USDA’S FOREIGN AGRICULTRAL SERVICE

USDA’SFOREIGN AGRICULTRAL SERVICE U.S. Agriculture: Trade Policy & Trade Barriers

AGRICULTURAL TRADE POLICY • FAS’ Role in USDA – International Arm • Trade (OASA) • Development (OCBD) • Foreign Service (OFSO/Overseas) • Marketing (OTP) • Analysis (OGA) • FAS DC Offices • Coordinate Ag Trade Policy for USDA • Work with Interagency via USTR (Ag Affairs & other offices, TPSC) • Coordinates USDA role in disputes • FAS Overseas Offices • Primary contact with local governments • On-the-ground intel • Reporting

AGRICULTURAL TRADE BARRIERS Traditional Trade Barriers – Common Types: • Tariff-based (bindings, etc) • General GATT Principles (National Treatment, MFN, etc.) • Illegal subsidies • Domestic purchasing • TBT/Technical Barriers to Trade (labeling, standards, etc.)

AGRICULTURAL TRADE BARRIERS Ag-Specific Trade Barriers: • WTO Ag Agreement • Ag Domestic Support Levels – subsidy commitments • Export Subsidies (market distorting) • Quantitative Restrictions (TRQs and TRQ administration issues)

AGRICULTURAL TRADE BARRIERS WTO SPS Agreement • What SPS Measures are • Measures must be based on international standards from OIE (World Org for Animal Health), IPPC (Int’l Plant Protection Convention) or Codex, OR • Measures must be based on sound science, least trade restrictive necessary for member to achieve its appropriate level of protection • Examples: BSE, Biotech, Avian Influenza, etc

AGRICULTURAL TRADE BARRIERS How FAS Addresses Trade Barriers (Least to Most Intensive Approaches) • Technical Level (regulatory agencies – APHIS, FSIS, AMS, etc.) • FAS Embassy/attaché interacts with local government – informal or formal (demarche) • DC Political level – letter, phone call, meeting • Jointly with USTR – • WTO/FTA committees (Agriculture, SPS, TBT) • Bilateral Arrangements, e.g., CCAs, TIFAs • Dispute Settlement – VERY uncommon, last resort

USDA: FAS How to Contact FAS: www.fas.usda.gov Email: elle.o’flaherty@fas.usda.gov

USDA’S FOREIGN AGRICULTRAL SERVICE