The USDA and the U.S. trade representative’s office are accepting applications for new members to serve on agricultural trade advisory committees.
Members of the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee provide advice to the administration on the implementation and enforcement of existing U.S. trade agreements, negotiation of new agreements, and other trade policy matters, according to a news release.
Members of the six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees, or ATACs, provide technical advice and recommendations on international trade issues that affect specific agricultural commodity sectors. The ATACs focus on trade in:
- Animals and animal products.
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Grains, feed, oilseeds and planting seeds.
- Processed foods.
- Sweeteners and sweetener products.
- Tobacco, cotton, peanuts and hemp.
Applicants must have expertise in U.S. agriculture and experience in international trade to be considered for committee membership, the release said. Committee members serve four-year terms and represent a cross-section of U.S. food and agricultural stakeholders. Committee members must be U.S. citizens, qualify for a security clearance and be willing to serve without compensation for time, travel or expenses. The committees hold frequent video or teleconference calls and generally meet in Washington, D.C., twice a year.
Application instructions are available through the USDA online. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Sept. 20, 2024.
In support of the administration’s priority to improve equity and representation across the federal government, USDA and the trade representative’s office intend for the advisory committees to be broadly representative of agricultural sectors and groups with expertise and experience in agricultural trade and policy issues, according to the release.
