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Senate Budget Resolution Maintains MAP Funding Levels

Published: Apr 29, 2010

Senate Budget Resolution Maintains MAP Funding Levels

The Senate Budget Committee last week approved its version of the FY11 budget resolution that does not call for any reductions in mandatory funding for either the Market Access Program (MAP) or the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program.  The Senate resolution (S. Con. Res. 60) was approved by a vote of 12 to 10. 

The resolution also supports the Administration’s National Export Initiative by assuming $259 million in discretionary funding for the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), which would cover the Administration’s proposed increases of $34.5 million for FMD and $9 million for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program. The increases in funding for FMD and TASC are subject to approval by the Appropriations Committees as part of the FY11 Agriculture Appropriations bill.

At this time, it’s uncertain when the Senate will consider S. Con. Res. 60. So far, the House Budget Committee has not set a date for consideration of its version of the legislation. If the budget resolution is not approved by Congress by May 15, the Appropriations Committees can begin consideration of the FY11 Appropriations bills.

Last week, the House Agriculture Committee held the first hearing to review U.S. agriculture policy in preparation for writing the 2012 Farm Bill. The committee has scheduled field hearings around the country beginning this Friday, April 30 in Des Moines, Iowa; May 1 in Nampa, Idaho; May 3 in Fresno, Calif., and May 4 in Cheyenne, Wyo.  Testimony and success stories regarding the importance of MAP and FMD for the United States’ ability to compete and succeed in the international marketplace would be beneficial.

A letter from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack responding to House members’ inquiries regarding the administration’s position on supporting U.S. agriculture exports is attached here.

# # #

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.

For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.

USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.

Senate Budget Resolution Maintains MAP Funding Levels

The Senate Budget Committee last week approved its version of the FY11 budget resolution that does not call for any reductions in mandatory funding for either the Market Access Program (MAP) or the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program.  The Senate resolution (S. Con. Res. 60) was approved by a vote of 12 to 10. 

The resolution also supports the Administration’s National Export Initiative by assuming $259 million in discretionary funding for the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), which would cover the Administration’s proposed increases of $34.5 million for FMD and $9 million for the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program. The increases in funding for FMD and TASC are subject to approval by the Appropriations Committees as part of the FY11 Agriculture Appropriations bill.

At this time, it’s uncertain when the Senate will consider S. Con. Res. 60. So far, the House Budget Committee has not set a date for consideration of its version of the legislation. If the budget resolution is not approved by Congress by May 15, the Appropriations Committees can begin consideration of the FY11 Appropriations bills.

Last week, the House Agriculture Committee held the first hearing to review U.S. agriculture policy in preparation for writing the 2012 Farm Bill. The committee has scheduled field hearings around the country beginning this Friday, April 30 in Des Moines, Iowa; May 1 in Nampa, Idaho; May 3 in Fresno, Calif., and May 4 in Cheyenne, Wyo.  Testimony and success stories regarding the importance of MAP and FMD for the United States’ ability to compete and succeed in the international marketplace would be beneficial.

A letter from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack responding to House members’ inquiries regarding the administration’s position on supporting U.S. agriculture exports is attached here.

# # #

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.

For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.

USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.