Dr. Islam Siddiqui has been nominated by President Obama to be the “chief agricultural negotiator for the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.” Dr. Siddiqui is the vice president for science and regulatory affairs at a lobby group for crop protection called CropLife.As the Wisconsin Ag Connection reports, “Sections of the U.S. agribusiness community welcomed Obama’s nomination.” Don Butler, president of the National Pork Producers Council, offered support while pointing out the trade needs of pork, particularly with Russia and China.
For their part the American Farm Bureau Federation, which has worked with Siddiqui before, stated, ‘“We look forward to continue working with Dr. Siddiqui to expand trade for U.S. farm products across the globe,’ The AFBF said in a statement. ‘He brings to the position important scientific expertise and valuable experience in trade, biotechnology and regulatory issues vital to the interest of America's farmers and ranchers.”’
The work is not new to Dr. Siddiqui. Previously Siddiqui worked under the Clinton administration with U.S. Department of Agriculture on trade negotiations. Dr. Siddiqui also worked for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
To read the Wisconsin Ag Connection story on Dr. Siddiqui click here.
Posted: 09/29/09
