The European Union’s Executive Commission is proposing that Valdis Dombrovskis take over for Phil Hogan as their chief ag trade negotiator. That’s following Hogan’s resignation. The E.U. Parliament has yet to approve Dombrovskis appointment. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Vice President of International Trade and Market Access Kent (back-us) Bacus says that change in leadership won’t impact trade discussions much.

He says the U.S. and the E.U. are still at odds over trade being determined by science-based decisions.

Bacus says for the U.S. and the E.U. to move forward on a free trade agreement, the E.U. needs to not only adopt science-based data but get rid of its protectionist stance on many important agricultural innovations and practices.

Dombrovskis is a vice President with the E.U. from Latvia while Hogan who resigned is from Ireland.