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Lt. Gov. Judge: Promotes commodities in Europe
6/22/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22, 2009

Contact:

Troy Price, Governor’s Office

(515) 281.0173

troy.price@iowa.gov

LT. GOVERNOR JUDGE PROMOTES IOWA COMMODITIES IN EUROPE

Builds trade opportunities during stops in Hungary, Turkey

HARKANY, HUNGARY – Today, Lt. Governor Patty Judge was one of the keynote speakers to addressed the Conference on Agricultural Solutions and Cooperation, which is comprised of agricultural producers, businesses, and government officials from seven central European nations, Judge spoke about Iowa’s high quality agricultural products, and the successful partnership in Iowa among producers, business, commodity groups, and state government. She also discussed ways in which Iowa can help these emerging markets grow.

“Central and Eastern Europe represent some of the continent’s fastest growing markets,” said the Lt. Governor. "I look forward to sharing with these two nations some of the important work we have done in agriculture, and learning about what steps they are taking to promote the industry. But most importantly, I will visit with leaders about the high-quality commodities we produce in Iowa, and create new opportunities for overseas trade. This will help give our farmers greater security, create new jobs, and grow Iowa’s economy.”

Made up largely of former Soviet bloc countries now belonging to the European Union, the Central European Agricultural market is emerging as they embrace new technologies and modernization in agricultural production.

Judge was joined at today’s conference by Hungarian Agriculture Minister Jozef Graf, and later discussed with the Minister how Iowa can help supply the commodities his country needs to maintain its growth.

Together with the Iowa Soybean Association, of whom the Lt. Governor is a guest on this mission, they are working on expanding the central EU market to Iowa soy products, in particular soybean meal.

On Friday, the Lt. Governor will present at a similar conference in Istanbul, Turkey. The Lt. Governor will once again tout Iowa's superior meats and grains, and encourage those countries from around the Black Seas to purchase commodities from Iowa.

The Lt. Governor is leading a multi-state delegation of commodity groups and agricultural officials, including the Iowa Soybean Association, South Dakota’s Secretary of Agriculture, the State of Minnesota, and the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

NOTE: If interested in speaking with the Lt Governor while overseas, please contact Troy Price at 515.281.0146 or troy.price@iowa.gov.

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