Source:Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 9/21/17



U.S. Senators Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), Angus King (I-Maine), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would increase funding to USDA’s export promotion programs. 

The bill comes at a time when the meat and poultry industries have become increasingly dependent on exports.

Called the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act, the bill announced this week by the lawmakers would double funding over five years for two of the USDA’s export promotion programs, the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD).

The programs contribute to the efforts of such meat industry promotion groups as the U.S. Meat Export Council (USMEF) and USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC).

"As American farmers and ranchers are struggling with historically low commodity prices, maintaining and strengthening U.S. trade relationships around the world is critical to the survival and profitability of the agricultural community,” said Ernst, a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. “The Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program have proven to be effective in expanding foreign markets for American agricultural goods.”

MAP allows agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, non-profit trade groups and small businesses to apply for either generic or brand-specific promotion funds to support exporting efforts. Generic commodity funds are issues with a 10 percent minimum matching fund, while brand-specific funds require a dollar for dollar match.

FMD is largely used for the promotion of bulk commodities, helping agricultural trade associations establish a permanent presence in important markets. It also includes a matching fund requirement.

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