By Zippy Duvall
It’s no secret that I love visiting farms across our great country, and last week, I had a unique opportunity, to get a look at agriculture in the English countryside. I was reminded of how much farmers everywhere have in common, and every conversation highlighted how important trade is to farmers on both sides of “the pond.”
Before heading out to farmland, I had several meetings in London with U.K. government officials and farm leaders, as well as with our U.S. ambassador to the U.K., Warren Stephens. With the U.K. trade deal nearly final, Ambassador Stephens has hit the ground running in the short time he’s been in his post. His first visit, in fact, was from our Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. We have already seen what a strong advocate she is for farmers at home, and it’s no surprise that she is just as committed in her work for farmers and ranchers abroad as well.
During my visit, I met with U.K. trade negotiators and U.K. farming minister, Daniel Zeichner. I also met with leaders of farm organizations, including the leader of the U.K. National Farmers Union, Tom Bradshaw; Dr. Phil Hadley, secretary general of the International Meat Secretariat; and Phil Stocker, CEO of the National Sheep Association. In all these meetings, I shared how eager farmers in the U.S. are to open trade with the U.K. and reach customers there.