BEEF INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES NAMED TO AGRICULTURE/FOOD TRADE ADVISORY COMMITTEES

WASHINGTON (September 19, 2001) - Dana Hauck, a cattle producer from Delphos, Kan., and co-chairman of the beef industry US/Mexico Cross Border Working Group, has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the United States Trade Representative's (USTR) Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade (APAC). In addition, Chuck Lambert, chief economist for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), has been appointed to the USDA and USTR Animals and Animal Products Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade (ATAC).

"I am pleased that USDA Secretary Veneman and Ambassador Zoellick chose to appoint Mr. Hauck and Dr. Lambert to serve in these advisory roles," said Chandler Keys, vice president public policy, NCBA. "As representatives of the largest segment of American agriculture, they will work to advance trade issues and contribute to the future success of the industry."

APAC was created by Congress as part of the Trade Act of 1974. The committee is charged with recommending objectives and options to the Secretary of Agriculture and the Trade Representative concerning United States trade policy.

“Chuck Lambert and Dana Hauck are well qualified for these appointments,” said Keys. Hauck served on ATAC during the Clinton Administration, is past chairman of the NCBA International Markets Committee and a member of the U.S. Meat Export Federation Board of Directors. Lambert graduated from Kansas State University with a B.S. in Animal Science, received an M.S. in Animal Science with a minor in Agricultural Economics and holds a Ph.D. in Economics with specialty areas in agricultural policy and international trade.

Lambert will provide information and advice as the United States enters into new trade agreements and Hauck will offer detailed technical advice and information on the beef industry. APAC members also advise the Secretary and the Ambassador on the operation and administration of existing trade agreements.

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Producer-directed and consumer-focused, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association is the trade association of America’s cattle farmers and ranchers, and the marketing organization for the largest segment of the nation’s food and fiber industry.