More than 100 agriculture industry groups are calling on lawmakers for full funding of marketing programs under the USDA.
The coalition recently sent letters to the House and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee chairs to advocate for USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program. The coalition asserts support is needed to ensure the viability of agricultural export markets for American products.
“The twin challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as competitors’ export promotion programs, highlight the need for continued investment in these public-private partnerships,” the letter stated.
“MAP/FMD funding is critical to help U.S. farmers, ranchers and food exporters keep pace and to help us make up for lost time after two-and-a-half years of trade conflict and retaliatory tariffs.”
