The U.S. Senate confirmed Douglas J. McKalip to be Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the United States Trade Representative. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) CEO Ted McKinney offered the following statement in regard to his confirmation.

“Throughout his three decades of leadership in critical roles in agriculture trade policy, including his current role as senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, McKalip has represented American farmers, ranchers and agriculture around the world and has fiercely advocated for U.S. agricultural products and technology. We need knowledgeable and experienced leaders like McKalip to navigate the complex international trade and food security challenges our world is facing.

NASDA thanks the U.S. Senate for confirming Douglas J. McKalip as Chief Agricultural Negotiator. State departments of agriculture stand ready to work with McKalip to ensure U.S. agriculture leads the way toward a healthy and resilient world.”

NASDA has strongly supported McKalip’s nomination and has advocated for a swift confirmation.

NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association which represents the elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries and directors of the departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. NASDA enhances American food and agricultural communities through policy, partnerships and public engagement.