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Grassley, Boozman say trade programs need a boost

Senate Republicans say the 2023 Farm Bill could help solve some trade issues that are facing the ag industry.

Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee, John Boozman of Arkansas, says the farm bill presents a prime opportunity to strengthen market development programs.

“Our trading partners are disappointed,” Boozman said. “If you go to Asia or if you go to different places, they want these deals and they want to diversify. We just haven’t had the leadership.”

Speaking to Brownfield at a farm bill roundtable event on Wednesday, Iowa’s Chuck Grassley said trade programs need more funding.

“The foreign marketing service appropriation has not been increased the way it should be to keep up so that we can promote our products overseas,” Grassley said.

Boozman says producers need more free trade agreements, but no new deals have been signed or are under negotiation.