WASHINGTON, D.C. — With more than 170 meetings on Capitol Hill in two days, the United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference lobbied lawmakers on the farm bill, trade, nutrition, food safety and immigration reform.
While those may be the “usual suspects” for industry priorities, this year’s Sept. 24-26 conference looked at the issues in a new way.
Close to 400 attended the conference and Tom Stenzel, president and CEO of United Fresh, said the event looked for ways to overcome a polarized political climate.
“One of the things we’re trying to do at this year’s conference is help our members understand how to break through that polarization (in Washington, D.C.),” he said, noting that speakers at the included moderate politicians who are willing to work together.
Two of those speakers were Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., and Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif. The two displayed a friendly banter and stressed the need for principled compromise on divisive issue and cooperation on common priorities. The two lawmakers struck a chord with the Washington Conference attendees.
“We need Republicans and Democrats working together, not trying to do everything by themselves,” Stenzel said. “So it’s really been eye-opening, I think, on a number of issues, whether it’s trade, finding an agricultural trade message, immigration reform — we’ve got to look at this in a new way.”
As for immediate priorities, Stenzel said United Fresh is pressing for passage of the 2018 farm bill. Congress may need an extension past the Sept. 30 deadline to get it done, likely into the lame duck period after the November elections.
“We really wanted them to do it before September 30... but we’re going to get it done this year.”
