USDA secretary Sonny Perdue greets Pope Francis with FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue has been on a whirlwind trip around Europe for the past several days, starting with meetings in London before taking part in the G-7 ministerial, taking part in World Food Day in Rome and meeting Pope Francis yesterday, and concluding his trip today in Madrid.

“It’s been a very productive trip,” said Perdue during a media conference call this morning. “We’ve had …very frank and direct discussions about some of the restrictions the EU has placed.”

Listen to his opening statement here: USDA Secretary Perdue from Europe

On the call, Perdue answered reporters’ questions about issues such as the this morning’s announced rollback of Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rules, European trade, and NAFTA. Secretary Perdue answers reporter questions