The American Soybean Association (ASA) and other ag organizations earlier this week urged Vice President-elect Mike Pence to quickly fill the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) vacancies with individuals well versed in agriculture commodity markets and issues.

In a letter, industry groups pointed to the opportunity of President-elect Donald Trump to make nominations for the vacancies existing since 2014-15.

“As you know, with the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC has taken on much more responsibility for overseeing financial markets than in the past. This has led to a makeup of the Commission that largely reflects backgrounds and experience in the financial sector,” the letter states. “Historically, however, there have always been Commissioners who understood agricultural futures markets, as well as the policy issues that impact the agricultural sector.”

The groups said the industry appreciates the efforts of the sitting commissioners to learn the industry, but representation is vital for the ag futures markets.

“We respectfully request that President-Elect Trump, with the consent of the U.S. Senate, ensures the CFTC has at least one Commissioner with a background in, and familiarity with, issues important to production agriculture and agribusiness. We appreciate your consideration,” the group states in the letter.

Click here to read the letter.