MAP, FMD Legislative Update
Published: Jul 16, 2012
Late last week, the U.S. House of Representatives’ Agriculture Committee approved the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act by a vote of 35 to 11. The legislation would authorize annual funding through 2017 of $200 million for the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) and $34.5 million for the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program. These are the same levels approved by the Senate last month in its version of the Farm Bill.
While it is uncertain when the bill will be considered by the full House, it remains very likely that amendments to either reduce or eliminate funding for MAP and FMD will be offered. It is understood that Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) was considering similar amendments last month during House Appropriations Committee markup of the FY 13 Agriculture Appropriations bill.
As debate on the legislation continues, it remains extremely important for members of both houses of Congress to be reminded of the job-creation benefits provided through the MAP and FMD programs in addition to the return on investment that these programs provide in a highly competitive global marketplace.
Talking points on the Market Access Program can be read online.
While it is uncertain when the bill will be considered by the full House, it remains very likely that amendments to either reduce or eliminate funding for MAP and FMD will be offered. It is understood that Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) was considering similar amendments last month during House Appropriations Committee markup of the FY 13 Agriculture Appropriations bill.
As debate on the legislation continues, it remains extremely important for members of both houses of Congress to be reminded of the job-creation benefits provided through the MAP and FMD programs in addition to the return on investment that these programs provide in a highly competitive global marketplace.
Talking points on the Market Access Program can be read online.