Trade Advisory Committees: Applying for Membership

A complete nomination package should contain:

  • Form AD-755 (Advisory Committee Membership Background Information) (1.37 MB)

  • A resume or statement of qualifications.

  • A cover letter detailing :
    • Applicant's international trade expertise and qualifications to represent the specified industry sector;

    • Which of the seven committees the applicant is applying for;

    • Whether the applicant is to represent an entity or corporation with ten percent or greater non-U.S. ownership; and

    • Whether the applicant is a federally-registered lobbyist.

Pursuant to the guidance published by the Office of Management and Budget on August 13, 2014, federally registered lobbyists may not serve on an advisory committee in their individual capacity. However, they may serve in a representative capacity, meaning that they are specifically appointed to represent the interests of a non-governmental entity or organization or a state or local government.

​Should the applicant be seeking to represent the views of a specific organization (i.e., employer), a sponsor letter is required. It must be on the letterhead of the organization and describe how international trade affects the organization and why the applicant should be considered for membership.

Please send an electronic copy of the complete nomination package to:  ATACs@usda.gov

If sending an electronic copy is not possible, the nomination package may be mailed to:

Office of the Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Attention: Trade Advisory Committees
1400 Independence Ave., S.W.
Room 200-A
Washington, DC 20250-1070

Questions  regarding applications should be directed to ATACs@usda.gov or (202) 868-7059.

More details about the application and nomination process are available at: Notice of Re-Chartering and Continuation of Requests for Nominations for the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committees