Ag Secretary Rollins visits Italy during trade delegation

ROME — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Rome during a recent trade delegation to advocate for American market access.

“This trade delegation to Italy has been essential to ensure we are putting U.S. farmers first on the world stage and expanding market access for the bounty of American agriculture,” Rollins said.

“It was a privilege to represent American farmers and ranchers in discussions with Italy’s Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida and other key agricultural stakeholders.

“Our farmers and ranchers produce the safest, highest quality food in the world, and I look forward to giving consumers in Italy and across the EU more of a taste of the agricultural exports America has to offer.”

Lollobrigida gave Rollins a guided tour of the National Historical Library of Agriculture. She was also the guest of honor at a dinner, where she met more than 50 Italian officials and stakeholders.

Currently, American agricultural products account for only $1.7 billion of Italy’s $80 billion agricultural market.

“Dialogue with the United States represents a strategic pillar of Italy’s foreign agricultural policy,” Lollobrigida said.

“Today, more than ever, there is a stronger awareness of the historic moment we are living through — one that compels us to strengthen our countries’ economies, which are rooted in shared values.

“Those who want to replace the United States as a partner are wrong. There is goodwill on our part and theirs to find a solution that will enable the European and U.S. economies to grow.”