"A coalition of advocacy groups launched a campaign [Tuesday] opposing President Obama's choice of a pesticide industry official to represent U.S. interests in agricultural trade negotiations.

The 85 groups -- including Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, the Organic Consumers Association, the National Family Farm Coalition and dozens of state farm worker groups -- sent a letter today to the Senate Finance Committee opposing the nomination ahead of a scheduled confirmation hearing [Wednesday] for Islam Siddiqui.

Obama tapped Siddiqui last month to be the chief agriculture negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative."

Allison Winter reports for Greenwire November 3, 2009. [2]