The United States Secretary of Agriculture remains the last department head to be named by President-Elect Donald Trump.
This is concerning the agriculture industry on both sides of the border.
Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler says the issue was discussed this past weekend at a meeting of provincial and US state legislators held in Louisiana.
"There was a bit of frustration, to be honest," he commented. "I think this is the first time in US history that the Secretary of Agriculture has not been appointed before New Year's. Previous administrations have appointed before Christmas. We drafted as a group, the State Agricultural Leaders Group (SARL), a letter to President-Elect Trump requesting that he act immediately in order to ensure that we have someone with an agricultural background."
Eichler said the candidate should also have connections to rural communities.
He's expecting an announcement to be made in the coming days.
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