The Obama administration this week announced the appointment of 148 private-sector members to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs).
William Roenigk, NCC’s senior vice president, was named to the Animals and Animal Products ATAC. Among others named to the Animals and Animal Products ATAC are Elizabeth Krushinskie, Mountaire Farms; Mark Lobstein, USA Poultry & Egg Export Council; and Duane Lawrence Rhodes, Tyson Foods, Inc. Ann Grappin, Yum! Restaurants and Rebecca Rasdall, ConAgra Foods, Inc., were named to the Processed Foods ATAC. James Sumner, president of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, was named to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee.
Congress established the advisory committee system in 1974 to ensure a private-sector voice in establishing agricultural trade policy objectives to reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) jointly manage the committees. The APAC provides advice and information to the Agriculture Secretary and the U.S. Trade Representative on negotiating objectives, positions, and other matters related to U.S. agricultural trade policy. The ATACs offer technical advice and information on specific commodities.
“Agricultural exports are a critical component of America’s economy, and the input and advice these individuals will provide in the coming years will be indispensable in helping to identify and capitalize on new and emerging trade opportunities,” U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in the September 8 news release announcing the appointments.
The initial group of committee members will serve until June 9, 2015, USDA and USTR said in their joint news release, and will be supplemented by additional appointments over the next four years.
