ReleaseNo.0057.02HighlightsFromSecretaryVeneman’sAgriculturalOutlookForumRemarksVenemanReviewsFirstYearInOfficeLooksAheadToNewIssuesAndOpportunitiesForAmericanAgricultureFebruary21,2002U.S.AgricultureSecretaryAnnM.Venemantodayprovidedthekeynoteaddressatthe78thannualAgriculturalOutlookForum,atwo-dayconferencesponsoredbytheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturethatdiscusseskeyissuesconfrontingAmerica’sfoodandfarmsector.VenemanusedtheopportunitytoreflectbackonherfirstyearinofficeandreiteratePresidentBush’scommitmenttoAmericanagriculture.“ThePresidentisstronglycommittedtoourfarmersandranchersandinfulfillingallofthegreatpotentialthatliesahead,”saidVeneman.“Ourrecordduringthepastyearhasdemonstratedthatstrongcommitmentthroughtheadvancementofsoundpoliciesandsteeringprogramsandservicesthroughwhathavebeensomeverydifficultandcriticaltimes.”Lastyear,havingbeeninofficeforjustamonth,VenemanoutlinedUSDA’sprioritiesforherfirstyearinofficeattheAgOutlookForum,whichincluded:FIRSTYEARACCOMPLISHMENTSBuildingAStrongUSDATeam:Venemannotedthatthemajorityofhersubcabinetisinplace.ShecalledontheSenatetocompletehearingsontheremainingnominees.Shenotedthatherteamis,“strong,talentedandextremelydiverseinbackgroundandtalent.”VenemanpraisedthededicationandserviceofUSDA’scareerforce,particularlyduringthetransitionperiod.ExpandingTradetoHelpAmerica’sFarmers:Inlastyear’sremarks,Venemanpledgedtoseekopportunitiestoexpandtrade.ShenotedAdministrationsuccessesthispastyearwhichincludelaunchinganewroundofWTOtradenegotiations,achievingpassageofTradePromotionAuthorityintheU.S.HouseofRepresentatives,advancingworkonaFreeTradeoftheAmerica’sAgreement,andworkingto“teardowntradebarriersthathurtAmerica’sfarmersandranchers.”EstateandTaxReforms:Venemansaidlastyearthatsoundfarmpolicyincludestheimportanceofhavingamarket-orientedeconomicsafetynetandtheneedforestateandincometaxreforms.Duringthepastyear,“thePresidentfoughthardfortaxcuts.HeachievedhisgoalandgotataxcutforeveryAmerican.And,hesaidhewouldputtodeaththe