The U.S. Senate has confirmed Dudley Hoskins as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Pet Food Institute (PFI) welcomed the confirmation. PFI has participated in USDA export promotion programs since 1993.
"PFI looks forward to working with Under Secretary Hoskins to ensure safe pet food and treats for cats and dogs in the 94 million U.S. households that own a pet, and pets around the world," said Dana Brooks, PFI's president and CEO. "With U.S. pet food exports reaching over $2.5 billion in 2024, the Under Secretary's confirmation comes at a pivotal time of global expansion of the U.S. pet food industry, and we're eager to work with him through USDA's Market Access Program (MAP) and its Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program to continue promoting U.S. pet food promotion in key foreign markets."
PFI participates in MAP, which supports global promotion of U.S. agricultural goods. The organization uses USDA grant funds for marketing activities across 18 countries to promote U.S. pet food safety and quality, with products shipped to over 90 countries.
U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) said, "I'm appreciative of Dudley's guidance and counsel during his service on the Senate Agriculture Committee. He's been a trusted member of the team since my time in committee leadership and I'm particularly proud he's agreed to serve as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. I'm confident he will continue to serve at USDA with the same dedication."
