WASHINGTON — The US Senate announced on Dec. 21 the confirmation of Alexis Taylor as the undersecretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the US Department of Agriculture.

The Biden Administration nominated Taylor for the position in May. She previously served as deputy undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services during the Obama administration and recently worked as the director of Oregon’s agriculture department.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott said Taylor’s background will allow her to be effective in the new role. 

 "Her previous experience on Capitol Hill working for members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, along with her time as deputy undersecretary 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 US agriculture across the globe in her new role as Undersecretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs,” he said.

After writing a letter to Senate leadership earlier in December, food and agriculture groups lauded Taylor’s confirmation.

The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) applauded the completion of Taylor’s nomination. 

“She is the right person at the right time to lead the nation’s focus on strengthening exports, expanding access to new markets and navigating an increasingly unpredictable global economy,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and chief executive officer of NAMI. “We look forward to working with her especially as meat and poultry products are seeing record demand at home and abroad.”

The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) expressed its approval of Taylor’s completed confirmation. 

“USMEF thanks the US Senate for its confirmation of Alexis Taylor, who will be a tremendous asset to USDA and a champion for US agriculture,” said Dan Halstrom, president and chief executive officer of USMEF. “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.”