The American Feed Industry Association today expressed its support of President Barack Obama’s nomination of Dr. Isi A. Siddiqui to be the country’s next chief agricultural negotiator in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
The role of the chief agricultural negotiator is of great importance to AFIA members and others in the total feed industry given the significance of international trade to modern agriculture.
“The AFIA team has worked with Dr. Siddiqui on a range of issues over the years, and we always have found him intelligent, knowledgeable and professional,” said Joel G. Newman, AFIA president and CEO. “The president has made an excellent choice in nominating Dr. Siddiqui as he has an exceptional grounding in agricultural issues and matters of trade.”
Siddiqui, a prominent agricultural scientist, is the vice president for science and regulatory affairs at CropLife America. He previously was employed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture for 28 years, and he served the Clinton administration in various roles related to agriculture.
AFIA earlier this month joined a group of organizations in sending a letter urging the White House to not delay any longer the nomination of an individual with expertise in agriculture to the position of chief agricultural negotiator.