From staff reports The American Soybean Association and 43 other ag organizations signed a letter last week in support of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture and the integral role the organization plays in bolstering U.S. agriculture and trade priorities.
The IICA, a specialized agency for agriculture that supports the efforts of its members to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being, features programs that specialize in areas like technology and innovation for agriculture; agricultural health; food safety and quality; international agricultural trade; family farming; rural development; natural resource management and the bioeconomy.
In the letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the agencies highlighted why IICA is a “highly effective and trusted partner,” underscoring IICA’s critical role in prioritizing U.S. stakeholder engagement and advancing core U.S. policy goals by helping reduce non-scientific trade barriers while strengthening partnerships and technical alignment with key trading partners in international forums; preventing the spread of dangerous diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture; and collaborating closely with the private sector.
“The administration’s leadership in prioritizing international investments that deliver results for U.S. agriculture is essential to maintaining global competitiveness,” the groups wrote. “At a time of rising global competition and growing threats to agricultural trade and biosecurity, continued U.S. support for IICA will strengthen American leadership, expand export opportunities, and reinforce the science-based trade systems that help U.S. farmers and ranchers compete— and win—on a fairer global playing eeld.
Sharing ASA’s support of the IICA, the letter was signed by Almond Alliance, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Feed Industry Association, American Frozen Food Institute, American Seed Trade Association, Animal Health Institute, Association for Dressings & Sauces, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Business Council for International Understanding, Consumer Brands Association, Corn Refiners Association, CropLife America, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, Global Cold Chain Alliance, Growth Energy, Independent Bakers Association, International Council of Beverages Associations, International Dairy Foods Association, International Food Additives Council, Meat Import Council of America, Meat Institute, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Grain and Feed Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, North American Export Grain Association, North American Millers’ Association, Plant Based Products Council, Solutions from the Land, The Fertilizer Institute, U.S. Dairy Export Council, U.S. Dry Bean Council, U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Poultry and Egg Export Council, U.S. Soybean Export Council and USA Rice Federation.