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2001 National Travel Seminar
Class Diary |
March 14, 2001
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Senators, the
Environment & Chile
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Washington D.C.
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The IALP Class of 2002 started Wednesday, March 14, with briefings
by U.S. Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Peter Fitzgerald (R-IL). Senator
Durbin emphasized his concern for AIDS in underdeveloped
countries and consumer acceptance of GMO’s. He outlined key
components of a new Farm Bill--research, risk management,
conservation and trade. Senator Fitzgerald,
a member of the Senate
Agriculture Committee, emerged as a strong supporter of ethanol
when he outlined his bill to phase out MTBE.
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Some class members trod a path to their respective Congressional
offices and/or listened to testimony during House Ag committee
hearings on the Farm Bill.
Grabbing taxis and heading to the EPA, the class met
with Diane Regas, Deputy Assistant Administrator for
Water. She
outlined the need for producers to take proactive measures in
nutrient management practices. Steve Johnson, EPA Assistant
Administrator for Prevention,
Pesticides and Toxic Substance updated members about the 1996 Food Quality
Protection Act and the history behind recent problems with
Starlink corn.
Jay Vroom may have headed to Washington, but he reestablished his
Illinois roots by sponsoring a luncheon with IALP class members. As
president of the American Crop
Protection Association , he spoke about forming an active
coalition of food chain interests. Also speaking before the group,
former assistant administrator of the EPA, Jim Aidala, observed that
other countries place a high degree of confidence in U.S. regulatory
agencies. He emphasized the need for researched based decisions.
"Science will set you free," said Aidala. Dr. John Thorne,
Captiolink, LLC, provided
background information to class members on water quality issues.
Grabbing taxis and heading to the EPA,
the class met with Diane Regas, Deputy
Assistant Administrator for Water. She outlined the need for
producers to take proactive measures in nutrient management
practices. Steve Johnson, EPA Assistant Administrator for Prevention,
Pesticides and Toxic Substance updated members about the 1996
Food Quality Protection Act and the history behind recent problems
with Starlink corn.
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In the House Ag Committee hearing room, IALF class members
visited with Illinois Senators and Representatives and
their staff during a special mixer hosted by Cargill. |
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| Pam Henderson visits with Doug
Childers and another representative from Cargill during the evening
mixer. |
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Making our way to the Chilean
Embassy, we were greeted by Keith Eischeid, agriculture
department director and diplomat Roberto Araos, first secretary of
economics, who briefed us on the 500 Chilean agricultural and
forestry products that go to approximately 140 markets.
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| Matt Hughes introduces Keith Eischeid, from the Chilean Embassy. |
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Chairs: Doug Childers, Matt Hughes
& Scott Johnson
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Day | Next Day
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