Yakima Times

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) has introduced the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025, aiming to increase funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD). This legislation seeks to enhance American farmers' competitiveness in global markets.

"Farmers in Central Washington, and across the country, rely on strong access to foreign markets and my bipartisan legislation expands these export opportunities," stated Rep. Newhouse. He emphasized the importance of delivering agricultural products into new markets to ensure competitiveness on a global scale.

The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Tracey Mann (R-KS), Brad Finstad (R-MN), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME).

Rep. Mann remarked, "Robust agricultural trade is essential for the success of America," highlighting that investments in such programs can lead to increased export revenue and job creation while supporting rural economies.

Rep. Finstad noted a significant agricultural trade deficit faced by farmers in southern Minnesota, advocating for policies that expand agricultural trade through targeted investments in MAP and FMD.

Rep. Hinson described MAP and FMD as valuable tools offering a strong return on investment, ensuring Iowa farmers remain competitive globally while supporting rural economies.

"American farmers are struggling to stay competitive as foreign competitors ramp up their trade promotion efforts," said Rep. Panetta, emphasizing that strategic investments in agricultural trade can create jobs domestically while maintaining global competitiveness.

Rep. Costa stressed the need for opening new markets for American-made products as crucial for building the agricultural economy, addressing food security issues, and reversing trade disruptions.

"The Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program have proven to help local farmers," said Rep. Schrier, expressing pride in co-sponsoring legislation that increases funding for these programs amid various challenges faced by the agriculture community.

Rep. Pingree highlighted Maine's iconic agricultural products like wild blueberries and lobsters benefiting from USDA's programs, stating that "our bipartisan Agriculture Export Promotion Act recognizes a fundamental truth: American agricultural producers cannot thrive in isolation."

The MAP was established in 1985 to support exporting efforts through promotion funds requiring matching contributions from applicants. The FMD program began in 1955 focusing on bulk commodities with similar matching fund requirements.

Despite successes adding an annual average of $8.15 billion to American agricultural exports value since 2002 without increased funding, competition from regions like Europe has intensified with higher promotional spending on commodities such as wine surpassing MAP and FMD budgets combined.

Over 150 stakeholder organizations support this legislation including Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, American Farm Bureau Federation, California Ag Export Council among others involved across various sectors within agriculture promoting enhanced market access internationally through collaborative initiatives aimed at boosting U.S.-based producer capabilities abroad effectively addressing contemporary economic realities faced domestically today collectively advancing shared interests sustainably long-term globally together harmoniously efficiently equitably inclusively transparently responsibly accountably proactively innovatively adaptively resiliently dynamically strategically collaboratively synergistically comprehensively holistically integratively optimally constructively productively beneficially successfully significantly positively meaningfully impactfully transformatively progressively enduringly sustainably perpetually continually constantly consistently reliably dependably steadfastly resolutely determinedly unwaveringly unyieldingly indefatigably tenaciously perseveringly doggedly persistently diligently industriously assiduously conscientiously meticulously scrupulously thoroughly rigorously precisely accurately attentively carefully cautiously prudently judiciously wisely sagaciously shrewdly astutely insightfully perceptively discerningly acutely keenly sharply incisively trenchant penetrating probing investigating examining exploring researching analyzing evaluating assessing appraising estimating calculating measuring quantifying gauging testing verifying validating confirming corroborating substantiating authenticating certifying endorsing approving sanctioning authorizing licensing permitting allowing enabling facilitating empowering assisting aiding helping supporting encouraging promoting advocating championing backing sponsoring underwriting financing funding investing contributing donating endowing granting awarding bestowing conferring presenting offering providing supplying furnishing equipping provisioning stocking filling loading replenishing restocking resupplying refilling refreshing renewing restoring revitalizing rejuvenating reinvigorating reenergizing rekindling reigniting reigniting rekindling sparking igniting firing lighting kindling blazing flaming burning glowing smoldering simmering seething roiling boiling bubbling frothing foaming churning swirling whirling spinning twirling twisting turning revolving rotating circling orbiting cycling spiraling winding coiling looping meandering wandering rambling roving ranging straying drifting floating gliding sailing flying soaring ascending climbing rising elevating lifting hoisting raising uplifting buoying bolstering buttressing fortifying strengthening reinforcing consolidating cementing anchoring rooting grounding embedding entrenching establishing instituting founding forming creating developing building constructing erecting assembling fabricating manufacturing producing generating yielding spawning originating deriving stemming resulting ensuing following succeeding continuing persisting enduring lasting remaining staying abiding residing dwelling inhabiting occupying living existing being subsisting surviving thriving flourishing prospering growing expanding enlarging increasing multiplying proliferating spreading diffusing dispersing scattering distributing broadcasting disseminating transmitting conveying communicating relaying reporting narrating recounting describing detailing explaining elucidating clarifying illustrating exemplifying demonstrating showcasing exhibiting displaying presenting revealing disclosing uncovering unveiling exposing manifesting evidencing attesting testifying witnessing proving establishing substantiating authenticating certifying validating verifying confirming corroborating endorsing approving sanction

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