17 



I guess my first question would be — and this is a little unfair be- 

 cause you haven't had your statement yet. 



The Chairman. I would hope that the gentleman would withhold 

 his questions. 



Mr. Roberts. I think you see where I am headed. There are two 

 chemicals on rice, five on wheat, five on corn, five on cotton, et 

 cetera, et cetera. What happens when those particular chemicals 

 are listed in this fashion could be very counterproductive. 



I am saying that we will work with you and hopefully we will 

 have a partnership effort with EPA so that this kind of action 

 wouldn't be necessary in the future. 



With that, welcome back, Mike. [Laughter.] 



Secretary Espy. Thank you, Pat. 



The Chairman. You didn't have to unload the whole wagon. 

 [Laughter.] 



This is the first appearance of our colleague. We want him back. 



Mr. Roberts. Mr. Secretary, I have a whole bunch of wagons. 

 That was just the first. [Laughter.] 



The Chairman. Mr. Secretary, as I stated before, we welcome 

 you back in your new position. We look forward to working with 

 you. 



We know that your tenure thus far has been of such short a 

 period that you may not be able to address many of the questions 

 that we have in mind, but there will be other days and other hear- 

 ings. 



For now, we welcome you here for your initial statement as the 

 new Secretary of Agriculture. 



STATEMENT OF MIKE ESPY, SECRETARY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF 

 AGRICULTURE, ACCOMPANIED BY KEITH COLLINS, ACTING AS- 

 SISTANT SECRETARY, ECONOMICS; RON BLACKLEY, CHIEF OF 

 STAFF; JOE O'MARA, ACTING UNDER SECRETARY, INTERNA- 

 TIONAL AFFAIRS AND COMMODITY PROGRAMS; AND ROBIN 

 RORAPAUGH, ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY, CONGRESSION- 

 AL RELATIONS 



Secretary Espy. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity of 

 being here as your second guest on the first hearing of this new 

 congressional session. I appreciate the warm words and I accept 

 the challenge both you and Mr. Roberts have outlined. 



I want to let you know that these challenges are community 

 challenges. The USDA does not operate in a vacuum. As a member 

 of this committee for the last 6 years, a committee in which I cut 

 my teeth in agricultural policy, I remember very clearly that this 

 was not a highly partisan committee. Yes, we had our problems 

 over the range of commodities, but not over the range of parties. 



I would like to extend my hand to you and to Mr. Roberts and to 

 each and every member of this committee to tell you that when it 

 comes to regulations," policies, and practices I will be working with 

 you, talking with you, consulting with you as we undertake the 

 broad range of responsibilities that we have. 



Mr. Chairman, I have a long statement here. It is submitted in 

 writing. It is about 12 or 13 pages with all of the appendages apper- 



