Calls for changes in current farm laws as well as the increasing strength of trade protectionists are accelerating this year's national policy debate. The future of trade liberalization is in question after the disappointing outcome of the Seattle WTO meeting last year.
Controversy continues to swirl around the role of biotechnology in food and agriculture.
Changes in the food industry and agribusiness sector are occurring at an unprecedented rate, and industries are quickly evolving to meet the needs of the consumer of the future. The upcoming election is increasing the political rhetoric and will have enormous policy implications. The conference will examine the far-reaching implications of all these forces, as well as explore the new Washington political setting, and will feature senior administration and industry officials giving frank assessments of what may lie ahead. In addition, senior SCI officials will present an in-depth briefing on the modern food sector, providing a realistic picture of 21st century US agriculture. The SCI conference will feature senior administration and industry officials including Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, Deputy US Trade Representative Susan Esserman, new President of the American Farm Bureau Federation Bob Stallman, Hudson Institute's Director of the Center for Global Food Issues Dennis Avery, and CNN political analyst Charlie Cook.