WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 8, 2022) – The Pet Food Institute (PFI) commends U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Cindy Axne (D-IA), Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Kim Schrier (D-WA) for introducing H.R. 9244 – Supporting Market Access to Reinvigorate Trade Act of 2022 or the SMART Act. If enacted, this legislation would double the amount of funding to at least $400 million each year for USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and at least $69 million each year for the Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program. These programs are critical for our nation’s farmers as they work to expand global market access for U.S. produced agricultural exports, including pet food.
PFI also applauds U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Tina Smith (D-MN), who introduced their version of this legislation in late September, S. 4941 – Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports Act of 2022” or the CREAATE Act.
“U.S. agricultural products feed the world and their pets,” said PFI President and CEO Dana Brooks. “Unfortunately, significant investments into U.S. export promotion programs have waned over the past several years and the United States has fallen behind their foreign competition. It’s crucial that we now reinvest in these important export programs. We urge Congress to pass this important legislation to help our farmers and ranchers stay competitive in the global market.”
This legislation is supported by several agricultural organizations and the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports. Please visit the Coalition’s website for more information about the importance of U.S. exports and the continued economic growth of our country.