08/17/05 Market Access future?

08/17/05 Market Access future?

It was last June that Kent Sisson made his debut before the Northwest pear industry in a new role. SISSON: I'm now the Director of the Horticulture and Tropical Products division in the Foreign Agricultural Service, which is the export arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. And as such, Sisson over looks the Market Access Program for the various Northwest hort marketing and trade groups. SISSON: It's one of the major sources of funding that they have to use overseas to promote their products and build demand. Under the M.A.P. program, (the) Farm Bill has authorized to $200 million dollars this year. These are still subject to appropriations and apportionment by the Office of Management and Budget, but we're hoping we'll get that full $200 million and that will be a nice shot of the arm not only to the pear industry but a lot of the Northwest industries and California fruit and vegetables. At last count, the House approved the full amount of M.A.P. funds for this coming budget year with the Senate still in need to consider 2006 ag appropriations. Sisson says M.A.P. looks good funding wise for at least the next couple of years. SISSON: The Farm Bill again authorized another $200 million for 2007. So after that, there have to be new authorizations in the next Farm Bill, so again it remains to be seen through the appropriations process if we get that full amount.
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