Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 2/2/18

Sen. Jeff Flake has released his hold on Gregg Doud, the Trump administration's pick to serve as chief agricultural negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, after an almost three-month hold on his nomination. Flake's extended hold was in response to his opposition to a controversial proposal related to seasonal produce that the U.S. put on the table for NAFTA 2.0, Pro Trade's Megan Cassella reports . Flake said he lifted the hold after receiving written commitment from Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch that his concerns would be addressed.

"Given the importance of U.S. agriculture and what's at stake for them in the NAFTA negotiations, I am pleased that this nomination can move forward," Flake said in a statement. "While certainly there are areas in the NAFTA agreement ripe for modernization, adding ill-advised seasonal or regional components to existing trade remedies would lead to needless trade restrictions, devastating economic consequences, and likely retaliation."

Refresher on the proposal: The suggested plan would make it easier for American growers to argue that Mexico is selling produce at unfairly low prices when certain crops are in season in a particular region. It was largely a product of Florida and Georgia growers' interests, but has been a sore spot for growers in Western states, who worry it would allow Mexico to make similar demands for certain ag products affected by U.S. competition - namely apples. However, it hasn't been much of a talking point in the latest NAFTA rounds.

The lowdown on Doud: Doud is a native Kansan and president of the Commodity Markets Council, a trade group for commodity future exchanges. He is also well-versed on Capitol Hill, having worked as a senior professional staff member on the Senate Agriculture Committee for Sens. Pat Roberts and Thad Cochran. Before his Senate Ag days, Doug worked as chief economist for National Cattlemen's Beef Association for eight years. 

Industry rejoices: National Cattlemen's Beef Association celebrated Flake's decision as "great news" for aggies. The beef industry group has openly criticized Flake's hold, calling it "irresponsible" in "missing person" flyers with a photo of Doud that were distributed at the sixth round of NAFTA negotiations last week. 

"With talks continuing on NAFTA, the Korea-US trade agreement, and access to many other markets still up in the air, it's imperative that the U.S. Senate now move as quickly as possible to confirm Doud's nomination," NCBA president Craig Uden said. 

Roberts is jazzed, too: "I'm pleased that assurances have been given and there seems to be a clear path for Gregg Doud to be confirmed as chief agricultural negotiator," Roberts said in a statement to MA. "Our farmers and ranchers have gone far too long without a voice at the trade table during these uncertain times. The Senate needs to move as quickly as possible to get Trade Ambassador Lighthizer a full team."