(NDAgConnection.com) – A coalition of farm organizations sent in a letter to Senate leaders this week asking them to secure the confirmation of key agricultural trade nominees before the end of the year.

Nearly 60 groups signed the memo urging the confirmation of Doug McKalip to serve as chief agricultural negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and Alexis Taylor to serve as undersecretary of agriculture for trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Both nominees were easily advanced on a bipartisan basis by Senate committees earlier this year.

“Despite unanimous support by the committees and widespread and bipartisan support the Senate has yet to confirm these highly skilled candidates. Time is of the essence to confirm these nominees,” stated the Nov. 29 letter sent to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

“American agriculture needs experienced leaders representing us in international negotiations. We urge the U.S. Senate to confirm Doug McKalip and Alexis Taylor by the end of this year and appreciate your assistance with this critical matter.”

The letter also details that 20 percent of American farm revenue comes from exports and that U.S. food and agriculture exports support more than 1 million U.S. jobs.