Gov. Heineman to Host European Union Leader to Talk Agriculture Policy

(Lincoln, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman and Agriculture Director Greg Ibach will host a key European Union official in Nebraska next month to share information about agriculture policy and practices. Neil Parish is a member of the European Parliament and in 2007 became chairman of its agriculture and rural development committee. He will be in Nebraska May 15-16.

 “We are excited to help Mr. Parish gain a better understanding of agriculture production in the United States and Nebraska,” Gov. Heineman said. “We hope such information exchange will build relationships and broaden our opportunities for trade within the European Union.”

 During a trip arranged by the Foreign Ag Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, Ibach traveled to Brussels, Belgium, earlier this year to learn about EU agriculture policy. He met Parish during that visit and invited him to Nebraska.

 Ibach said the Nebraska Department of Agriculture will partner with a number of industry and University of Nebraska representatives to cover a variety of relevant agriculture topics with Parish during his time in the state.

 Ibach said, “We hope to give him a working knowledge of critical agricultural production practices that will aid him as a decision-maker in the European Parliament.”

 Potential topics for the visit include crop production using genetically modified seed, and beef and ethanol production. Ibach said Parish’s committee deals with all major issues that affect agriculture in the EU, including animal feedstuffs, and animal and plant health.

 “This is a great chance to showcase the professionalism of our farmers and ranchers and explain the basis for our use of specific production practices of interest in the EU marketplace,” Ibach said.