ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US — Constance Cullman, president and chief executive officer of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), has been reappointed to serve on the US Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service’s Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) for Trade. The APAC advises the secretary of agriculture and the US Trade Representative (USTR) on US trade policies, including new and existing trade agreements.
“It has been an honor to serve on the APAC for the last four years on behalf of the total US feed and pet food industry, and I welcome this opportunity for continued engagement,” Cullman said. “Last year, our industry exported $13.4 billion in animal food products, and we expect that number to grow with science- and evidence-based trade rules and standards that foster innovation in the marketplace and the removal of restrictive trade barriers.
“Our international customers have told us that the US animal food industry’s products and manufacturing systems are recognized as best-in-class, and we aim to continue delivering on that promise across food and agriculture systems worldwide.”
The APAC is one of seven advisory committees established by Congress in 1974 to ensure that US agricultural trade policy objectives reflect US public- and private-sector commercial and economic interests. The USDA and USTR manage the committees.
Gina Tumbarello, senior director of global strategies, policy and trade at the AFIA, also serves on the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds.
Cullman, who has been president and CEO of the AFIA since 2019, will serve on the committee until 2028.