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Texas Farm Bureau President Kenneth Dierschke has been appointed by Ag Secretary Mike Johanns and U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts and Planting Seeds.
He is among a number of Farm Bureau leaders and staff among the private sector that have been appointed to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade (APAC) and Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees for Trade (ATACs). Members will serve until May 2007.
The advisory committees were established in 1974 to ensure the private sector has a voice in U.S. commercial and economic interests.
American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman will serve on the APAC for Trade.
Other Farm Bureau appointments include the following:
• New York Farm Bureau President John Lincoln and David Salmonsen, AFBF public policy staff—ATAC for Trade in Animals and Animal Products.
• Ron Gaskill, AFBF public policy staff—ATAC for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables.
• South Carolina Farm Bureau President David Winkles—ATAC for Trade in Grains, Feed and Oilseeds.
• Minnesota Farm Bureau President Al Christopherson— ATAC for Trade in Sweeteners.
• Dierschke, Mary Kay Thatcher and Chris Garza, AFBF public policy staff—ATAC for Trade in Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts and Planting Seeds.
"Expanding market access for America's farmers and ranchers is fundamental to the future economic viability of our agriculture," said Johanns.
"The expertise and unique knowledge provided by our committee members are instrumental in developing effective negotiating objectives, particularly as trade barriers have become farm more complex," he continued." I look forward to the technical, practical and political advice that helps strengthen trade formulation these committee members will offer."
