February 2001

Industry Export Funding Up

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently allocated $33.5 million to 25 U.S. trade organizations for export promotion activities under the Foreign Market Development program. The National Renderers Association’s (NRA) allocation was $998,170. Earlier, the USDA allotted $276,805 to the association under the Market Access Program; thus for the 2000/01 program year, the NRA has a budget ceiling of $1,274,979, one percent more than the previous year.

These funds support the NRA’s three regional directors – Neville Chandler, responsible for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; Dr. Yu Yu, responsible for Asia; and Alberto Celis, responsible for Latin America – and the market development activities they conduct on behalf of the U.S. rendering industry. However, a large number of U.S. trade associations compete for these government funds.

A critical factor in receiving export monies is industry support as expressed by cash and in-kind financial support. The rendering community has lagged behind other U.S. agricultural sectors in this regard.

For more information on the association’s international market development program and ways to support it, contact Jim Rudbeck at NRA at (703) 683-3561, or by e-mail at jrudbeck@nationalrenderers.com.