USDA fills ag trade advisory committees

USDA fills ag trade advisory committees    The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Thursday announced the appointment of 148 private-sector members to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs).
   “Members of these seven committees understand the importance of open markets to the U.S. economy,’ said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a statement. ‘By serving on these committees, they have the opportunity to provide their expertise and knowledge to deliberations that influence U.S. trade policy, ultimately helping to grow, innovate and out-compete the rest of the world.”
   Congress established the advisory committee system in 1974 to ensure a private-sector voice in establishing U.S. agricultural trade policy objectives to reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. USDA and USTR jointly manage the committees.
   The APAC provides advice and information to the USDA and USTR on negotiating objectives, positions and other matters related to the development, implementation and administration of U.S. agricultural trade policy. The ATACs offer technical advice and information on specific commodities. The six ATACs are:
   ‘ Animals and animal products.
   ‘ Fruits and vegetables.
   ‘ Grains, feed, oilseeds and planting seeds.
   ‘ Processed foods.
   ‘ Sweeteners and sweetener products.
   ‘ Tobacco, cotton and peanuts.
   This initial group of committee members will serve until June 9, 2015. They will be supplemented by additional appointments over the next four years, USDA said. Applications are encouraged at any time and will be reviewed periodically for additional appointments going forward. Information about applying is available here.