department of Health and Human Services, and there are other Departments that have minor roles, but the primary roles are the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services.

“I might add that we are working very closely together to make sure that our inspection processes are working together, to make sure that our detection--that we have food safety working groups looking at all the potential threats, and so we are also jointly working with the new Office of Homeland Security, to look at any kind of potential threats that people may foresee out there.

“ So, again, we're doing everything we can. In addition, I might add that just as HHS also has under it the CDC, the Center For Disease Control, we, in USDA also have a lot of research, and research capability, and we are continually looking for research solutions on food safety. Detection is a big one. How do you detect food safety issues? How do you detect pathogens? How do you detect diseases, for example?

So our research is very important as we move forward on these issues as well.

INTERVIEWER: How much do you estimate the Ag Department spends on food safety?

“Well, we spend in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Our 2002 budget spends about $870 million just on food safety, the food safety aspect. We spend another $850 on pest and disease prevention. So there are--and these, these amounts are increases in 2002 over the previous year. So we are continuing to, continually increasing our budgets. We also added money this year, and redeployed resources, when we saw the threat of Foot and Mouth Disease from everything that was going on in Europe, and South America, and thank God we did not get it in this country during the scares that the other countries had, but we have to constantly be on our guard.

“We're constantly reviewing all of our systems. We just, this week, our, our folks had a meeting that included 1700 people from states, from veterinarians, talking about different ways to be on guard, to detect things, to be on early alert if some unusual disease in an animal is detected. That's really part of what happened, as you might know, in the U.K., is that that foot and mouth disease wasn't detected very early, and it was allowed to spread, and that's why they had such a problem getting rid of it.

“So one of the first lines of defense is at that farm or local level for an animal disease, for example, or for a plant disease, to make sure that, you know, people are really watching that nothing happens to our food supply here.

INTERVIEWER: 202 is our area code, and if you'd like to join our conversation with Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman. 737-0001 for Democrats. 737-0002 for Republicans, and [202] 628-0205 for all others. Journal@cspan.org is our e-mail address.

Farm Bill currently going through the Congress. What are your views on the Farm Bill, and has it changed shape since September 11th?

“Well, one of the things that we in the administration did is put out a book of principles, that we thought ought to guide the shaping of future farm policy, including the Farm Bill, and that book--one of the things it did is it said we need to look, not just at the subsidies and the safety nets that are given to farmers, but also the breadth of issues that impact our agriculture, whether it's rural development issues or conservation issues, or things like food safety and pest and disease.

“That's an unusual issue to have brought up in the context of this kind of debate, but in fact because we dealt with things like Foot and Mouth Disease, and we knew how important these programs were, we said we need to be addressing these kinds of issues in future foreign policy as well. I think since September 11th, that section that we wrote in our book, and have talked about as a result of food and mouth disease, has become even more paramount in people's minds.

“Many members of Congress now are saying, `Are we doing enough in terms of what resources that we're putting into our food safety systems, our pest and disease systems, and our research systems, to make sure that we can protect our food supply from any kind of threat, either intentional or unintentional’? And I think that's a very important part of what we do. It's an important part of what we need to focus on, and particularly has changed a bit of the focus since September 11th.

INTERVIEWER: The first call-up for Ann Veneman, Atlanta, Republican line.

MS. : Hi. Good morning.

INTERVIEWER: Good morning.

“Good morning.

MS. : I have a comment more than a question but I'd love to hear your thoughts after I let you know. Well, I believe that more than ever, now, we have to trust our U.S. Government, I think we have to trust our specialists on all the issues today regarding agriculture economics, racial profiling, money laundering. We have to trust that the specialists are going to make the right decisions. It's not gonna always be something that we possibly agree upon, but know that U.S. Government is looking out for, you know, the U.S. citizens, and also everyone across the world, and there's a great quote by L. Ron Hubbard, and it's on the day that we can fully trust one another, there'll be peace on Earth.

INTERVIEWER: Expertise.

“Well, I appreciate the comment and I think that trust is important, and I think that another important aspect of this is that we all need to be working together. As I stated earlier, you know, we're working closely with Health and Human Services and FDA, and the CDC, on the issues that we deal with with food safety between Health and Human Services and USDA.

“But we also are working very closely with every part of the food chain, whether it's the procedures or the processors, or the ultimate consumers.

“I might add that we do have, on the USDA Web site, a lot of information on some of these issues http://www.usda.gov/

“We have food safety tips for the consumer side. We have tips for farmers on farm security, and a variety of other good information for, I think, everyone who's involved in the food chain. But I think this issue of trust is important, but it's important also, that all of us work together, the Government and the private sector.

INTERVIEWER: Leesburg, Georgia. Georgia?

MR. : Yes.

INTERVIEWER: Go ahead.

MR. : I would like Mrs.--yes--I would like to ask the Secretary why is it that we--that what is happening to the agricultural bureau, because Southern farmers are not goin' be able to grow anything unless the economic conditions improve. That is, unless we get more, a fair price for our product. We're getting the same price for, the same price for, say, corn, that we got for it back when gas was 30 cent a gallon, and we can't remain in business unless something is done. Are you considering a payout for farmers, in any way, to improve the economic condition of farmers in the South?

“Well, I think, certainly, it's a very good question. Prices have been difficult for farmers and we're certainly aware of that. As you know, the Congress is considering new farm legislation, and that legislation would not only look at economic safety nets for our farmers, and it's our position that those ought to be as market-oriented as possible in terms of a safety net.

“But in addition, some of the other issues we're talking about are extremely important to farmers as well, making sure that what you produce is protected, making sure that we have the right rural development programs to enhance the rural communities where farmers live.

“And so I think that as we look at Farm Belt policy for the future, we're working closely with Congress, both the House and the Senate, to determine what kind of policy will best help the most number of farmers throughout the country. You point out the farmers of the South, and I think one of the important issues that we all have to be aware of is that different farmers in different parts of the country, different farmers that grow different commodities have different kinds of needs, and one of the things that I think needs to be really looked at as we work with the House and the Senate on a new Farm Bill is how do we make sure that the farm policy for the future impacts and addresses the needs of as many farmers as possible? And certainly that would be the goal that we want to work with Congress to accomplish.

INTERVIEWER: Aberdeen, Idaho, Republican line.

MR. : Yes. Mrs. Veneman, my concern, I have a question about--I'm a farmer and you talk a lo about food safety. What about the food that's pouring across our borders while we, as farmers, are struggling to stay viable? We're competing with outside people who are not producing food as safe as we are.

INTERVIEWER: Caller, what do you grow? What do you produce?

MR. : Potatoes and sugar beets.

INTERVIEWER: Appreciate the call.

“Well, thank you for that call. Certainly, one of the things that we have talked a lot about with regard to agriculture is the importance of international trade, and we do import product, there's no question about it, but at the same time, agricultural exports are extremely important for our production agriculture in this country. We export about 25 percent of what we produce in this country, and we obviously produce a surplus of food and this is one of the few areas of our economy where we actually run a surplus of trade.

“But we are working, now, to try to make sure that we open up more markets for our farmers all over the world. The average agriculture tariff around the world is about 62 percent. In this country it's only about 12 percent. So our goal in future trade negotiations is to help our farmers gain more access to overseas markets, to make sure that they have appropriate outlets to sell their products so that they will be more successful and profitable for the long term.

INTERVIEWER: Prior to serving as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman was secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Sworn in this year. USDA has about 100,000 employees and about a $76 billion budget. Next call-up is Eureka, California. Good morning.

MS. : Good morning. I would like to ask Ann, for years, we have been hearing that there were not enough inspectors to inspect the meat, and everything--would be my first question. Have you hired more? Also, when we buy our fruits and vegetables, unless there's a sticker on there telling us where it's from, we have no idea. I know a lot of it's imported. What about before it gets here? Also, one other thing. I always wash my, like apples and potatoes and stuff. Is it good enough to just do it with water? Are we supposed to do it with soap and water? How are we supposed to clean those to make 'em safe?

“Well, let me first talk about the issue of imported produce. One of the things that I think a lot of consumers don't understand is that imported product that comes into this country has to meet the same standards that product that's produced in this country meet, and so I think that's very important. Now there have been calls for more inspectors.

“On the meat side, we have the number of inspectors that have been requested and that are needed in our meat processing plants. There have been more calls and there is attention being given, now, to more border inspectors, particularly for things like fresh produce, and I think that's being looked at in the current budget, to "beef up" the number of inspectors we have at the borders.

“And we are continuing to review that, whether it's for meats or it's for fresh produce, or it's for a variety of other products. We need to consistently look at what we're doing, to make sure that we're protecting our food supply here.

“But on the labeling issue, there are a lot of--produce is labeled as to country of origin in the grocery store, and if you don't know where it's coming from, you can certainly ask your local grocery store and they will tell you.

INTERVIEWER: Next call, Chicago. Good morning.

MS. : Good morning.

INTERVIEWER: Go ahead, Chicago. You're on the air.

MS. : I would like to talk to Mrs. Veneman because of the fact that I am concerned about the fruits and vegetables that are imported into the United States. We don't know where a lot of them come from, because all of 'em do not have labels. The caller before me asked the question that I wanted to ask. My greatest concern is the food pantries where we have to feed people that get fruits and vegetables, and the hospitals. My greatest concern is the hospitals.

INTERVIEWER: Ann Veneman, anything to add that you did not say before about imported foods?

“Well, I think that one thing I didn't answer of the previous caller, that is implied in this question as well, is just making sure that--what do you have to do to make sure that your fruits and vegetables are safe?

“First of all, remember that eating fruits and vegetables is a very healthy diet, and so you need to eat fruits and vegetables. But I'd like to add that what you need to do in terms of washing is make sure you wash them thoroughly, and there are specific guidelines on washing fruits and vegetables, and on food safety, on our Web page, and I would encourage any consumer to go to the USDA Web page under the food safety section, www.usda.gov., I believe it's on the screen now, and have a look at the information that we have to offer, helping you determine an answer, those very specific questions about food safety, because I know there's a concern but I think that if--I think there's good reason to have very good confidence in our food system but the consumer also has a very important role in all of this.

INTERVIEWER: USA Today reports that President Bush has proposed a $45 million allocation to the USDA as part of emergency funding for bio security. Where will that money go?

“That money will primarily be targeted to areas where we need additional security in USDA, whether it's our facilities where we house employees, our facilities where we house computers, our laboratories, of which we have over, about 180, and then some additional building for our laboratory in Iowa which handles some of the more hazardous materials with regard to research.

“You know, things that we're looking at making vaccines from, and that kind of thing--to make sure that we have a secure place to keep those things. I think the whole issue of looking at laboratories, and the safety and security of our facilities has really changed since September 11th, and we're all absolutely on alert, and we're looking at every way we can to make sure that we have the most security that we possibly can have.

INTERVIEWER: Oakland, Maryland, Republican line.

MR. : Hi.

INTERVIEWER: Good morning.

MR. : I know that the United States is one of the major countries in the world that helps not only the United States but the world, and I believe that the people in the United States doesn't have a whole lot to worry about contaminated food that's in the United States, because I've lived in farm country, I've had gardens, and people that has gardens, that's the best food you can get, is what you grow yourself. You know how it's been take care of and what fertilizers or organic material that you raised it with.

INTERVIEWER: Appreciate the call. Valley City, North Dakota.

MR. : Yes.

INTERVIEWER: Good morning. You're on the air.

MR. : Good morning, Peter. Good morning, Secretary

“Good morning MR. : I'm a first-time caller and been farming for all my life. I'm near 50 years old, and for all my life, I've been told, all my farming life, I've been told that we've got to produce for a world market that is, almost every organization who studies world food supply indicates that there's plenty of food in the world for, up and through 2020. Now it seems to me our farm program is one geared for food production, maximum food production, along with our preponderance for accepting new technologies that only increase food production rather than the quality or the nutrition of food.

“Why is it--or will we, any time soon, have a farm policy that will be more constructive towards a healthier diet, or a healthier system, and less involved in just production?

INTERVIEWER: Caller, what do you produce?

MR. : Wheat, barley, sunflowers, soybeans, buckwheat, millet. Lots of things here in North Dakota.

INTERVIEWER: Ann Veneman.

“Well, I understand your question in a sense of we have continued to become more and more efficient producers in this country. We've doubled our productive capacity in this country in agriculture just since about 1970. It's quite remarkable, what we've been able to do in production agriculture in this country, and I think it's something for which all of our farmers should be very proud, and certainly I'm very proud of our farmers because they are the most effective and efficient in the world.

I believe that new technology will continue to produce more nutritious products. We are seeing technologies now that are enhancing the nutritional aspects of various products, whether it's soybeans, which we know have a lot of nutritional benefits, or various fruits and vegetables, or various other products.

But the fact of the matter is--is I believe a lot of the technology that we're seeing today is being directed at producing more and more healthy types of food, the so-called nutraceuticals and functional foods that we're seeing more and more of. Those are kind of futuristic terms, but the fact of the matter is those are some of the new technologies that are being worked on. And I believe what you're talking about is exactly what we will see in the future.

INTERVIEWER: Jefferson City, Missouri, Democratic line.

MR. : Good morning. I was wondering why since the farmers don't make anything for their product, why do we pay nearly $5 a box for cereal?

Well-- INTERVIEWER: Price change.

“There is, there is a big price differential, and I think what we see is the consumer wanting to buy a more and more processed product, and the farmers being the initial input into that product and not getting a very big share of that market. There's no question about it. Now some farmers are addressing this issue, because more and more, we're seeing around the country farmers coming together and forming businesses to get more of that value out of the food chain.

“For example, we had a caller just a little while ago from North Dakota. There's a group of wheat growers up there that got together and formed an organization called the Dakota Pasta Growers. And it's wheat growers. And they are now one of the largest pasta producers in the country and they're doing much better than if they were simply growers, because they've said we've got to find ways to get more of that consumer dollar out of the food chain. And we see success stories like that all over the country, where farmers are saying, "We want to take action and we want to figure out how do we get some of that consumer dollar," because of exactly what the caller's talking about, and I think we'll see more of that as time goes on.

INTERVIEWER: Washington Times reports "U.S. Buys Foreign Wheat To Feed Afghans." Are you familiar with this story?

“I saw it this morning; yes.

INTERVIEWER: Can you tell us anything about it?

“Well, I think that part of the issue here is getting product quickly, as winter sets in. There is U.S. wheat that's now in the process of getting into the food aid channels there, but I think this is to supplement what's already coming in from the U.S., to make sure there are sufficient supplies for all of these refugees which, we've seen on TV as winter sets in.

“Afghanistan has suffered from droughts. There has not been sufficient food there. Food aid has been coming, both from the U.S., through the World Food Program, but I think this is primarily to supplement what's going to be needed in the short term to make sure that these folks get through the winter. And I think one of the primary objectives that we've had is not just to fight this war against terrorism, but to make sure that the people of Afghanistan who, you know, certainly aren't part of the terrorist network there, have adequate food, that they're not, you know, that they're not left behind.

“And so, certainly, it's an objective to make sure that the people are properly fed during this difficult time.

INTERVIEWER: Next up for Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman, Fort Worth, Texas, Republican line.

MS. : Yes. Good morning.

INTERVIEWER: Good morning.

MS. : Yes. I was also listening to you talking about the food and how you all are trying to make it more safe and everything. But I was just wondering, is there any way, by us buying a lot of food from overseas, is there any way they could get some kind a--the terrorist could implement some kind of a genetic bio terrorism into the vegetables or fruits that we get from overseas, and that could cause people to get sick?

“Well, again, all of the product that comes in from overseas has to meet U.S. standards, and we have standards for any kind of products of biotechnology or genetic changes, and unless they're approved in this country they would not be allowed to come into this country.

“I understand your question. It is something that people are concerned about, but, again, I want to assure you that any food that comes into this country does have to meet U.S. standards and has those requirements.

INTERVIEWER: New York City on our "others" line. Good morning.

MS. : Good morning. I just wanted to say that I work for an international trade organization in Geneva, and I'm aware, as I know you are, I've been listening to your comments, that we have a massive shortage of inspectors to inspect the products coming into this country, and I know that you have to assure the public, that everyone is afraid right now, but I also think it's a good time for honesty because people need to be aware.

INTERVIEWER: Caller, can you give us a specific example. Do you work for a food company?

MS. : No. I work for a trade organization in Switzerland.

INTERVIEWER: Okay, and give us a specific example of the shortage of inspectors.

MS. : Well, I actually don't want to quote anything because I don't want anyone to know where I work, but I've seen the statistics and I've been on the Web sites, and I work with this, and it's an organization that's involved with the agricultural sector, internationally, and I am very aware of the shortage.

INTERVIEWER: And are you worried about your food safety?

MS. : I personally am not.

“Well, again, as I think we talked about before, we have--I know that HHS, particularly, who has the FDA inspectors at the borders, has asked for additional inspectors. We have, in USDA, veterinarians and animal and plant health inspectors at the borders, and we are also asking for additional inspectors as well. Because of the Foot and Mouth scare earlier this year, we in USDA have redeployed a lot of inspectors. But I know that from the standpoint of imported produce and processed products that FDA inspectors at the border, there has been a call for more inspectors and I believe that's being addressed in the budget, the budget requests that are going forward through the Congress.

INTERVIEWER: Next call, Round Lake, Minnesota, Democratic line. Minnesota.

MS. : Yes, ma'am. I was wondering, could you tell me why the price of corn hasn't gone up significantly in the last 40 years. It's remained about the same.

“Well, I know the price of corn--one of the things that's happened is that while prices have remained relatively flat, our productivity has increased substantially, and significantly, and we continue to produce more and more, which has a tendency, then, to pull down the prices.

“Now, I know that's very difficult for farmers, and, again, we're working hard to work with both the House and the Senate to make sure that we craft farm policy for the future that will keep our farmers and ranchers viable, that will give them the kind of safety net they need, so that they can continue to provide us with the superior food and agriculture products that we get in this country.

INTERVIEWER: Again, the status of the Farm Bill and also people are being laid off, the unemployment rate is rising. Do you foresee an increase in food stamps, in the price, and how many food stamps?

“Yes. I think it's important to talk about the fact that--many people don't know that we, in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, administer the food programs, the food stamp program, the WIC program, Women, Infants and Children, the school lunch, school breakfast.

“That is one of the main missions of USDA, in addition to assisting farmers. It's one of the major budget items that we have. We will probably project some increases in the food stamp rolls as the unemployment numbers go up, those generally track each other, and so we are looking at that and anticipating an increase, potential increase in those rolls.

“With regard to the Farm Bill and farm legislation, the Senate is working on the bill as we speak. We continue to work very closely with the Senate staff with the technical expertise, and look forward to working with both members of the House and the Senate as we move forwards towards final legislation.

INTERVIEWER: Three minutes left with Secretary Ann Veneman. Saratoga, Wyoming. Good morning.

MR. : Good morning. I'd like to thank you for C-SPAN and I'm particularly pleased to see all the fine people from the Bush Cabinet this morning that are on, including Ms. Veneman, and I'd like to ask a question about the genetically-altered food, and I wonder if the Government is looking at what the percentage of our food is that's genetically altered.

I've heard the figure 60 percent, and I know I try to follow the pattern of eating five or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day, but I discover that many of the things in the supermarket are tasteless and don't have any aroma, and that makes me wonder if that's genetically altered food and it makes me wonder about the nutritional value.

So I wonder if the Government is looking into this?

INTERVIEWER: Ann Veneman.

“Okay. I think the 60 percent figure on genetically-altered or biotechnology probably comes from the fact that I think probably about that number of soybeans now are biotech soybeans, ones that use less chemicals to produce. I mean, one of the things that I think it's important to understand is the benefits of biotechnology. Not only are there some production enhancement aspects to biotechnology but what we're finding, now, because so many of these crops have been engineered so they don't need to use so many pesticides, is we're finding better water quality, for example.

“Now if there is a concern on the part of the consumer about consuming products of biotechnology, and I don’t think the consumer should have any concern whatsoever--but if there is a concern, we do have a national organics labeling act now, and if the consumer is concerned, they can buy organic products that are readily available in many supermarkets, and then they can be assured that they're not getting any products of biotechnology.

“But I would again emphasize the importance of biotechnology and what it promises for the future. It's through these kinds of products that we're going to have, you know, healthier foods, and so forth.

“As to the fruits and vegetables you asked about, most fruits and vegetables, I think there are very few approved varieties of biotechnology fruits and vegetables. You know, what you get in the supermarket, I think you need to be telling your supermarket. Supermarkets are basically, now, going out and looking for what the consumer wants.

“The food chain today is very consumer-driven and I believe that they will continue to provide products that the consumers will want and buy. Consumers are also often now, in many states, going to their local farmers markets and buying directly from farmers because they like the products they get with regard to fruits and vegetables from their farmers markets as well.

INTERVIEWER: Ann Veneman was raised on a peach farm in Modesto, California, and today she's Secretary of Agriculture. Thanks for coming by. Hope you'll come back.

“Thank you very much for having me today”