ARLINGTON, VA. — The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) announced Dec. 17 it has received $200,000 in funding to increase global access of animal food products manufactured in the United States. Funding was provided by the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) through its Market Access Program (MAP).

AFIA has been granted “cooperator” status for the first time as a result of this financing, which allows it to independently manage government funds starting Jan. 1, 2021.

“We are appreciative of the USDA’s recognition of the AFIA as the industry leader in animal feed, feed ingredients and pet food trade,” said AFIA’s President and CEO Constance Cullman. “The U.S. animal food industry has solutions that can help countries boost the efficiency and quality of their animal production practices and pet food diets in a sustainable way.  Unfortunately, regulatory and policy constraints continue to block these products from competing fairly in many foreign markets. The AFIA looks forward to partnering with the USDA to address these trade barriers.”  

Through these funds, the trade association will work to grow the United States’ animal food industry export market — currently a $12.6 billion market — by engaging and educating international stakeholders, helping to set global standards and other initiatives.

The FAS MAP program allows the agency to partner with trade associations and share the costs of promoting US agricultural products in international markets. Starting in 2021, the AFIA will have access to MAP funds through a third-party cooperator. It will use these funds to develop market access programs in China and address the development of international animal food standards.

AFIA will focus on supporting the US-China Phase One trade agreement, as well as educating foreign end-users and regulators about the quality and integrity of US pet food and animal feed products.

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