Informa Economics announces 2010 policy conference

Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., will provide the keynote address at the Informa Economics 18th Annual Food and Agriculture Policy Conference, to be held April 22-23 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.
Ambassador Isi Siddiqui, the chief agricultural negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative's office, will also speak at the conference. The event, titled “Beyond the Farm Bill: Agriculture’s New Challenges,” is co-sponsored by Deere & Co., Monsanto and Syngenta.
The conference will focus on the policy concerns and economic prospects for the sector, including renewable fuels policies and the administration’s new anti-trust efforts. The first day will conclude with a panel discussion of farm politics, the Administration’s first year and a look ahead.
Day two will focus on the outlook for agricultural trade, a discussion of future productivity growth, and expectations for new food safety legislation. It will conclude with a special guest speaker sponsored by Monsanto, Jennifer Duffy, editor of the Cook Political Report, who will discuss possible outcomes of the fall elections.
Pre-conference warm up speakers include Informa Economics Executive Vice President Rick Andersen and Informa Senior Vice President Jim Sullivan, who will present the company's latest livestock and grain-oilseed market outlooks.