ASTA Members Head to Capitol Hill to Advocate for Key Trade Programs in the Farm Bill

  • On February 28, 2018

On February 27, a group of ASTA members led by ASTA’s International Executive Committee met with Senate and House staff to discuss the importance of Farm Bill programs that promote trade. Authorized in the Farm Bill, the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program are critical to ASTA’s efforts to open new markets for seed, to resolve regulatory barriers to seed imports and to facilitate cooperation with like-minded countries on global trade issues.

ASTA members met with 44 offices of Senate and House Agriculture Committee members to explain how ASTA has utilized and matched government funds for programs in countries like Chile, China and Brazil. ASTA members have provided in-kind matching funds valued at 1,200% of the government’s investment. Congressional debate on the Farm Bill is expected to begin this spring.