Tri-National Agricultural Accord Welcomes Texas Trading Partners

Today I was proud to extend a Texas-sized welcome to agriculture leaders from the United States, Mexico and Canada as we kicked off the 20th Tri-National Agricultural Accord in Grapevine, Texas. The honor was made even more special as this is the first time our trading partners and industry leaders convened in the Lone Star State.



Over the next four days, commissioners, secretaries, ministers and directors of agriculture departments from our three nations will explore trade opportunities, job creation and other collaborative strategies for working together to strengthen our nations’ agriculture industries and overall economies. Fittingly, this year’s theme is “Neighbors in Trade – Partners in Jobs,” so it seems appropriate that Former Mexican President Vicente Fox will offer the keynote address.

They say there is strength in numbers, but I also believe there is success in unity. The Tri-National Agricultural Accord is where strength and success will merge to the benefit of all three countries. It’s also where the Lone Star State will shine brightly on an international stage as we look for future opportunities for growing our powerful agriculture industry.

Unacceptable Speech Hampers Search for Solutions

In a debate that took a deplorable turn recently, a Kansas state lawmaker, at a Kansas House Appropriations Committee hearing about shooting feral hogs from a helicopter, suggested that shooting illegal immigrants from the air might be a viable solution to the state’s illegal immigration problem. Such comments are outright unconscionable.

Everyone should denounce a statement like this, and fortunately, from the Governor of Kansas on down, they have. Unfortunately, some late-night comedians will use this as new material. Even worse is the likelihood that highly charged individuals who don't truly seek to solve the problems of our country will use preposterous statements as propaganda to drive us further away from real policy solutions.

Salmonella Outbreak linked to Irrigation Water at Mexican Farm

New details were released today concerning the nationwide salmonella Saintpaul outbreak affecting produce.

Food & Drug Administration officials linked the salmonella Saintpaul strain to irrigation water and serrano peppers at a packing facility and farm in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

The FDA is advising people to avoid raw serrano and jalapeno peppers grown and packed in Mexico. The safest way to enjoy Serrano and jalapeno peppers is to buy Texas grown produce.

While the investigation has not cleared tomatoes grown on the Mexican farm that may have been sprayed with the tainted water, you can rest assured tomatoes grown in the Lone Star State are safe to eat. Keep your family healthy and safe while supporting Texas farmers.

Keep checking my blog for updates, as the information is changing on daily basis.