On its last day, Senate confirms Esteban as nation’s 6th Under Secretary for Food Safety

It took a minimum of two months longer than it ought to have, however the Senate has lastly confirmed, by voice vote, Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban as USDA’s Beneath Secretary for Meals Security.

Esteban was confirmed on the Senate final day of enterprise earlier than the 177th Congress expires.

The motion drew fast reward from CEO Ted McKinney on the Nationwide Affiliation of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). He siaid:

“Dr. Esteban is a exceptional scientist, and even perhaps extra essential, he’s an distinctive communicator in relation to serving to others perceive the science behind our meals. The U.S. Division of Agriculture wants educated and skilled leaders on the helm like Dr. Esteban to navigate our meals system’s present challenges and implement bipartisan options. We thank the U.S. Senate for confirming Dr. Esteban and for seeing the strengths he brings to the agriculture and meals trade.”

NASDA additionally authored a letter of assist for Dr. Esteban previous to his affirmation.

Esteban takes over the nation’s highest meals security place after serving as chief science officer for USDA’s Meals Security and Inspection Service (FSIS).

President Biden nominated Esteban because the nation’s sixth Beneath Secretary for Meals Security at USDA on Nov. 15, 2021. The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Diet and Forestry was assigned to evaluate the nomination, but it surely didn’t give Esteban a listening to till Sept. 27, 2022,

Esteban’s nomination was reported favourably out of the Committee on Sept. 27, 2022. It was then positioned on the Senate Govt Calendar, that means it was prepared for a vote by the total Senate on any day since then. The Senate didn’t take it up till late Dec. 22.

The workplace was vacant whereas ready for President Biden’s choice for the Senate to behave.

Along with his predecessor, Mindy Brashears, 4 others have held the workplace: Dr. Elisabeth Hagen from August 2010-December 2013; Dr. Richard Allen Raymond from July 2003-January 2009; Elsa A. Murano from October 2001 -December 2004; and Catherine Woteki from July 1997-January 2001.

Esteban has labored in a number of roles on the USDA’s Meals Security and Inspection Service (FSIS). Since 2018, he has held the place of chief scientist on the FSIS. Esteban has labored with the company since 2001.

Earlier than becoming a member of the USDA, Esteban labored on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention as an epidemic intelligence service officer, employees epidemiologist, and assistant director of the meals security workplace.

He serves because the chair of the Codex Alimentarius Fee Committee on Meals Hygiene. This committee helps outline meals hygiene requirements for worldwide commerce. Esteban additionally works as vp of the Worldwide Affiliation for Meals Safety.

Dr. Esteban educated as a veterinarian in Mexico. He holds an MBA, a grasp’s diploma in Preventive Veterinary Medication, and a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from the College of California-Davis.

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