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FACT
SHEET:
Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program
December 2008
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Printable version
The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 created the Technical
Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program and authorized the use of $2
million of Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) resources in each fiscal year (FY)
from 2002 through 2007. The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008
reauthorized the TASC program and provided mandatory funds of $4 million in FY
2008, $7 million in FY 2009, $8 million in FY 2010, and $9 million in 2011-2012.
How the program benefits U.S. agriculture: The TASC program is designed
to assist U.S. organizations by providing funding for projects that address
sanitary, phytosanitary and technical barriers that prohibit or threaten the
export of U.S. specialty crops. For purposes of the TASC program, a "specialty
crop" is defined as all cultivated plants and the products thereof produced in
the United States except wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, cotton, rice,
peanuts, sugar, and tobacco. Examples of activities these grants may cover
include seminars and workshops, study tours, field surveys, pest and disease
research, and pre-clearance programs.
How the program works: TASC proposals are accepted from any U.S.
organization, including, but not limited to, U.S. government agencies, state
government agencies, non-profit trade associations, universities, agricultural
cooperatives and private companies. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS),
which administers the program, provides grant funds as direct assistance to U.S.
organizations. Applicant contributions are not required, but are strongly
encouraged.
Each year, USDA announces an application period for participation in the TASC
program, publishing it in the Federal Register. TASC applications undergo
a competitive review process based on criteria specified in 7 FCR, part 1487 and
in the Federal Register announcement. Funds are awarded to applicants
that demonstrate how their project will overcome trade barriers resulting in
market access retention and expansion for specialty crops. Awards are for a
maximum of $250,000 per year and for projects of up to three years. Proposals
may target any eligible export market, including single countries or reasonable
regional groupings of countries. Applicants may submit multiple proposals, but
no TASC participant may have more than three projects underway at the same time.
FAS sets a program funding level for each approved application and signs a
program agreement with the participant. Funds may be requested as advance
payments or on a reimbursement basis. Participants are required to maintain
records and documents associated with the program agreement. All projects are
subject to review by U.S. government officials.
Where to get information: To submit a TASC proposal or to find more about
the program, contact the USDA-FAS Programs Operations Division, Grant Programs
Branch; Phone: (202)
720-0866; email: emo@fas.usda.gov, or on
the Internet at:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/tasc/tasc.asp .
Information on FAS programs, trade data and reports are available by
accessing the FAS Home Page at:
http://www.fas.usda.gov.
Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program
FY 2007 Allocations
Organization |
Project |
2007 Allocation |
California Apple Commission |
Taiwan Technical Trade Mission
|
$13,878 |
California Apple Commission |
California Taiwan Inspection Program |
27,700 |
California-Arizona Lettuce Export
Council |
Controlled Atmosphere Treatment |
35,000 |
California Grape and Tree Fruit League |
California Stone Fruit to
Mexico-Mexican Regulatory Oversight |
159,900 |
California Strawberry Commission |
China Market Access Support |
18,828 |
California Tree Fruit Agreement |
Testing Low Hydrostatic Pressure (LHP)
Technology |
18,550 |
California Walnut Commission |
UN/ECE Delegation Visit to Observe
U.S. Walnut Industry |
4,800 |
CALPOLY Corporation |
Export Markets and California
Agriculture: Understanding the Implications of Trade Barriers Applied to
Citrus Products |
4,000 |
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association |
US-Canada Pesticide MRL Harmonization
Database |
60,880 |
Ginseng Board of Wisconsin |
Pesticide Research on Ginseng Root
|
76,500 |
Minor Crop Farmer Alliance (MCFA) |
Global Minor Use for MRL Harmonization |
14,310 |
National Potato Council |
Fresh Potato Market Access -- China |
119,905 |
Organic Trade Association &
Sustainable Strategies |
Gap Analyses |
174,000 |
U.S. Apple Export Council |
Mexican Work Plan Implementation
|
528,500 |
U.S. Apple Export Council |
Mexico-Final Resolution of Inspection
Process |
19,500 |
U.S. Apple Export Council |
Taiwan Inspection |
55,400 |
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service |
Codex Apple Working Group |
33,720 |
Total |
|
$1,433,371 |
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