The Quality Samples Program (QSP) helps
U.S. agricultural trade organizations provide samples of their agricultural
products to potential importers overseas.
Focusing on industry and manufacturing,
as opposed to end-use consumers, the QSP permits potential customers to discover
U.S. quality. The QSP also allows manufacturers overseas to do test runs to
assess how U.S. food and fiber products can best meet their production needs. In
2010,
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided allocations totaling over
$1.9 million to trade associations and state agricultural organizations under
this program.
How the program benefits U.S.
agriculture: QSP
stimulates interest and demand for U.S. agricultural products. Increased
opportunities for agricultural exports ripple throughout the U.S. economy.
How the program works:
Each year, USDA announces an application period for participation in the QSP,
publishing it in the Federal Register. Trade organizations and private
firms can submit QSP proposals to USDA as part of the Unified Export Strategy
(UES).
QSP applications undergo a competitive
review process based on criteria specified in the Federal Register
announcement. Participants approved for QSP funding obtain commodity samples,
export them and provide the importer the technical assistance necessary to use
the sample properly. When a project is finished, USDA reimburses the
participants for the costs of procuring and transporting the samples. The
technical assistance component
is a requirement of the
program but is not reimbursable under the QSP.
USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation
(CCC) funds the program, which is authorized under the CCC Charter Act.
What commodities are covered:
USDA has approved QSP proposals
to promote a wide variety of U.S. commodities, including wheat, citrus,
cranberries, mohair, hides, rice, and soybeans. Many other commodities are
eligible.
News
Regulations
More Information
Additional Information:
To learn more about the program and how to submit your proposal online, contact
the USDA-FAS Program Operations Division, Grant Programs Branch,
Phone: (202) 720-4327,
Fax: (202) 720-9361; E-mail:
podadmin@fas.usda.gov,
Internet:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/mos/programs/QSP.asp
Information on FAS programs, trade data
and reports are available by accessing the FAS Home Page at:
http://www.fas.usda.gov.
