Foreign Market Development

Date: 7/07
Position Number: I-B-3
Expires: 3/08

Background: Effective foreign market development programs for corn and corn product exports involving the cooperator program through the U.S. Grains Council (USGC), USA Poultry and Egg Export Council (USAPEEC), and U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) should be financed supported by funding from state checkoff programs and federal dollars through the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). These market development programs should be conducted to maximize efficiency and coordination between NCGA and USGC through efforts to expand the industrial uses of corn and corn products.

USMEF, USAPEEC, and other cooperator organizations should be encouraged to expand overseas markets, thereby increasing demand for domestic corn.

Resolution/Position:

1. Support USGC, USAPEEC, and USMEF to develop and expand international markets.
2. Support level funding authorization in Title III of the 2007 farm bill for both the Market Access Program funding cap and the Market Development Cooperator Program funding level.
3. Support effective foreign economic development programs that enhance the competitive advantage of U.S. corn and corn products.
4. Support use of GSM-102 as a commercial export credit guarantee program for corn, corn co-products, livestock and poultry products without limitations to the type or amount of commodities purchased.
5. Facilitate the export of corn co-products and value-added grains from producer owned and controlled businesses by helping these groups participate in market development programs.
6. Encourage USDA to promote, support, and expand the facilities guarantee program throughout the world to develop infrastructure that facilitates U.S. agricultural exports.