Your Tax Dollars Help Cargill Export Factory Meat

[one...two...tree 2,762]

The US Meat Export Federation has a straightforward mission: to open foreign markets to the output of our vast factory animal farms. The group represents all major players in the US industrial meat machine: the dominant meatpackers (Cargill, Smithfield, Tyson, and JBS); the big farm interests that grow their feed (American Soybean Association, the Iowa Corn Growers Association); and the agrichemical giants that supply corn farmers with inputs (Monsanto and Dupont).

Now, I deplore the US meat industry for all of its many abuses, but I'm not shocked that it has formed an interest group to push its suspect products on overseas markets. But this? It's nuts. Under a USDA initiative called the Market Access Program, US taxpayers will be cutting a check to the US Meat Export Federation for $19.7 million in fiscal 2012.

Other outfits that wll receive MAP largesse of at least $5 million include US Grains Council (members include Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Monsanto); the Cotton Council International (Cargill); the USA Poultry and Egg Council (Tyson, Pilgrim's Pride, and Cargill, again).

In all, MAP will spend a cool $200 million in '12 trying to grease the wheels of trade for US agribusiness and its web of trade groups.

Now, MAP has been around and funneling taxpayer cash into promoting the export of industrial food since 1985, as this 1993 General Accounting Office report (PDF) shows. In its earlier incarnations, the program made even more outrageous gifts—the program cut checks just not to trade groups but rather to specific companies. Major recipients included Tyson, Pillsbury, Seagrams (yes, the liquor giant), Jim Beam (ditto), Campbell's Soup, Nestle, Hershey's, Kraft, and even McDonald's. And even then, the Meat Export Federation and the Grains Council were enjoying tens of millions in annual taxpayer infusions.

Maybe in the '80s, such blatant corporate giveaways could be justified under the rubric of "feeding the world" and "helping the family farm." But we now know that dumping US commodities on foreign markets drives smallholder farmers out of business, spreading poverty and hunger (see Haiti, and post-NAFTA Mexico ); we know that exporting US-style diets generates chronic problems like obesity and diabetes; and we know that the promoting US agribusinesses like Monsanto is not the same as supporting US farmers.

http://motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2011/11/cargill-export-meat-map

[luckytxn 2,264]

Should be no subsidies for any industry at all ever.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Just another shill article. Agriculture is our number one export. You are so ANTI business Steve. Don't export any AG products.Shut down all the coal mines ,Stop all the oil drilling,steel mills,gas wells and all mfg except subsidized wind mills and solar plants. If you and your friends had your way america would be not a 3rd world country but much worse. You seem to be against capitalism in all forms for the United States.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

So, AG manufacturers can't stand on their own in the marketplace and are therefore entitled to subsidies in order to help them stay in business. But when future energy technologies receive subsidies, then it's socialism. Where's your consistency, lost one? The Texan is straightforward and consisten - no subsidies, period. That, I can respect.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So, AG manufacturers can't stand on their own in the marketplace and are therefore entitled to subsidies in order to help them stay in business. But when future energy technologies receive subsidies, then it's socialism. Where's your consistency, lost one? The Texan is straightforward and consisten - no subsidies, period. That, I can respect.

No subsidies. Do or die. Put up or shut up.

[mawilson 2,133]

Oh shocker. As if there's an industry that's not subsidized by our tax dollars.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Oh shocker. As if there's an industry that's not subsidized by our tax dollars.

The government is promoting an export market and the left is upset.

[kytwell 179]

and the agrichemical giants that supply corn farmers with inputs (Monsanto).

http://motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2011/11/cargill-export-meat-map

This damn Monsanto, just had a guy from there appointed to the FDA. Some of these companies must have CEO's who were big campaign bundlers for Obama, as they seem to be getting fat from subsidies during his term.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack in Asia Pacific Region,

Announces Investments in International Market Development to Help Sustain Demand for American Agriculture

Nov 17,2011 - Agriculture Secretary Vilsack in Asia Pacific Region, Announces Investments in International Market Development to Help Sustain Demand for American Agriculture

HANOI, Vietnam, —Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in approximately 70 U.S. agricultural organizations to help expand commercial export markets for their goods. Vilsack made the announcement during a conference call with reporters from Vietnam, where he is meeting with officials to help strengthen trade relations in the Asia Pacific region.

"Under the Obama Administration, USDA has continued to expand markets for American goods abroad, worked aggressively to break down barriers to trade, and assisted U.S. businesses with the resources needed to reach consumers around the world," said Vilsack. "The funding announced today will ensure that U.S. agriculture remains a bright spot in America's economy and a driving force behind export growth, job creation, and our nation's competitiveness."

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) allocated $213 million for export promotion activities through two USDA international market development programs: the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) and the Market Access Program (MAP). 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.

Currently, the American brand of agriculture is surging in popularity worldwide. Farm exports in fiscal year 2011 reached a record high of $137.4 billion—exceeding past highs by $22.5 billion—and supported 1.15 million jobs here at home. The agricultural trade surplus stands at a record $42.9 billion. USDA also forecasts that new trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama will add an additional $2.3 billion to the farm economy and support about 20,000 American jobs.

Under FMD, FAS will allocate a total of $29.7 million to 24 trade organizations that represent U.S. agricultural producers. The organizations, which must contribute a minimum 50 percent cost share toward the program, will conduct activities that help maintain or increase demand for U.S. agricultural commodities overseas. Under MAP, FAS will provide $183 million to 67 nonprofit organizations and cooperatives. MAP participants must contribute a minimum 10 percent match for generic marketing and promotion activities and a dollar-for-dollar match for promotion of branded products by small businesses and cooperatives.

In Vietnam today, Vilsack met with representatives from some of the U.S. agricultural organizations benefitting from these programs. He also spoke with Vietnamese officials and talked with students at the Hanoi University of Agriculture. Next he will travel to China as part of the Obama Administration's delegation for the 22nd Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), where he also plans to meet with additional U.S. agricultural organizations benefitting from USDA's international market development efforts.

For a complete listing on allocations, visit http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/Funding/MAP_2011.asp and

http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/Funding/FMD_2011.asp

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.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Beef is good. Vegans taste like #######.

[kytwell 179]

Beef is good. Vegans taste like #######.

The cows eat a vegan diet

I prefer venison though, but deer are vegans too

Edited November 24, 2011 by kytwell

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The cows eat a vegan diet

Cows eat vegans? I did not know that!

[lostinblue 1,989]

Beef is good. Vegans taste like #######.

USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) allocated $213 million for export promotion activities through two USDA international market development programs: the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) and the Market Access Program (MAP). 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.

Currently, the American brand of agriculture is surging in popularity worldwide. Farm exports in fiscal year 2011 reached a record high of $137.4 billion—exceeding past highs by $22.5 billion—and supported 1.15 million jobs here at home. The agricultural trade surplus stands at a record $42.9 billion. USDA also forecasts that new trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama will add an additional $2.3 billion to the farm economy and support about 20,000 American jobs.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

No subsidies. Do or die. Put up or shut up.

Then we won't be exporting any AG products. AG is heavily subsidized in Europe. Are we expecting our AG producers to compete with subsidized counterparts overseas?

[lostinblue 1,989]

Then we won't be exporting any AG products. AG is heavily subsidized in Europe. Are we expecting our AG producers to compete with subsidized counterparts overseas?

MAP stands for the USDA's Market Access Program, which provides funds on a matching basis to food exporters to help offset the cost of overseas market development. The program helps grower organizations and trade associations compete with heavily subsidized foreign firms on their own turf. Without MAP's participation to help level the playing field, export market development in many areas of the world would not be economically feasible for small growers to compete.Agricultural commodities are subject to numerous health and safety regulations, as well as other rules of commerce that vary greatly from country to country.