FARM POLICY: Even before the bans on U.S. beef, prompted by the case of mad cow disease, Americans began importing more food than they export, raising a broad array of trade issues that will drive U.S. farm policy the next four years.

KEY MOMENT: For only the second time in history until then, the United States in 2002 imported more agricultural products than it exported. A $70 million

deficit that year widened to $800 million in 2003, according to the Commerce Department.

OTHER ISSUES: A measure requiring foods in supermarkets be labeled with their countries of origin, new dietary guidelines and updated food pyramid, and a national system for tracking livestock and poultry from birth.