Trade & Market Access
NCFC seeks a level playing field for U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace. Market development and promotion programs are vital to maintaining and expanding U.S. agricultural exports, countering subsidized foreign competition, protecting American jobs and strengthening farm income. Accordingly, NCFC supports strong market development and promotion programs in pursuit of increased agricultural exports and the farm-level benefits they generate.
Market Promotion & Development
Over the past decade, resources for both FAS and APHIS have come under significant pressure due to budget issues. This pressure has come at a time when competition in key foreign markets has only increased. These resources, including personnel and infrastructure, are extremely valuable in ensuring that overseas markets remain open and efficient for U.S. agricultural exports.
NCFC recognizes the benefits of multilateral negotiations. However, in the absence of an active multilateral round of trade negotiations, the U.S. should continue to engage in bilateral and regional negotiations to improve foreign market access for U.S. agricultural products.
Market development and promotion is vital to maintaining and expanding U.S. agricultural exports. Programs such as the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, both administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service, help achieve this goal while at the same time protecting American jobs and strengthening farm income.
Policy Resolutions
- The U.S. trade remedy law process should be strictly adhered to maintain it as a viable tool for American agriculture.
- Any renegotiation or modernization of existing trade agreements should maintain and expand upon previous gains in agricultural market access, while also making improvements to trade rules.
- Support the negotiation of new, comprehensive free trade agreements that are beneficial to U.S. farmers and address tariffs, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and other non-tariff trade barriers, including geographic indicators.
- Market Access
- Maintain and expand U.S. agriculture exports and global competitiveness, including substantially improved access to foreign markets.
- Maintain and strengthen USDA Export Programs and funding; and ensure continuation of the branded program and current cooperative eligibility in the Market Access Program.
- Support increased market access for U.S. agriculture exports, including to Cuba.
- Support enhanced resources for USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in support of U.S. agriculture exports.
