Primary Purpose of Group: To exchange information, network, coordinate, develop and implement policy education programs for the Southern US, and nationally through the National Public Policy Education Committee, with a primary underlying goal to provide objective information in an alternatives-consequences mode.

Summary of Accomplishments: SEPAC members have jointly and cooperatively developed and conducted significant programs in international trade, food safety policy, risk management and related policies, animal confinement policy, rural development policy, tobacco policy and environmental policy. SEPAC often takes a leadership role in developing programs that are national in scope and/or are adopted by other regions.

Current/Recent Major Projects: SEPAC completed the "Emerging Environmental Issues in the South" project with a publication this summer (2000). The International Trade Task Force (joint w/SEFMC & SEMC) updated a risk management series and published results of a farm organization preference survey. Through coordination w/2 regions, risk education programs were conducted and federal funding was obtained to conduct further education. A new project was initiated, "Structural Issues Shaping Modern Agriculture," with a workshop seminar at the June 2000 meetings in Williamsburg. Editing of papers is under way, with a planned publication date of Fall-Winter 2000. SEPAC is a co-planner and developer of educational programs for the 2002 farm bill, projects including a by-state, national survey of producer preferences on farm policy, and a series of papers on farm bill alternatives.

Future Plans: The seminar proceedings and presentation material for "Structural Issues" will be published soon. The International Trade Task Force is coordinating with other groups to develop education materials for FTAA next year. SEPAC will develop "Southern Issues for the Next Farm Bill" and assist w/program development based on the farm preference survey and 2002 farm bill series.

Primary Discipline(s) Which Participate: Agricultural Economics

Other Disciplines Which Participate: Entomology, Animal Science, others

States Represented at Meetings (Last 2 Years): AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, OK, TN, TX, VA

Leadership:
Joe Outlaw, Texas, Chair (1999-2000)
Dave Mulkey, Florida, Vice Chair (1999-2000)
James Pease, Virginia, Secretary (1999-2000)
John Robinson, NPPEC rep 1999-2001
Larry D. Sanders, NPPEC rep 2000-2002

Note Regarding Advisor: Ray Humbred, Tennessee, Advisor

Meetings: Annual meetings held jointly w/SEFMC & SEMC; June 2000 meeting in Williamsburg; June 2001 meeting date/loc tba.

Report Prepared By: Larry D. Sanders, outgoing Chair, Oklahoma State University, Aug 2000