Farming Near and Far — Understanding More About EU-US Agri-Food Relationships
By Susan Hess
Food and agriculture form significant parts of the EU-US trade relationship, with trade nearly doubling in the past 15 years. To learn more about the issues facing the farming community in the USA and to raise awareness about the EU agri/food sector and about the EU agricultural policy, the Delegation of the European Union hosted a booth at the IDEAg Trade Show during the 2017 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) convention in Phoenix, Arizona, January 6–11.
With a booth situated just inside the doors of the exposition hall, hundreds of farmers and ranchers, and their families stopped by to talk with agricultural attachés from France, Ireland, The Netherlands, and the European Union Delegation during the three-day show. Visitors ranged in age from 3 to 73 and hailed from all over the United States and Canada. Agricultural attachés welcomed the visitors with conversation about general familiarity with Europe and discussions ended up covering a range of topics from manufacturing small tractors for export to manure management in small farming communities.
Jesus Zorrilla, Minister Counselor of Agriculture for the EU Delegation, enjoyed showing visitors the map of EU agriculture. In general, visitors showed good knowledge of the EU Member States. Others left the booth a bit more informed about the significance of agriculture to TransAtlantic trade, and how the EU is increasing investments in rural development and developing policies that link farm subsidies to sustainable farming practices.
“We came here to learn more about what is important to farmers in the US, noting the relevance of trade, labor issues and regulations,” Zorrilla said.
During the conference, Zorrilla met with American Farm Bureau Foundation President Zippy Duvall, Senior Director Dave Salmonsen, and several state AFB Delegates.
Inside the expo hall, attendees said they appreciated the EU giving the conference an international perspective. “Trade between our countries is so important,” one man said as he stopped by to thank the EU for being there. “We need everyone here to better understand the role the EU plays in our agriculture.”
A Farm Bureau voting delegate from Iowa, Karen Seipold, who had participated in an agricultural exchange in Germany stopped by several times to talk and ask questions. “I learned so much. The differences and the similarities are so interesting,” she said, looking forward to going to Europe again. And she was not the only one. Several other attendees who had either hosted Europeans or visited Europe in exchange programs stopped in to share their perspectives.
There were quite a few young people at the convention, as well. Future Farmers of America (FFA) was well represented from various states, especially Arizona, with young citizens eager to learn about agriculture in the EU and the variety of goods produced in specific countries and regions.
While upwards of 700 people visited the EU booth to take away tote bags, pins, pens, and chocolates, the most important thing they left with was a better understanding and appreciation of the important relationships between the United States and the European Union.
