Ag groups ask feds to release IICA funding

Ag groups ask feds to release IICA funding
May 28, 2020

The U.S. provided US$2.38 million for the organization in 2018

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Several U.S. farm groups are asking the federal government to release already-committed funding for an international industry organization.

The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA), along with 32 other industry groups including the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Corn Growers Association, have sent a letter to members of the Trump administration requesting funds for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The May 19 letter is addressed to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and copied to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney.

The IICA, founded in 1942, is a 34-country group whose mission is to “encourage, promote and support Member States in their efforts to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being through international technical cooperation of excellence,” the organization’s website says.

It’s unclear how much funding the groups are asking to be released. But the IICA’s 2018 financial statements report suggests the U.S. contributed US$2.38 million to the organization.

Providing the necessary money to help the IICA will ensure the U.S. and the other member countries are viewed as global industry leaders.

“Success in these organizations is predicated on U.S. leadership, coalition building and robust participation of likeminded countries that demand science-based policymaking,” the letter says. “IICA plays a critical role ensuring these conditions exist.”

Farms.com has reached out to NAMA and IICA for comment.

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