Trade Advisory Committees

Applying for Membership
USDA and USTR are  accepting nominations until September 20, 2024, for individuals to serve four-year terms on the agricultural trade advisory committees beginning in January 2025. Click here for more information.

The  advisory committee system was created by the U.S. Congress in 1974  to ensure that U.S. trade policy and trade negotiating objectives adequately reflect U.S. public- and private-sector interests. The Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs) advise the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative about a wide range of agricultural trade issues.

Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) for Trade

The APAC provides advice on the administration of U.S. trade policy, including implementation and enforcement of existing U.S. trade agreements and negotiating objectives for new trade agreements.

Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs)

The ATACs offer technical advice and information about specific agricultural commodities and products.

News and Features

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative are accepting applications for new members to serve on the agricultural trade advisory committees.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai today announced the appointment of 55 members to serve on seven agricultural trade advisory committees.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced appointments to the newly established Seasonal and Perishable Agricultural Products Advisory Committee.