(WASHINGTON D.C.)- On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alexis Taylor to serve as USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs. It is a long awaited confirmation for folks in the agriculture industry. This is a developing story.
Below is industry reaction to the news of Taylor’s confirmation:
Comments from U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom (AUDIO)
Wheat Industry Applauds U.S. Senate Confirmation of Alexis Taylor
ARLINGTON, Virginia — The National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates welcomes the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Alexis Taylor to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs. Earlier today, the Senate confirmed Taylor by a voice vote.
“NAWG applauds the confirmation of Alexis Taylor to this key role, and I personally congratulate her for this historic appointment,” said NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “I have worked with Alexis for over 15 years, and I know the agriculture industry will benefit immensely from her expertise. She is a widely recognized leader on agriculture policy and has the domestic and international experience to help navigate U.S. agriculture through growing global changes and help expand markets for U.S. agricultural products. We appreciate the Senate’s bipartisan support of Alexis and look forward to working with her.”
“Global markets for food and agricultural products like milling wheat are growing, so finally having Ms. Taylor in this position will help re-establish the United States as a leading export market participant,” said USW President Vince Peterson. “After serving as Agriculture Director in Oregon she understands just how important it is to maintain a strong promotional effort in export markets. We look forward to working with her to build overseas markets for U.S. wheat.”
The Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs mission area plays a crucial role in developing and implementing USDA’s trade policy, oversees and facilitates foreign market access, and promotion opportunities for U.S. agriculture. The wheat industry looks forward to working with Alexis Taylor to advocate for U.S. wheat farmers and American agriculture.
NCGA Praises Approval of Alexis Taylor as Undersecretary for Trade and U.S. Agricultural Affairs
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) applauded the U.S. Senate for approving the nomination of Alexis Taylor today as undersecretary for trade and U.S. agricultural affairs at USDA.
“This is an exciting development,” said NCGA Vice President of public policy Brooke S. Appleton. “Getting Alexis’s confirmation through the Senate has been one of our top priorities, as she is someone with a deep understanding of agricultural issues and is widely respected by policymakers on both sides of the aisle. Approval of this nomination comes at a pivotal time for us as we work to address a pending decree that would block biotech corn imports into Mexico.”
Taylor, who most recently served as the director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, has worked as a policy expert on ag issues for several members of Congress and managed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services.
An Iraq veteran, Taylor grew up in Iowa on her family’s 160-year-old farm.
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Alexis Taylor, USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
The American Sugar Alliance congratulates Alexis Taylor on her Senate confirmation to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
“As Under Secretary, Alexis Taylor brings to USDA unparalleled expertise, deft leadership, and a comprehensive understanding of the issues driving American agriculture and trade,” said Ryan Weston, Chairman of the American Sugar Alliance. “Through her decades of policymaking and legislative experience in agriculture, Under Secretary Taylor has demonstrated that she understands how essential America’s sugar farmers and skilled workers are to maintaining a robust and reliable food supply chain. We are confident that she will ensure our trade policies are fair to, and supportive of, American agriculture.”
State agriculture officials celebrate U.S. Senate confirmation of Taylor for Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
Today, the U.S. Senate confirmed former Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Alexis Taylor for Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney released the following statement regarding her confirmation.
“Alexis will continue to lead U.S. agriculture to further heights in her new role as she advocates for opportunities to extend the reach of American grown products around the world,” McKinney said. “Alexis brings experience, character and a deep understanding of how regulations across the globe matter for individuals in local communities.”
McKinney also thanked the U.S. Senate for confirming Under Secretary Taylor and filling this valuable position. “Alexis’ work as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs is needed now more than ever as increasing trade is an important element to alleviating supply chain challenges and curbing inflation. We know her efforts are sure to have a meaningful impact on consumers and families nationwide.”
In a previous letter of support for Under Secretary Taylor, NASDA CEO Ted McKinney shared that she had served as Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture since 2016. While there, she also devoted her time and attention to expanding market opportunities not only for Oregonians but for farmers and ranchers across the country, and she has been particularly instrumental in developing opportunities for female food and beverage entrepreneurs to reach new markets for their products.
Under Secretary Taylor served on the 2020-2021 NASDA Board of Directors sharpening states’ impact on federal agricultural policy. While a NASDA member, she also served on the NASDA Foundation Board from 2018-2022, developing and discovering new resources for state agriculture departments to better serve constituents.
Senate Confirms Taylor As USDA Undersecretary
The U.S. Grains Council offered this reaction to the Senate’s confirmation of Alexis Taylor as USDA Trade Undersecretary:
The U.S. Grains Council welcomes the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Alexis Taylor to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs.
Alexis has a strong background in agriculture from growing up on a farm in Iowa and also has a deep knowledge of trade issues from her time on Capitol Hill and with USDA in previous roles. We look forward to working with her to promote American agriculture.
Dairy Welcomes Senate Confirmation of Alexis Taylor to Serve as USDA’s Top Trade Official
ARLINGTON, VA – The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) today commended the Senate’s confirmation of Alexis Taylor to the position of USDA’s Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
As the USDA’s top trade official, Taylor will lead a team of negotiators responsible for implementing USDA’s trade policy, accelerating foreign market access, and promoting opportunities for U.S. agriculture. This is an especially important position for America’s dairy farmers, who last year exported over 17% of the milk they produced.
With Taylor’s confirmation today, the Senate sent an unambiguous signal that the interests of the American dairy community will be represented in U.S. trade negotiations.
“We are extremely pleased that the Senate has confirmed Ms. Taylor,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “Her dedication and experience make her the perfect choice to serve American dairy producers and cooperatives’ goals of expanding access to international markets through this crucial role. We look forward to working together in ensuring agricultural export opportunities are included in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and other trade initiatives, in ensuring USMCA is fully and fairly implemented, and in tackling barriers to U.S. dairy exports in markets around the world. ”
Taylor’s confirmation comes during a key time for the U.S. dairy sector. While competitors’ trade agreements and the EU’s aggressive efforts to monopolize common food names pose significant challenges, dairy consumption is growing exponentially in many markets around the world.
“The U.S. dairy industry has an incredible opportunity to meet the rising global demand for sustainably produced dairy products,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “So much of the health of American agriculture and the nation’s dairy community is tied to ensuring that our products can reach consumers around the world. We’re thrilled that Alexis Taylor will help lead this effort and excited to work together to serve the American dairy sector and broader agricultural industry.”
NMPF and USDEC also call on the Senate to quickly confirm Doug McKalip to serve as Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. McKalip has served for decades at the USDA and White House and is a passionate advocate for U.S. agriculture.
“It’s regrettable that filling this important position has been delayed for so long,” lamented Mulhern. “Given the key role of the chief negotiator in advancing U.S. agriculture’s trade agenda, we urge the Senate to confirm Mr. McKalip without further delay.”
IDFA Welcomes the Confirmation of USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor
WASHINGTON, December 21, 2022—Michael Dykes, D.V.M., president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, released the following statement today following U.S. Senate confirmation of Alexis Taylor, a veteran of Capitol Hill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Army, for the long-vacant role of Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at USDA:
“IDFA is elated by the confirmation of Alexis Taylor for Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at USDA. Ms. Taylor’s depth of experience in trade issues in previous senior roles at the Department and recently with the Oregon Department of Agriculture, along with her longstanding commitment to advancing agricultural policy and U.S. exports, make her an ideal fit for the position. She has been a strong supporter of the U.S. dairy industry and we are confident that Ms. Taylor will continue to advance market opportunities for U.S. dairy around the world.”
Chairman David Scott Releases Statement Congratulating Alexis Taylor on Confirmation as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
WASHINGTON – Below is a statement from House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott following the confirmation of Alexis Taylor to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs:
“Whether growing up on her family’s farm, serving her country in the military, or her current role as Director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Alexis Taylor’s life experiences have prepared her well for this position,” said Chairman David Scott.
“Her previous experience on Capitol Hill working for Members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, along with her time as Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, offers her unique insight into international and domestic farm policy and I am confident she will be able to advance U.S. agriculture across the globe in her new role as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Congratulations to Under Secretary Taylor on her confirmation – I look forward to seeing her accomplishments on behalf of our food and agriculture industry,” Chairman David Scott continued.
