USDA Accepting Applications for 2012 Export Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced that it continues to accept fiscal year 2012 applications for two export market development programs: the Emerging Markets Program (EMP) and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) program.

EMP funding supports technical assistance for the promotion of U.S. farm products in emerging markets worldwide. TASC helps open, retain and expand markets for U.S. specialty crops. Under TASC, USDA resources are provided to address phytosanitary or related technical restrictions that prohibit or threaten the export of U.S. specialty crops, including all cultivated plants and their products produced in the U.S. except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice, peanuts, sugar and tobacco.

All proposals received by March 12 will be reviewed concurrently by FAS. Proposals received after that date will be reviewed if funds remain.

Applicants are encouraged to apply via the Unified Export Strategy online application system – information is available at www.fas.usda.gov/mos/ues/Unified.asp. Applications can also be emailed to podadmin@fas.usda.gov or hand-delivered to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, Office of Trade Programs; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW; Room 6512-S; Washington, D.C. 20250.

Applicants must have a Dun & Bradstreet (DUNS) number for federal assistance, which can be obtained at fedgov.dnb.com/webform or by calling 1-866-705-5711.

Additional information about EMP and TASC is available at www.fas.usda.gov/programs.asp.

The USDA’s international market development programs have had a significant and positive impact on U.S. agricultural exports. An independent study released in 2010 found that for every $1 expended by government and industry on market development, U.S. food and agricultural exports increase by $35.