NORTH DAKOTA – North Dakota Senator John Hoeven says he continues to work on addressing the high cost of farming and losses, and that work includes crafting the right kind of trade deals to jumpstart the markets.
“We need better trade terms so we can export, but we need sales now,” Hoeven told The Flag on Thursday. “It’s a tough time for our guys.”
In particular, as corn and soybean farmers suffer losses and seek new markets, Hoeven says he’s had ongoing discussions with the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Treasury Secretary saying it’s an “absolute priority.”
“I’ve gotten [producers] emergency assistance in the past, and that may be necessary again,” said Hoeven. “We’re going to continue to do that and whatever else is needed.”
The farming industry has also expressed concern about initiatives from the Department of Health and Human Services.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Junior, who has spearheaded the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement, has challenged conventional agriculture and ultra-processed foods as threats to public health.
RFK Junior has also encouraged regenerative farming and increased regulations on chemical use and food additives.
Hoeven says he’s met with RFK Jr. directly and agrees that initial ideas were “counterproductive” to farming, but since then, HHS has been “more aware of what’s required for the kind of agriculture we need in the country.”
“I’m going to continue to work on it to make darn sure that as they move forward with MAHA [Make America Healthy Again] that they are working in a way that works for our farmers and ranchers,” said Hoeven.
