The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has announced the reappointment of its President and CEO, Constance Cullman, to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) for Trade. Cullman, who has served on the committee for the past four years, will continue her role advising the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative on trade policies impacting the U.S. feed and pet food industry.
Under Cullman's tenure, the U.S. animal food industry reached an export milestone of $13.4 billion last year, a figure expected to rise as trade regulations evolve to encourage scientific and innovative approaches in the marketplace. Cullman commented on the industry's reputation for high-quality products and manufacturing systems, noting the importance of maintaining these standards globally.
The APAC, established by Congress in 1974, is instrumental in shaping U.S. agricultural trade policies that reflect both public and private sector interests. AFIA’s senior director of global strategies, Gina Tumbarello, also contributes to these efforts through her role on the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds, and Planting Seeds. Together, they work to navigate and influence U.S. trade agreements and remove restrictive trade barriers, promoting growth and innovation in the agricultural sector.
