The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is very pleased to announce that Acti...

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is very pleased to announce that Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner will speak on the future of U.S. red meat exports at USMEF’s upcoming Global Outlook Symposium Oct. 29 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Conner, who was appointed by President George Bush on Sept. 20, was the Special Assistant to the President for Agricultural Trade and Food Assistance on the National Economic Council during Bush’s first term in office and had served as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture since the beginning of Bush’s second term.

Conner’s remarks will follow presentations by speakers from USDA and USMEF, who will discuss the situation and outlook for global red meat trade, including an assessment of the primary factors driving exports and imports over the next three years. USMEF directors from its offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Mexico City and Brussels will present their assessments of the the opportunities and challenges facing U.S. red meat exports to the markets in their regions. There will be a question and answer session following the presentation of prepared remarks.

The Global Outlook Symposium will be held in conjunction with the annual USMEF Strategic Planning Conference where beef and pork producers and exporters will review and approve USMEF’s market development strategies for 2009. USMEF members also will elect officers and sector representatives during this conference.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, lamb, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

– USMEF –

[Editors Note:  Media interested in attending the four-hour symposium may gain access by presenting their press credentials to USMEF officials at the Omni Shoreham Hotel at 2500 Calvert St. NW, Washington, D.C.on Oct. 29.]