U.S. Wheat Associates
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Leveling the Playing Field
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USW is involved in providing input on and conducting analyses of various government policies that can impact U.S. wheat exports including sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, export credits, monopoly powers of export state trading enterprises such as the Canadian Wheat Board, and sanctioned country sales, among others.

Export Credit Program
The GSM-102 program is an export credit guarantee program available to buyers in some countries. It provides a 98% guarantee to the US exporter and allows for repayment terms for up to 36 months. This program has become increasingly essential during the current global credit crunch and has been oversubscribed for the last year. An eventual Doha agreement will limit credit guarantee terms to a 180 day tenor. USW supports the continued use of this program. For more information on how to use this program, visit the USDA website.

Sanitary Phytosanitary (SPS) Issues
USW monitors and works with USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) to resolve SPS issues that create non-tariff barriers for US wheat exports. This includes measures related to specifications for plant diseases, weed seeds, maximum residue limits (MRLs), mycotoxins, etc.

Elimination of State Trading Enterprises (STE)
USW supports the elimination of the trade distorting practices of export STEs and is working to eliminate export STEs through the current round of WTO negotiations.

Sanctioned Countries
Wheat exports from the United States to sanctioned countries are allowed under license from the US Treasury Department. To learn about how to obtain a licenses from the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), visit http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforecement/ofac/.
Trade Agreements
The Harvest

Study Confirms Trade Agreements Lift U.S. Farm Exports; Progress is Needed

A new study shows trade agreements directly increase U.S. ag exports, cash prices, and job growth, yet the U.S. risks falling behind its more aggressive export competitors. “There is a lot of talk about trade right now and this study offers proof that existing trade agreements are working for American agriculture,” said USW Director of Policy Rebecca Bratter. “We hope this new information will finally end the delay on ratifying pending free trade agreements.”

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Biotechnology

U.S. Consumers Support Plant Biotechnology as Sustainable Production

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) 2010 “Consumer Perceptions of Food Technology” survey found that consumers support the use of food biotechnology when they consider its potential benefits for reducing environmental impact. The survey indicated that 80% of consumers would be likely to purchase food containing wheat grown using plant biotechnology if produced with sustainable practices.

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