P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

July 16, 2012

1 Min Read
Agricultural Trade Secretary Position Formed

The House Agriculture Committee, during consideration of the farm bill, adopted an amendment by Congressmen Tom Rooney (R-FL) and Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) that would establish an undersecretary for Foreign Agricultural Services.  This position would provide a singular focus on trade and foster more effective coordination of transparent, rules-based trade policies in other USDA agencies.  The congressmen argued that trade is a critical to the agricultural economy and that there needs to be greater focus and coordination on trade.  The last time USDA’s trade functions were reorganized was in 1978.  At that time, U.S. agriculture exports were $29 billion, compared to $136 billion today.  In 1978, grains and oilseeds amounted to 60% of all U.S. agriculture exports, while produce accounted for 6% and meat and poultry accounted for just 3%.  Today, grains and oilseeds account for 36%, while meat and poultry constitute 15%, and produce 13%.  In the last 30 years, there has also been a shift in the challenges facing U.S. agriculture in the global market.  It has dramatically changed from tariff barriers to phytosanitary and other non-tariff trade barriers.  Twenty-five agricultural groups supported the amendment including the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Meat Association and the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

 

About the Author(s)

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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