Newhouse Strengthens Market Access for Farmers in Bipartisan Legislation

February 6, 2025 Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025 to increase funding to the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) and help American farmers compete 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. By delivering our agricultural products into new markets, we can ensure that American farmers remain competitive on the global stage. I want to thank my colleagues and stakeholders who have supported this effort, and I look forward to advancing this important initiative,” said Rep. Newhouse. Newhouse was joined 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) in introducing the legislation. “Robust agricultural trade is essential for the success of America,” said Rep. Mann. “Congress must responsibly invest taxpayer dollars in places where we can see a wise return on those investments. The Agricultural Export Promotion Act strengthens America’s flagship agricultural trade programs, increases American export revenue, adds jobs to the economy, and promotes U.S. agricultural sales overseas while simultaneously supporting rural economies like those in the Big First District. This legislation strengthens the tools in America’s toolbox to get the best deal for our agricultural producers in the international marketplace.” “Farmers in southern Minnesota are called to feed and fuel the world, and yet they face a historic agricultural trade deficit of $45.5 billion for this fiscal year,” said Rep. Finstad. “We must prioritize policies that promote the expansion of agricultural trade, which is why I joined Congressman Newhouse in reintroducing the Agriculture Export Promotion Act. This legislation will make targeted investments to the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program, which will strengthen and establish new markets around the world for our American farmers and producers.” Rep. Hinson said, “The Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program have proven to be valuable tools that help American producers access new export markets while offering a strong return on investment. The Agriculture Export Promotion Act will help ensure that Iowa farmers have greater resources to remain competitive in the global marketplace, improve food security, and support our rural economy.” "American farmers are struggling to stay competitive as foreign competitors ramp up their trade promotion efforts," said Rep. Panetta . “The bipartisan Ag Export Promotion Act will strengthen the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program, giving our farmers the resources they need to reach new markets, grow their businesses, and support local economies.  By making strategic investments in agricultural trade, we can create good-paying jobs at home while keeping American agriculture competitive on the world stage.” “Opening and growing new markets for American-made products is critical to building our agricultural economy,” said Rep. Costa. “Food is a global security issue, and we must do all we can to reverse disruptions in trade and grow new partnerships that help deliver American products around the world.” “The Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program have proven to help local farmers and growers in my district bring their top quality products, including apples, cherries, and wheat, to customers around the world, unlocking economic opportunity on a global scale for Eighth District producers,” said Rep. Schrier . “I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation that increases funding for these programs to help the agriculture community facing the challenges of rising input costs, supply chain issues, extreme weather, unpredictable yields, US price pressures, and now tariffs.” “Wild blueberries, potatoes, and lobsters are some of Maine’s most iconic agricultural products. In an increasingly globalized marketplace, USDA’s Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs have been instrumental in helping our farmers and lobstermen maintain and expand into emerging international markets ,” said Rep. Pingree. “Our bipartisan Agriculture Export Promotion Act recognizes a fundamental truth: American agricultural producers cannot thrive in isolation. By boosting support for these vital programs, our bill will ensure our agricultural producers have the tools to compete, innovate, and reach new markets abroad.” Full bill text here . Background: The Market Access Program (MAP) was established in 1985, and allows agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, non-profit trade groups, and small businesses to apply for either generic or brand-specific promotion funds to support exporting efforts. Generic commodity funds are issues with a 10-percent minimum matching fund, while brand-specific funds require a funding match of at least 50%. The Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) was first developed in 1955 and is largely used for the promotion of bulk commodities, helping agricultural trade associations establish permanent presences in important markets. It also includes a matching fund requirement. USDA export programs like MAP and FDM have added an annual average of $8.15 billion to the value of American agricultural exports, and added up to 239,800 full and part-time jobs, including 90,000 farm sector jobs. Despite these successes, MAP and FMD funding has not increased since the 2002 Farm Bill, even as competitors increase their efforts; for example, the European Union’s spending for the promotion of wine exceeded the total budget of MAP and FMD in 2017. The legislation is supported by over 150 stakeholder organizations including: Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute American Cranberry Growers Association American Farm Bureau Federation American Feed Industry Association American Forest & Paper Association American Hardwood Export Council American Peanut Council American Pistachio Growers American Quarter Horse Association American Seed Trade Association American Sheep Industry Association American Soybean Association APA - The Engineered Wood Association Association Management Services Atlantic Seaboard Wine Association Blue Diamond Growers Bryant Christie California Ag Export Council California Apple Commission California Association of Winegrape Growers California Canning Peach Association California Prune Board California Farm Bureau Federation California Fresh Fruit Association California Grain & Feed Association California Melon Research Board California Olive Commission California Strawberry Commission California Table Grape Commission California Walnut Commission California Wheat Commission Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association Cassidy & Associates Cherry Marketing Institute CoBank Cornerstone Corteva Cranberry Institute Dairylea Cooperative DC Legislative & Regulatory Services Distilled Spirits Council Flordia Citrus Growers Florida Citrus Mutual Florida Citrus Packers Florida Department of Citrus Food Export Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association FL Peanut Producers Association Florida Tomato Exchange Georgia Poultry Federation Ginseng Board of Wisconsin Global Agri Trends Global Food and Nutrition Hardwood Federation Highlands County Citrus Growers Hudson Pecan Company Idaho Grain Producers Association Illinois Corn Growers Association Indian River Citrus League International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) International Trade Associates Kansas Livestock Association Kansas Sorghum Kelley Drye & Warren Kentucky Distillers' Association Kentucky Thoroughbred Association Louisiana Cotton & Grain Association MacFarlane, Ferguson & McMillan Maryland Ag. Associates Michigan Apple Committee Missouri Corn Growers Association Mohair Council USA National Association of State Depts. of Ag National Association of Wheat Growers National Chicken Council National Confectioners National Corn Growers Association National Cotton Council National Council of Farmer Cooperatives National Farmers Union National Grange National Hay Association National Milk Producers Federation National Oilseed Processors Association National Pork Producers Council National Potato Council National Sorghum Producers National Sunflower Association National Turkey Federation Nebraska Corn Board Nebraska Wheat Board Nebraska Sorghum Board New York Apple Association New York Wine & Grape Foundation North American Meat Institute North American Renderers Association Northwest Hort Council Ohio Corn & Wheat Growers Association Oregon Wine Board Oregon Winegrowers Association Organic Trade Association Pear Bureau Northwest Pet Food Institute Produce Marketing Association Pyle & Associates Schramm, Williams & Associates Softwood Export Council South Dakota Association of Cooperatives Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association Southern U.S. Trade Association Sunkist Growers Synergistic Hawaii Ag. Council Texas Cattle Feeders Association Texas Grain Sorghum Producers Texas Pecan Growers Association Texas Quarter Horse Association The Macon Edwards Company The Normandy Group The Popcorn Institute US Apple Association US Apple Export Council US Cattlemen's Association US Dry Bean Council US Dry Bean Council & Pulse Crops US Grains Council U.S. Livestock Genetics Export US Meat Export Federation US Rice Producers Association US Soybean Export Council US Wheat Associates U.S. Peanut Federation USA Poultry & Egg Export Council USA Rice Washington Apple Commission Washington Association of Wheat Growers Washington Grain Commission Washington Hop Commission Washington State Fruit Commission Washington State Potato Commission Washington Wine Growers Washington Wine Institute Watson Green LLC Welch's Western Growers Association Western Sky Strategies Western U.S. Trade Association Wine Institute WineAmerica US Ag. Export Development Council ### Issues : Agriculture