APPOINTMENTS

Wednesday, December 17, 2008 4:24 PM

Diverse Array Of Groups Pleased With Vilsack

By JERRY HAGSTROM, CongressDaily

Groups representing farm, agribusiness and consumer interests, joined by lawmakers, praised President-elect Obama's selection today of former Iowa Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack to be Agriculture secretary, calling him a centrist who could represent all agriculture concerns.

At a news conference in Chicago, where Obama also officially introduced Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., as his designated Interior secretary, Vilsack said his first priority would be to improve profitability for farmers and expand opportunities in rural America while encouraging sustainable agricultural practices.

Vilsack avoided the issue of trade but said he would work with other federal departments on climate change, indicating support for legislation and international treaties that many farm leaders fear will force changes in U.S. agricultural production methods. Vilsack said he would put "nutrition at the center of all food assistance programs," an indication he will get involved in a congressional battle next year over reauthorization of children's nutrition programs. Nutrition advocates want those programs to address child obesity and related diseases. Meat, dairy and sugar interests are likely to fight changes that would reduce federal and school purchases of their products.

Obama called Vilsack "fiercely protective" of family farmers but praised him as "a leader on clean energy" who wants to move toward cellulosic ethanol, wind and solar energy production. Iowa has hugely benefited from higher commodity prices due to federal support for corn-based ethanol, but neither Obama nor Vilsack mentioned it today. The Renewable Fuels Association said Vilsack "has demonstrated a commitment to continuing the innovation and evolution of America's ethanol industry."

But the Grocery Manufacturers Association, which opposes government support for corn-based ethanol, was even more enthusiastic about his appointment. In an e-mail, GMA noted that as co-chairman of a Council on Foreign Relations report, Vilsack indicated he would back a phase-out of domestic subsidies for biofuels -- such as conventional corn-based ethanol -- and focus on second generation, nonfood crop biofuel technologies.

Meanwhile, the National Wheat Growers Association, which has been struggling to develop seeds to improve wheat yields, praised Vilsack as an advocate for biotechnology. National Farmers Union President Tom Buis, a competitor for the job, called Vilsack "a great choice." The Organic Consumers Association, which opposes biotechnology, was the only group to oppose his nomination.