Representative Terry Morrow is pleased by today’s announcement by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack that China has agreed to “quickly resume” U.S. pork imports. China/Hong Kong was the second largest export market for U.S. pork in 2008 before China instituted a ban on pork imports from the U.S. Representative Morrow has pressed the federal government for months to complete the trade negotiations as a major means of supporting Minnesota’s pork industry.
Minnesota’s pork producers will be breathing a bit easier with today’s news that China intends to start importing U.S. pork again. Trade with China has been a top priority as I work with the hog farmers in my district and throughout Southern Minnesota in 2009 to address the challenges they face. Because agriculture is a pillar of Minnesota’s economy, today’s news should be warmly greeted throughout our area.
Throughout the summer, Representative Morrow met with Minnesota’s pork producers to examine the causes surrounding the deep drop in pork prices and to identify solutions. On June 30, 2009, Representative Morrow met with area hog farmers, grain elevator operators, and the Minnesota Pork Producers to develop a plan that included Representative Morrow’s work with Minnesota’s Congressional delegation to resolve international trade issues. These efforts included meetings with Congressman Walz and Senator Al Franken and letters to Minnesota’s delegation in August focusing on the need to renew trade with China.
The June 30th meeting clearly established that access to the Chinese market was crucial for Minnesota’s pork economy. I immediately went to work with Congressman Walz, our pork producers, and others to move the trade negotiations along. Today’s announcement that our cooperative effort has been successful is wonderful for Southern Minnesota’s economy. (more…)
State Representative Terry Morrow, seeking to work with local small business owners on the challenges and opportunities they face, invites local businesses to participate in a new survey. The newly created bipartisan Small Business Caucus will use the information to make Minnesota a better, more competitive place to do business.
Here in my own district, I hear daily from local business owners about ways to create the conditions for small business success. I am excited that now we have a way to collect these ideas from throughout Minnesota and act on them at the capitol.
The online small business survey asks a range of questions, including requesting that businesses share ideas on the ways in which the state can be helpful and how government regulation affects businesses. The survey can be found on the Minnesota House of Representatives website at
We received many, many ideas from the public on how Minnesota could weather the global economic crisis. When I read these suggestions, I became convinced that Minnesotans have valuable insights on a variety of issues. I am encouraged that hearing from Minnesota’s small business owners will bring forward practical, relevant ideas.
In addition to the online survey, Representative Morrow has invited local business groups in his district to meet with him in ‘small business listening sessions.’ Representative Morrow has invited these groups to tell him about state regulations that potentially inhibit business development and operation.
In the winter and spring of 2009, I worked with local school districts and governmental units, asking them to let me know about mandates that negatively affected them. This successful process–now a regular part of my work with schools, cities, and counties—will be expanded to businesses in Nicollet and Sibley Counties.
On October 1, I sent out the following announcement:
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The continuing crisis facing Minnesota’s pork producers–and the resulting impact upon vet clinics, implement dealers, and many others in our area–is the result of a number of factors. On August 20, I wrote to Minnesota’s Congressional delegation to request their help to enable Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to expend $50 million to purchase pork for a set of federal food programs. Through this concerted, bipartisan effort, the USDA allocated $30 million, collected from fees on imported foods, to provide our pork producers a little bit of breathing room.
Because a set of factors have beset Minnesota’s hog farmers and our pork industry as a whole, a combination of responses will be needed. By purchasing pork to be used to feed people, the federal government assists people hurting in this difficult economy at the same time it helps sustain Minnesota’s vital pork producers.
As I explained in my August 20th letter, a two-step solution is needed. The new federal fiscal year began on October 1. That day, I sent the following letter to our Congressional delegation:
(Below is the letter I sent to Minnesota’s Congressional delegation on October 1)
First, I thank you for your support of Minnesota’s pork producers. You may recall that, on August 20, 2009, I wrote to ask you to support use of $50 million before or by September 30, 2009 of USDA funds to help United States’ pork producers. Secretary Vilsack announced on September 3rd that the USDA would expend $30 million to purchase pork to support a set of food programs. The family farms in my district and throughout Minnesota who comprise our pork industry and I are grateful to you for your assistance.
My August 20th letter identified a two-step process to assist Minnesota’s hog farmers. It is now time to pursue the second step. Today, the first day of the new federal fiscal year, I request that you work with Secretary Vilsack to complete a $100 million purchase of pork for the same purposes as before. Quick action will deliver a hopeful sign to our farm families and to Minnesota’s pork industry.
My August 20th letter delineated the many challenges that our pork producers face; I will not reiterate them here as I trust you are very familiar with their plight. I look forward to hearing from you so that I might tell my area’s pork producers that help is on the way. Please know that I stand ready to help you in any way so that, together, we can help our farmers and maintain Minnesota’s agricultural base.
Thank you very much for your help.
Representative Terry Morrow
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*My letter was updated on October 1 to increase the request from $50 million to $100 million, reflecting the discussions that some of Minnesota’s Congressional delegation had regarding the proper amount to request.
On October 11, the Mankato Free Press reported on the pork industry’s struggles and Terry’s efforts to help:
State lawmakers — including Rep. Terry Morrow of St. Peter and Sen. Kathy Sheran of Mankato — also have urged members of Congress to pressure the Obama administration to authorize more pork purchases out of the existing Section 32 funds aimed at helping depressed farm commodities.
Morrow and Sheran requested the help after visiting a rural Courtland farm family which was losing about $40 for every pig it sells.
Representative Terry Morrow (DFL - St. Peter) thanked the crowd and the community for helping this plant get back up and running.
Randy Doyal, Terry, Jerry Seck, Rep. Bob Gunther, and Rep. Tony Cornish
He added that it there has been bipartisan support for helping the Minnesota ethanol industry get off the ground.
“We represent a region, not a party,” he said of his fellow speakers.
He also addressed the complaint by some of the amount of water the ethanol process uses.
“It takes more water to make a gallon of beer than a gallon of ethanol,” he said. “And I don’t hear anyone saying we should stop making beer.”
Morrow went on to say that by reviving this project, the community is helping to bring new jobs to the area. “You are showing that southern Minnesota can be an economic hotbed,” he said.
Terry joined Congressman Tim Walz, the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, local members of the International Union of Operating Engineers, and MnDOT to talk about the need for greater investment in our nation’s and Minnesota’s transportation infrastructure.
As the Mankato Free Press reported:
Rep. Terry Morrow, DFL-St. Peter, said the presence of such diverse groups indicates that transportation funding has broad support.
“This picture tells us that transportation is a nonpartisan issue,” Morrow said, gesturing to the men at the press conference. “This picture tells us that it’s important that we act now.”
