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Dairy leader says ag export program funding needs to double

The U.S. Dairy Export Council is encouraging Congress to significantly expand support of trade programs in the next farm bill.

During a recent House Ag Subcommittee hearing, President and CEO Krysta Harden testified while the industry has become more dependent on trade, USDA funding of the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program has remained stagnant.

“Given their critical missions and their impressive results, USDEC urges Congress to double MAP and FMD funding in the next farm bill,” she says.

She says every dollar invested in the programs returns more than $20 in export revenues.

Harden encouraged the increased use of dairy ingredients in nutrition assistance programs and new trade provisions.

“We recommend language to combat the EU’s abuse of geographic indications—legislation that can ensure USTR and USDA more proactively can defend common use names,” she says.

She’d also like for lawmakers to establish a timeframe to confirm open trade appointments and develop policies to advance market access while enforcing current trade agreements.

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