Kasey Moctezuma of Quality Assurance International (QAI), a leading organic certification organization, has been appointed to serve on the USDA’s Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Processed Foods. Moctezuma will join other leaders in lending her expertise in international trade policy and organic certification.
USDA Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Processed Foods
As a representative of the private sector, the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Processed Foods advises the U.S. Trade Representative and Secretary of Agriculture on agricultural trade policy, which is important as processed food is one of the fastest growing segments of U.S. agricultural trade. The technical experience of its members represents a cross-section of the U.S. processed food industry.
Technical Expertise
Moctezuma’s technical experience in trade policy and organics will benefit a committee with members primarily from the conventional food sector. As part of the committee, she will have the opportunity to provide guidance on trade policy issues related to the organic industry.
Moctezuma has worked at QAI since 2005. During that time, she served on the board of directors of the Conseil des Appellations Agroalimentaires du Québec (CAAQ), a former Quebec accreditation body now part of the Conseil des appellations reservées et des termes valorisants (CARTV). She currently serves on CARTV’s board of directors as a certification representative reviewing and updating policy.
Prior to QAI, Moctezuma worked for the International Trade Policy program at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. She also interned with the Department of Commerce office in Budapest, Hungary, where she managed the standards and statistics sections of the Country Commercial Guide for Hungary.
Moctezuma earned a master's degree in international trade policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and a bachelor's degree in French and international studies from California State University, East Bay. She is a contributing author of Consistent Incorporation of Professional Terminologies into the World's Languages: The Linguistic Engine of a Global Culture.
“I am honored to have been selected as a member of the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Processed Foods and look forward to advising the Secretary of Agriculture and the Office of the United States Trade Representative on agricultural trade policy issues,” said Moctezuma.
The Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Processed Foods is one of six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees. The others include: Animals and Animal Products; Fruits and Vegetables; Grains, Feed, Oilseeds and Planting Seeds; Sweeteners and Sweetener Products; and Tobacco, Cotton and Peanuts.
"With U.S. agricultural exports reaching record highs as our farmers and ranchers bring the American brand to more of the world consumers, agricultural trade is demonstrating once again its vital role in the health of our nation’s economy," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "Members of these committees understand the importance of open markets to the U.S. economy. By serving on these committees, they have the opportunity to provide their expertise and knowledge to deliberations that influence U.S. trade policy, ultimately helping to grow, innovate and out-compete the rest of the world."
Posted By: Ashley Nicole
