WASHINGTON – The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the US Senate announced the advancement of several positions at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) on Sept. 27.

Swift praise came for Alexis Taylor who was nominated to assume the role of Undersecretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.

The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) shared its support for that nomination. 

“USMEF thanks the Senate Agriculture Committee for advancing the nomination of Alexis Taylor, an outstanding nominee who has strong, bipartisan support on Capitol Hill,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer for USMEF. “USMEF had many opportunities to work with Ms. Taylor in her previous roles at USDA and we are confident she will continue to be a strong and effective voice for US agriculture. We fully support her prompt confirmation by the Senate.”

Taylor, who most recently served as the director of Oregon’s agriculture department, was nominated for this position in May.

The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) also asked for consideration of Taylor and two other candidates that were advanced by the committee including Jose Emilio Esteban to Undersecretary of Agriculture for Food Safety and Doug McKalip, as chief agricultural trade negotiator at the Office of the USTR.

“The meat and poultry industry supports the nominations of Esteban, Taylor and McKalip,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and chief executive officer of NAMI. “Their leadership in food safety and trade is much needed and with strong bipartisan support, they should be considered without further needless delay.”

Esteban was nominated for his position in Nov. 2021. He’s held several roles at the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Since 2018, he has held the position of chief scientist at the FSIS. Esteban has worked with the agency since 2001.

In June 2022, McKalip received his nomination from the Biden Administration. McKalip has worked in federal service for 29 years as an agriculture policy leader and trade expert. Most recently, he served as senior advisor to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.