Newhouse introduces bill to increase promotion money in export markets
Feb. 7—YAKIMA — Additional funding could be available to promote farm products from Washington and throughout the nation under the terms of a bill introduced by Fourth District Congressman Dan Newhouse on Thursday.
The "Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2025" has bipartisan co-sponsors from other parts of the country, including Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, California and Maine.
"Farmers in Central Washington and across the country rely on strong access to foreign markets and my bipartisan legislation expands these export opportunities. By delivering our agricultural products into new markets, we can ensure that American farmers remain competitive on the global stage," Newhouse said in a press release announcing the bill's introduction.
The bill would increase funding for the Market Access Program, which provides funding for overseas promotion for generic or brand-specific ag products, and Foreign Market Development Program, which promotes bulk commodities and helps agriculture trade associations establish permanent promotion programs in important overseas markets.
The bill would cover the years 2025 to 2029, and would double funding for some programs, from $200 million to $400 million, and from $255 million to $489.5 million for others. Newhouse advocated expansion and additional funding in testimony before the House in 2022.
"Trade continues to be critical for American farmers and ranchers, and American agricultural products are a key part of the global food supply," Newhouse said in his testimony. "(Legislation) must ensure that agricultural exports are prioritized in market promotion."
Jennie Strong of the Washington Apple Commission said in an earlier interview with the Columbia Basin Herald that producers must make sure consumers around the world don't forget about their products.
"Other producers are filling the demand in our export markets, and it's hard to get that space back. It's important to remain on the forefront in the minds of retailers, importers and consumers," she said.
Co-sponsor Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-California) said other countries are increasing their promotion programs, and it's important for the US to follow suit.
Newhouse cited the European Union as an example.
"The European Union's spending for the promotion of wine exceeded the total budget of MAP and FMD in 2017," the press release said.
Representative Tracey Mann (R-Kansas), another co-sponsor, said Congress should invest taxpayer money in ways that provide a return, and the MAP and FMD programs are examples of that.
Funding for the Market Access Program has remained static since 2006 and for the Foreign Market Development Program since 2002, according to the bill.
The MAP program requires at least a 10% minimum match from participants in its generic promotion programs. Participants in the MAP brand-specific programs must provide at least a 50% match. The FMD also requires a match from participants.
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