October 3, 2008 - The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is one of 70 U.S. trade organizations that will share in the $234 million of funding to promote American farm products overseas.

The allocations for the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) were announced this week by Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer. These funds are administered under the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

ASI received funding for both the MAP and FMD programs. MAP funding is $333,074 and the FMD allocation is $186,792.

"This is extremely important funding for the U.S. wool industry as it continues to explore new markets. The programs are particularly effective when investigating markets that are either high risk or developing, like China and India," commented Rita Kourlis Samuelson, wool marketing director for ASI. "Working with the U.S. wool industry is invaluable to the success of the international wool programs. ASI welcomes the involvement of companies that have export capacity to market wool and can assist in promoting U.S. wool."

The MAP program utilizes matching organizational funding as a means of cost-sharing overseas marketing and promotional activities. ASI uses this funding for projects such as top-combing and scouring trials, trade show participation, trade missions and reverse-trade missions. FMD focuses on reducing market impediments and improving the processing capabilities of importers.
Staff contact: Rita Kourlis Samuelson, ext. 29

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