In backing Perdue’s nomination, NMPF told Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) that the former Georgia governor’s extensive experience in public policy, business and agriculture provides him with the proper skills to be the next Agriculture Secretary. In addition to serving as governor for eight years, Perdue is the founder of three agribusiness firms and was trained as a veterinarian.

“Gov. Perdue is a small businessman from an agricultural state, who appreciates the challenges our industry is facing, both today and in the future,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “The new secretary will have many issues on his plate of great concern to dairy farmers, such as fixing the dairy safety net program, developing export markets, updating child nutrition policies, helping ensure that we have agricultural workers, and implementing new food labeling laws. We will be working closely with him on these and other issues in the coming months.”

The letter noted that, as the former governor of a state that produces billions of dollars in food, fiber, specialty crops, nursery crops, dairy products, poultry and livestock each year, “Gov. Perdue understands the critical role of feeding our country and the world. He is also keenly aware of the importance of agriculture in powering our nation’s economy, providing jobs from farm to table.”

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF’s cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more on NMPF’s activities, visit our website at www.nmpf.org.