By:
Chuck Woods (352) 392-1773 x 281Source(s):
John VanSickle jjvansickle@ifas.ufl.edu, 352-392-1881 ext. 221
NAPLES, Fla.—The competitiveness of Southern agriculture in global markets will be one of the key topics discussed Dec. 3-4 at the Third International Agricultural Trade and Policy Conference in Naples, Fla. The conference is expected to attract agricultural producers and industry leaders from across the nation.
“With new and existing trade agreements drastically changing the competitive outlook for producers, agriculture in the southern United States is clearly at a crossroads,” said John VanSickle, a professor with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, which is hosting the conference at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club.
“Growers are also being asked to cope with more state and federal regulations that have a major impact on their ability to compete in world markets,” VanSickle said. “It is critical that these producers have the most up-to-date information for managing their production and marketing programs.”
VanSickle, a professor in UF’s food and resource economics department and conference chair, said the program will allow producers to learn about future changes in trade agreements and regulations. The meeting also will help them develop a dialogue with policy-makers and influence the outcome of pending legislation.
“The conference, which will include a number of high-profile speakers from academic and public policy areas, will provide information for developing new legislation and international trade agreements,” VanSickle said.
Topics to be discussed at the seven major conference sessions include: invasive pest management and international trade; trade agreements and specialty crop issues; agriculture and the Florida Everglades; risk management for specialty crops; competitiveness and agricultural labor markets; situation and outlook for southeast agriculture; and policy perspectives.
UF Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources Mike Martin will deliver the keynote address Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam, representing Florida’s 12th Congressional District, is the invited speaker for the Wednesday luncheon. Charles Bronson, commissioner of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, will speak at the Wednesday dinner.
Other speakers include David Zilberman, a professor in the agricultural and resource economics department at the University of California, Berkeley, who will talk about controlling invasive species. Timothy Josling, a professor and senior fellow at the Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, Stanford, Ca., will provide an academic perspective on current trade negotiations. Andy LaVigne, president of Florida Citrus Mutual, Lakeland, will give the industry perspective on current trade negotiations.
Pamela Mac’Kie, deputy executive director, land and west coast resources, South Florida Water Management District, West Palm Beach, will discuss water resource management in the midst of urban growth, agriculture and Everglades restoration. Larry Beasley from A. Duda & Sons, Oviedo, will talk about competing in a global market in a sensitive agricultural land area. Keith Collins, chief economist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., will talk about government initiatives to help growers manage price and production risk. C. Robert Taylor, a professor of agricultural economics at Auburn University, will discuss market concentration and current U.S. policy.
Terry McCoy, director of Latin American Studies at UF, will provide perspectives on the Miami Ministerial for the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations. VanSickle, who also directs UF’s International Agricultural Trade and Agricultural Policy Center in the food and resource economics department, will provide an update on COOL (county of origin labeling) legislation.
The regular registration fee is $150, and the fee for students, state extension specialists and agents is $50. The conference is at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. North, Naples, Fla. 34102. To receive the special room rate of $110 per night, reservations must be made prior to Nov. 13. After that date, the special rate and/or rooms may not be available. Please call 1-800-237-7600 for reservations and state that you are an IATPC participant.
For conference registration information, contact Sharon Borneman, conference coordinator, at 352-392-5930 or email her at spborneman@ifas.ufl.edu. The conference Web site is: http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/atpc
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