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

2. 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

3. 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.)

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

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