King bill would double overseas marketing of agricultural exports

Courtesy / Office of U.S. Sen. Angus King U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, has teamed up with two U.S. Senate colleagues to introduce the Expanding Agricultural Products Act. King, right, is shown here with a member of the South Bristol Fisherman's Co-op.

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By Renee Cordes

Federal funding to market U.S. agricultural products overseas- including Maine blueberries and lobsters - would be doubled under a bipartisan bill being introduced today by U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and two colleagues.

Maine's independent senator is teaming up with U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Tina Smith, D-Minn., to introduce the Expanding Agricultural Exports Act. U.S. Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, are co-sponsors.

The measure would increase U.S. agricultural exports by an estimated $7.4 billion, by doubling funding for the advertising programs of agricultural goods in foreign countries, according to a press release from King's office.

If the bill is passed, it would double already authorized funding levels for the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Program to $400 million and $69 million, respectively.

“Whether it’s Maine blueberries or Iowa pork, people around the world have fallen in love with the unbeatable taste and quality of America’s agricultural products,” King said. “The Expanding Agricultural Exports Act will open new markets for these delicious American products, create opportunities for hard-working farming communities, and support thousands of jobs across the country."

The Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs have opened new markets for small businesses such as Ready Seafood, a Portland-based lobster company. Program funds are used to reimburse agricultural organizations for a portion of the cost of carrying out overseas marketing and promotional activities, such as consumer promotions.

"With a relatively modest boost in marketing, the bill will spur significant private investment and create billions in resulting sales," King said. "That’s the definition of a common-sense deal, and one that I’m glad is already receiving bipartisan support.”

King, a former governor of Maine, has been a longtime advocate for Maine and America’s agriculture industry. He’s worked to support Maine’s lobster fishery, wild blueberry industry and potato farmers. He has also co-sponsored bipartisan legislation to combat the unfair practice of mislabeling of non-dairy products using dairy names.