In mid-January 2021, Food Export–Northeast Seafood Program Coordinator, Colleen Coyne, was named to the US Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Animals and Animal Products. Members of this committee are appointed to share their technical expertise and guidance from their particular product sectors.
Colleen Coyne is one of 67 new appointees added to the seven different trade committees and will specifically provide advice through the Animals and Animal Products Committee through 2025. She was ultimately chosen for the role because of her 30+ year expertise and in-depth knowledge of issues faced by Northeast U.S. seafood harvesters and exporters, her experience opening and growing export markets for northeast seafood products, and her training as a marine biologist. Details about this announcement can be found by in a USDA press release
“Colleen’s support for the US fish and shellfish industry, in-depth knowledge of seafood export efforts, and overall industry expertise made her a strong candidate for ATAC appointment. We feel that her capability in addressing complex scientific issues affecting trade policy for US seafood is unmatched and look forward to seeing how this appointment helps the industry as a whole,” said Tim Hamilton, Executive Director for Food Export–Northeast.
Food Export–Northeast leaders have a history of working closely with government partners to ensure Northeast US seafood suppliers have a voice in market access issues. For example, in 2020 Food Export–Northeast provided input to the newly created Seafood Trade Task Force: a federal interagency body created by Presidential Executive Order to develop a strategy that provides the US seafood industry with fair and reciprocal trade opportunities in foreign markets. Colleen Coyne’s appointment to ATAC is another step forward in the ongoing, important work being done on behalf of regional seafood suppliers.
In addition to Colleen’s appointment to the ATAC Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products, Food Export Executive Director, Tim Hamilton, has been serving on the ATAC Committee for Trade in Processed Foods since March 2008.
To learn more about Food Export–Northeast’s work to support Northeast US seafood suppliers, please visit the Food Export–Northeast website.
With its extensive programs and educational offerings, Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export–Northeast) is recognized as the preeminent expert and cost-effective resource for Northeast seafood and agricultural suppliers looking to sell their products overseas. Founded in 1973, Food Export–Northeast is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with its 10 member states’ agricultural promotion agencies from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, to facilitate trade between suppliers and worldwide importers and to promote the export of food, agricultural and seafood products from those states. Since its founding, the organization has helped Northeast seafood suppliers gain access to a broad range of export markets, supported overseas in-market educational and promotional programs and offers emerging suppliers access to funds to help grow their export business. The organization is funded through the Market Access Program (MAP), administered by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
Learn more about us and what we do for the Northeast seafood industry here. Contact us.