Farm Bill Export Options

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO identified ways that the Department of Agriculture (USDA) can improve the effectiveness of its agricultural export assistance programs. GAO noted that: (1) public and private sector organizations identified 126 options for improving USDA agricultural export assistance programs; (2) of the options identified, there were 58 for improving market development and promotion programs, 18 for improving title I food aid programs, 10 to improve the General Sales Manager guarantee programs, and 40 for improving export subsidy programs; (3) public and private analysts advocated that program funding continue for marketing development and promotion programs until the effects of recent legislation and international agreements are determined; and (4) for all of the programs reviewed, there were public and private analysts that advocated either continuation or total elimination of the programs.