Costa introduces legislation to boost market export access for U.S. growers

California Democrat Rep. Jim Costa has introduced legislation with bipartisan support that seeks to increase funding for export promotion efforts for U.S. growers.

Costa, a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and chair of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture, introduced H.R. 9244 — Supporting Market Access to Reinvigorate Trade (SMART) Act of 2022, according to the release. The bill seeks to expand programs to develop new business opportunities for American agriculture goods, the release said.

“Opening and growing new markets for American-made products is critical to building our agricultural economy,” Costa said in the release. “Food is a global security issue, and we must do all we can to reverse disruptions in trade and grow new partnerships that help deliver American products around the world.” 

The SMART Act would double the amount of funding to at least $400 million per fiscal year for the Market Access Program and at least $69 million per fiscal year for the Foreign Market Development Program, according to the release. The increase in funding would ensure American products are promoted in primary and secondary markets, providing access to new markets for farmers seeking to export products, the release said.

Robert Guenther, chief public policy officer for the International Fresh Produce Association, said the group appreciates Costa’s introduction of the legislation to enhance export opportunities for agriculture.  

"The SMART Act will help the fresh produce industry open new market opportunities and expand others," Guenther said. "We strongly support this legislation."

This bill has six original co-sponsors, including U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta, D-Calif.; Cindy Axne D-Iowa; Dan Newhouse, R-Wash.; Kim Schrier, D-Wash.; Tracey Mann, R-Kan.; and Ashely Hinson, R-Iowa.

"The Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program have proven to help local farmers and growers in my district bring their top-quality products, including apples, cherries, and wheat to customers around the world, unlocking economic opportunity on a global scale for local businesses of the 8th District,” Schrier said in the release. “I'm proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation that increases funding for these programs to help the agriculture community facing the challenges of rising costs, supply chain issues, and low crop yields.”