USDA Awards Florida Citrus $373,668 for Export Promotion

  
Agriculture Secretary Ann M.Veneman just announced $10 million in additional funding for export promotions by 65 U.S. trade organizations under the 2002 Market Access Program (MAP). The MAP provides trade associations, state-regional trade groups and agricultural cooperatives a means to promote their products overseas. In June, USDA announced $90 million in funding to trade organizations under the fiscal year 2002 MAP. The additional $10 million for the current year was authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill. The new farm bill also increases MAP funding to $200 million by 2006. MAP is a cost-share program that uses Commodity Credit Corporation funds to support its mission. Applicants compete for funding based on the quality of their applications, past export performance and their willingness to contribute their own resources to the program. Among those receiving some of the extra $10 million allocation were: The Cotton Council ($764,645), Southern United States Trade Association ($537,991), Florida Department of Citrus
($373,668), USA Poultry and Egg Export Council ($178,060), American Peanut Council ($90,869) and the Catfish Institute ($19,997). For more information on the Market Access Program, visit the Foreign Agricultural Services' website at http://www.fas.usda.gov