American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on today’s Senate confirmation of Alexis Taylor as USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural services.
“I’m confident Alexis Taylor will do a great job in this important role at USDA and I’m pleased she was finally confirmed. Her previous experience at USDA, on Capitol Hill and leading a state department of agriculture are solid preparation for what will be a big job.
“Trade is critically important to U.S. agriculture, and we need a strong advocate on the world stage and capable leader for the USDA staff who serve as our eyes and ears around the globe. Alexis will be both. Our team at AFBF looks forward to working with her to pursue new and expanded market opportunities for our agricultural products.
“I urge the Senate to move quickly to confirm Doug McKalip as chief agricultural trade negotiator at USTR, too. It’s critical for U.S. agriculture to be well represented in trade negotiations and dispute resolution discussions, and this vacancy puts us at a disadvantage.”
The American Soybean Association is elated that the Senate has confirmed Alexis Taylor to be USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
Following her nomination in May, Stephen Censky, CEO of ASA, said of Taylor, “Alexis has a depth of knowledge about agricultural trade and public policy, and her background, experience, and network will serve her well in this post. U.S. soy growers look forward to welcoming her back to USDA and working with her on issues facing soybean exports.” We are extremely hopeful President Biden’s other lingering appointee, Doug McKalip, will likewise be confirmed this week during the final lame duck hours.
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.”
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom issued this statement:
USMEF thanks the U.S. Senate for its confirmation of Alexis Taylor, who will be a tremendous asset to USDA and a champion for U.S. agriculture. USMEF had many opportunities to work with Ms. Taylor in her previous roles at USDA and she brings an exceptionally strong background and track record to this key position.
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.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane released a statement following the confirmation of Alexis Taylor as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):
“NCBA congratulates Alexis Taylor on her confirmation as USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. We have worked closely with Ms. Taylor in her previous roles at USDA and on Capitol Hill, and she is a proven advocate for farmers and ranchers. We look forward to partnering with Ms. Taylor to open new markets to American beef and help U.S. cattle producers see even more benefit from trade.”
“The National Association of Wheat Growers 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.”
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) commended the Senate’s confirmation of Alexis Taylor to the position of USDA’s Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
“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. ”
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.
