News

CREAATE Act would support foreign ag trade programs

The American Soybean Association (ASA) strongly supports legislation that would double funding for two programs they say help make U.S. ag products priorities to other countries.

John Heisdorffer, an Iowa farmer and ASA vice president, says the CREAATE Act looks to expand the reach of the Market Access (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) programs.

“This was ASA’s idea early on (as) we first started trying to double it this spring.  We’re running way behind other countries in these programs.  They’re great programs, and it’s a good partnership with USDA.  But we’re only running about one-third compared to other countries.”

CREAATE stands for Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports.

The bill has been introduced in the Senate by Iowa’s Joni Ernst and Indiana’s Joe Donnelly.

Heisdorffer tells Brownfield MAP and FMD are programs the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) leverages around the world.

“USSEC doesn’t sell beans, but makes U.S. soybeans a priority to other countries.  And if we had double that money, we could be out there pushing harder with people on the ground getting more trade.”

He says a version of the CREAATE Act has also been introduced in the House that mirrors the Senate bill, and Heisdorffer encourages both chambers to move the legislation forward as quickly as possible.