ARLINGTON, VA. — Two leaders representing the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) have been selected to serve on two US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service committees.

Constance Cullman, president and chief executive officer, will join the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC), and Mallory Gaines, manager of market access and trade policy, has been appointed to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Animals and Animal Products.

Cullman and Gaines will remain on these committees until 2024.

Gina Tumbarello, director of international policy and trade for AFIA, has also served on the USDA’s ATAC for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds since 2014.

“Just like many industries, the US animal food manufacturing industry depends on the sale of its products to international markets,” said Scott Druker, AFIA board chair and general manager of Church & Dwight Company’s Arm & Hammer Animal and Food Production division. “By having Constance, Gina and Mallory participating in these various trade advisory committees at USDA, it allows for the animal food industry to have a voice at the table as trade agreement and policy issues are discussed.”

These committees are part of the USDA’s advisory system established in 1974 to incorporate public- and private-sector interests in agricultural trade policy initiatives and objectives. This includes the development of new trade agreements and the management and operation of existing agreements.

Committee members include senior representatives from various agricultural communities in the United States, according to the USDA. These committees are managed by the USDA and the US Trade Representative office.

A total of 25 new committee members were appointed in July 2020.

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.