Spots are open on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Two federal departments are accepting applications from members of the ag sector to join an industry committee.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are looking for people to serve on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC).
The APAC is comprised of farmers and representatives from different food and farming organizations.
“We work hard to have diverse membership in each of the committees when we look at the different sectors of agriculture that they’ve worked in, have relationships in, and also covering diverse geographic locations within the United States,” Ken Isley, administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, said in a July interview with the USDA.
The USDA also has technical committees that offer advice and information about specific commodities and products.
The APAC’s role is to engage with federal leaders on trade matters.
The committee will advise and make recommendations “concerning the trade policy of the United States and the matters arising in the administration of such policy,” the group’s charter says.
In addition, the committee advises on negotiating objectives before the U.S. enters into a trade agreement.
Committee members serve four-year terms, hold frequent conference calls and typically meet in Washington, D.C., twice per year.
Farms.com has contacted the USDA and current committee members for details about how the group works and past trade deals it has provided input on.