McCain has been criticized as missing in action on agriculture by some.  He never campaigned in Iowa, opposes ethanol in gasoline and opposed the Farm Bill.  

Former USDA Secretary John Block is a McCain surrogate on agriculture.  He re-iterates the candidate's pro-trade agreement positions for agriculture, below the fold.  The materials are taken from Agri-Pulse Communications which is comparing the candidates.

1. New sources of energy: Skyrocketing energy costs have such a big impact on production agriculture and Rural Americans who have to drive long distances. McCain has comprehensive energy plan that includes drilling for new sources of oil,developing alternative fuels, conservation and more.

 2. Enhancing trade: McCain understands that farmers are heavily reliant on exports for farm profitability, says Block. He would maintain existing agreements like NAFTA, as well as expand trade agreements with countries like Colombia. Under a President Obama, Block says some of these trade agreements would be rewritten to please environmentalists and labor interests and might be counter to what farmers want.

3. Repeal of the ‘death tax’: Farmers and ranchers understand how estate taxes can deliver a crippling blow to their future business prospects, says Block, who still owns a farm in Illinois. With land values skyrocketing and the current estate tax exemptions expiring in two more years, Block says this issue will be extremely important.

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