Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Thursday, March 27, 2008 Introduction and Discussion of the Agenda: -The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by Chair Koo, North Dakota State University. The Chair discussed the agenda, told the group that Dr. Klindt, Administrative Advisor, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, would not be able to attend the business meeting due to prior commitments, and asked members of the group to introduce themselves since there were new members present. Presentation Number 1: -Dr. Parr Rosson, III, Texas A&M University, College Station, introduced Dr. Joe Outlaw, Texas A&M University, who presented an update on the 2008 Farm Bill. Dr. Outlaw discussed farm subsidies, USDA outlays, increased spending on nutrition, conservation, renewable energy, and fruit and vegetables. The committee was recessed by Chair Koo at 10:15 AM. Presentation Number 2: -Chair Koo reconvened the meeting at 10:35 AM. Dr. Rosson, III presented an overview of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). In that presentation, the process and progress and implications of the DDA were discussed. Also the difficult areas of non-ag market access (NAMA), trade in services and rules, and agriculture were discussed. Chair Koo recessed the meeting at 11:40 AM. Presentation Number 3: -The meeting was reconvened at 1:30 PM by Chair Koo when he told the committee that Dr. Lynn Kennedy, Louisiana State University, coauthored with Andrew Schmitz, University of Florida will be making a presentation that deals with production responses to increased imports. Dr. Kennedy discussed, among other issues, the rents accruing to sugar exporters from various supply management schemes, political economy of sugar and the nutritional value of high fructose corn syrup versus sugar cane syrup. New Proposal: -Dr. Rosson, III discussed the new proposal and state commitments. Dr. Rosson, III told committee members that Appendix E of the new project proposal, SDC-331, should be completed on or before April 8, 2008. Dr. Kennedy will send the directions to scientists for completing Appendix E. Date and Location of Fall Business Meeting: The fall business meeting will be held in Charleston, SC. Dr. Lynn Kennedy is responsible for the logistical arrangements for the meeting. The meeting was recessed at 3:00 PM by Chair Koo. State Reports: The committee reconvened at 3:30 PM. This section of the minutes provides an overview of the state reports that were discussed at the S-1016 Spring Business Meeting. Stakeholders who desire more detailed information than that which is presented here should contact the appropriate scientists. Dr. Parr Rosson, III, Texas A&M University revealed that he is focusing on the structure of the dairy industry under various labor scenarios. Also, this researcher is evaluating economic impact of invasive species on the agriculture sector. Drs. Darren Hudson and Albert J. Allen, Mississippi State University reported on several research activities to the group. One of the activities that Dr. Hudson discussed deals the economic impact of invasive species on U.S. agriculture sector. Dr. Allen reported on a recently funded project that deals with ports responses to crisis conditions. Drs. Eric Wailes and Lanier Nalley, University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, provided information on several research projects to the group. Activities that Dr. Wailes discussed included drought tolerance varieties of rice and impact of negotiated tariffs of Western Hemisphere trade agreements CAFTA, NAFTA and bilateral on sensitive specialty crops. Dr. Nalley is estimating how the effects that genetic improvement programs shift supply in trade models and how much stakeholders are willing to pay for various aromatic requirements for domestic use of rice. Dr. Stanley Fletcher, University of Georgia told the group that one of the activities that he is evaluating is the effects of export promotion programs on the market development for peanuts. This project is especially important because the volume U.S. exports of peanuts are down and its market share has declined recently. Also, the impact of adjustable gross income (AGI) on various southern crops is being conducted including peanuts. Dr. David Karemera, South Carolina State University, said that he is working on a project which evaluates the relationship between trade and the environment. Identified factors so far include CO2, potassium, and ground pollution. Also, a labor analysis will be done to evaluate the effects of CO2 on the United States and a state by state basis. Dr. Suzanne Thornsbury, Michigan State University stated that among the activities with which she is working include measuring the impact of trade and trade policy issues on specialty crops in the horticultural markets and fresh apple trade between the United States and China. Also, she is evaluating the impact of climatic change on the long-term investment in corn and its impact on trade. Dr. Henry Thompson, Auburn University, told the group that there are four members including himself that are working on various activities including invasive species, foreign direct investment in Africa, antidumping polices, alcohol consumption in the Caribbean. Also, the Auburn group is looking at the impact of exchange rate volatility on trade balances and markets. Dr. Osei Yeboah, North Carolina A&T University, had several research activities that he reported. The activities included but not limited to bioterrorism, foot and mouth disease, and alternative products for tobacco buyouts for farmers in North Carolina. Also, Dr. Yeboah has received a $300,000.00 Capacity Building Grant for packaging for various food and vegetables. Dr. Lynn Kennedy, Louisiana State University, reported that he is measuring, among other issues, the impact of catfish imports on domestic prices in the United States, impact of ethanol on sugar prices, and impact of the change in CAP on sugar prices and the ACP countries. Also, Dr. Kennedy is measuring the impact of foreign direct investment on trade between the United States and Latin American countries. Dr. Won W. Koo, North Dakota State University divided countries into developed/developing countries to answer the question why is trade in U.S. processed foods declining? Results from the analysis reveal that globalization improve economic development in selected countries. Also, Dr. Koo is conducting research on transportation issues dealing with biomass. Further Dr. Koo handed out a copy of conference that he is spearheading entitled Economics of the Bio-Economy to be held on October 3, 2008. The meeting was recessed at 5:30 PM by Chair Koo. Friday, March 28, 2008: The meeting was reconvened by Chair Koo at 8:30 AM. The group agreed to develop a conference on the impact of new farm bill and WTO-DOHA on southern agriculture at the end of May 2009-June 2009 in Washington, DC. The committee consists of Drs. Rosson, III, Hudson, Thornsbury, Fletcher, and Koo. Also, the group formed an Invited Paper committee to develop a session at the 2009 SAEA meetings headed by Dr. Hudson. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 AM by Chair Koo.