A coalition supporting ag exports is urging Senators to pass legislation to expand the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program.
The Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports and the Agribusiness Coalition for Foreign Market Development say the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports, or CREAATE Act, would boost trade’s impact on U.S. farmer profitability and the U.S. economy.
The bipartisan legislation follows a House version of the bill introduced in May.
The bill would increase statutory funding for the programs, which are now authorized at $200 million per year for MAP and $34.5 million per year for FMD.
The two coalitions say both programs have faced stagnant funding and eroding real dollar impact due to inflation, sequestration, administrative costs and increased global competition.
