Wichita — Kansas Agriculture Secretary Adrian Polansky said Monday he was "looking forward to new leadership" with the resignation of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman.
"Hopefully, this will be an opportunity for an appointment to USDA of an individual that understands the Plains and Midwest agriculture," Polansky said. "That would be very beneficial to Kansas."
Polansky has long been an outspoken critic of the Agriculture Department -- most notably its slow progress on a national animal identification program after the discovery of mad cow disease in the United States.
Kansas, like many other states, is beginning its own animal ID program out of frustration with the pace of enactment of a national animal ID program.
Veneman's successor will face challenges not only in dealing with the World Trade Organization but also opening export markets closed after the mad cow case, Polansky said.
Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, issued a statement calling Veneman a "tireless advocate" for producers who will be missed.
"Her legacy will be the food security of the United States due to her untiring efforts to place agroterrorism as a priority within our national security system and her ability to maintain confidence in our food supply through sound science and knowledge during times of difficult challenge," Roberts said.
Steve Baccus, president of the Kansas Farm Bureau, said President Bush did an excellent job selecting Veneman, and he was confident Bush would find a good successor for her.
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