Three Representing USA Rice Appointed to Federal Trade Advisory Committees

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai appointed Arkansas rice miller Mark Holt and USA Rice Director of International Trade Policy Karah Janevicius to the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATAC) for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds.  USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann was named to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC).

The ATACs and APAC provide technical advice and guidance from the perspective of their specific product sectors, and consist of a select group of trade experts who provide advice and information to the government on the administration of trade policy, including enforcement of existing trade agreements and negotiating objectives for new trade agreements.

“We are appreciative of the recognition by Ambassador Tai and Secretary Vilsack, and glad to see USA Rice and the industry overall grow its representation on these critical federal advisory committees,” said Bachmann.  “While there hasn’t been much in terms of market access opportunities in trade negotiations in recent years, we are hopeful that with support from the agriculture sector, rice and other commodities will see some progress in 2025 and 2026, particularly when it comes to negotiations with the UK toward a free trade agreement.”

Holt serves as executive vice president at Western Foods, a Woodland, California-based company with a rice mill in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he focuses on packaged rice sales both domestically and internationally.  Additionally, Holt serves as chair of the USA Rice Europe, Africa, Middle East Trade Promotion Subcommittee, and often represents the industry at international promotional events.

Janevicius’ entire portfolio is centered around international trade policy, and prior to joining USA Rice in January 2024, she had roles at both the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office of Agricultural Affairs.

Bachmann served on the grain-related ATAC for the last four years before his appointment to the broader APAC.  Arkansas rice farmer Dow Brantley served two four-year terms on the APAC until stepping down last summer.

Besides the APAC, and the ATAC for Trade in Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds, there are five other sector-specific ATACs.  In addition to Holt and Janevicius, California rice farmer Michael Rue also has a seat on the ATAC through summer 2027.

Holt, Janevicius, and Bachmann will serve in their current appointments until summer of 2028.