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Vilsack: ‘It’s frustrating’ filling USDA opening despite expecting record exports

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says he expects another strong year for U.S. ag export sales.

“We had a record year for exports last year – $177 billion – we expect to break that record this year.”

Vilsack says USDA will conduct trade missions to the United Kingdom in June,  Philippines in July, Kenya in October and Spain in November. “There are a whole heck of a lot of people at USDA that are working very hard to make these trade missions successful that it doesn’t necessarily require a single person so make them successful.”

Speaking to reporters at the Commodity Classic last week, Vilsack said the department is working to fill the position of USDA undersecretary of trade after two people were unwilling to serve. “It’s frustrating. I’m frustrated, but I’m doing a lot more than I did when I was secretary before.  I learned during the four years that I was out of the job about the importance of this. I think it’s fair to say that we’re on top of it.”

He says it’s been difficult to fill the position because of financial sacrifices and “ethical barriers.” “We have a very high threshold now.  We’re requiring folks to do things that they’re just not willing to do things to serve.”

He said he’s hopeful that the trade missions will expand export reliance to more than one or two markets.