FAS administrator Suzanne Heinen said that a 65% increase in red meat exports over the past five years was an excellent return on investment for the US Department of Agriculture’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program funds, provided through FAS to the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF).
She cited the success of the strong partnership between FAS and USMEF. “A great example of our partnership at work is the fact that only two markets, of nearly 100 where we export, have taken action [to restrict US beef imports]. That measured response is a direct result of our joint efforts to provide education and reassure our trading partners that US beef is safe.”
Heinen also highlighted collaborative work to get scientific support for maximum residue levels (MRLs) in US agricultural products.