Gov. Heineman Discusses Ag Policy During Visit to Brussels

Press Release

Gov. Heineman Discusses Ag Policy During Visit to Brussels

Gov. Dave Heineman today met with European officials and toured a sugar beet and beef production farm outside Brussels before concluding a visit to Belgium. Yesterday, the Governor testified before the European Union Parliament's Agriculture and Rural Development Committee during a discussion of biotechnology in agriculture.

The Governor and members of a small delegation of Nebraska representatives are visiting at the invitation of committee chairman, Neil Parish, who visited Nebraska in May to learn about agricultural production practices. The Governor's remarks focused on Nebraska farmers' adoption and use of biotechnology.

"Through the hearing and meetings, we have met representatives of nearly all the European Union member nations," Gov. Heineman said. "This has been an extraordinary opportunity to have an open dialogue on biotechnology, which is an issue of critical importance to our European trade relationship. These leaders face some of the same challenges we do and they are looking for ways to meet their increasing food and fuel needs."

He was joined by Dr. Sally Mackenzie, a professor with the Center for Plant Science Innovation at University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Beadle Center. Greg Ibach, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and a farmer from Sumner, also addressed questions from a number of parliament members, including representatives of Germany, Spain, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. About 100 people attended the hearing.

In addition to yesterday's committee meeting, the Governor met with the chief of staff for the president of the European Parliament and representatives of the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. Tonight the delegation attends a reception at the residence of the U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the European Union. The Governor returns on Wednesday.

The delegation includes representatives of the Nebraska Corn Board, Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Nebraska Beef Council, and other agriculture industry leaders.

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