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May 09, 2013
In a letter to House and Senate Agriculture Committee leadership this week, ASA and multiple fellow agricultural groups in support of the creation of an Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Citing the importance of trade to the agriculture industry, the groups pointed to areas in which USDA could modernize its approach to agricultural trade issues.
"An Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs will provide a singular focus on trade and foster more effective coordination of transparent, rules-based trade policies in other USDA agencies," wrote the groups. "Such a position will bring unified high level representation to key trade negotiations with senior, foreign officials and within the Executive Branch. It will also allow future administrations to recruit an Under Secretary who has extensive experience in international trade negotiation and policy issues. Furthermore, the creation of this Under Secretary position would help streamline management, create greater efficiencies and enhance emphasis in the Office of the Under Secretary responsible for key domestic programs."
