USDA OUTLOOK FORUM TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES OF
COMPETING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Forum will be held Feb. 20-21

     WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2003 – USDA’s annual Agricultural Outlook Forum is just a little more than one week away. Held Feb. 20-21, 2003 in Arlington, Va., the conference will examine the current state of U.S. agriculture and include panel discussions on various issues important to the nation’s food and agriculture sector including production, trade, conservation and rural development.

Additional Information ACTUALITY: Gerry Bange, USDA Outlook Board Chairman, saying world wheat trade has been slower than expected. Registration Details

     The forum will include an address by Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman as well as speakers from other agencies and the private sector.

     “This annual forum brings together government officials and agricultural leaders to discuss the outlook for the food and agriculture sectors,” said Veneman. “We have an impressive group of speakers for our conference this year.”

     On the opening morning of Feb. 20, Veneman will make the keynote address, followed by Under Secretary of Treasury for International Affairs John Taylor. USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services J.B. Penn and USDA’s Chief Economist Keith Collins will also speak, discussing 2003 market prospects and farm policy issues.

     Two panels will discuss the issues of competing in the 21st century. The first will feature GROWMARK Board Chairman Dan Kelley, CENEX Harvest States CEO John Johnson, ConAgra Foods Senior Vice President Greg Estep, Wal-Mart Stores Senior Vice President Bruce Peterson and USDA General Counsel Nancy Bryson. USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Charles Lambert will lead a farm organization panel that includes National Farmers Union President David J. Frederickson, Illinois Farm Bureau President Ron Warfield, Florida Citrus Mutual Executive Vice President and CEO Andy LaVigne and Kelley.

     Morning plenary sessions and both panel discussions will be available via a delayed video webcast on USDA’s website at http://www.usda.gov.

     Feb. 20 afternoon sessions will feature sessions on the farm and rural economy, el Niño’s impact, food safety and changing eating habits. Afternoon speakers include USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas C. Dorr and New York University professor Marion Nestle.

     USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Elsa Murano will moderate a session with food safety experts. The day will conclude with a dinner speech by co-CEO of Kraft Foods Betsy Holden.

     Feb. 21 sessions will provide in-depth discussion of 2003 farm and commodity prospects, conservation and environmental issues and a number of trade topics. International speakers scheduled to participate include Chris Horseman, editor, Agra Europe; Laszlo Vajda, Director of Hungary’s Department of European Integration; Leonid Kozachenko, President, Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation; K.J. Weerasinghe, Sri Lanka’s representative to the World Trade Organization; Cargill India executive Hardeep Singh; Tim Whitehouse, official of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation; and Jose A. Orive, Executive Director of the Central American Sugar Association.

     Preregistration is required to attend the Forum, which will be held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Virginia. Registration details and the complete Forum program are posted at http://www.usda.gov/oce/waob/agforum.htm. Register by phone at (202) 314-4701. A staffed press room will be available for news media. Call Martha Evans at (202) 694-5118 for media registration.

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