Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is in Brussels today starting a week-long trip to Europe to meet with European agricultural and trade officials and other industry stakeholders. In addition to Brussels, Vilsack will visit with officials in Luxembourg, Paris, and Dublin.

While overseas, Vilsack will discuss the expansion of agricultural trade, the importance of agriculture’s role in the U.S.-European Union (EU) Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP), and the benefits the trade agreement will have to both the American and European economies.

During a brief conference call with reporters this morning, the secretary said he had just concluded a working lunch with 28 agricultural ministers and representatives from the EU. “It was important for me to express to all the members states my belief that we have much in common in terms of agriculture,” said Vilsack. “Our farmers are faced with the same concerns and opportunities as European farmers are.”

Regarding T-TIP, Vilsack says agriculture must be a significant part of the negotiations. “I was very candid with my colleagues that absent a real strong commitment to agriculture in this trade agreement, it will be very difficult for Congress to get the votes necessary to pass T-TIP,” he said.

Listen to or download Vilsack’s call here: Vilsack press call from Brussels