v?l 



work. Change reminds us that while much is right with the way FAS and its export 

 activities are managed, there is, of course, a need to reassess our objectives. 



The mission of our new agency is to enhance both agricultural exports and 

 relationships generally with key agricultural traders and food and agricultural organizations. 

 To the familiar goals of market intelligence and trade promotion, our personnel from the 

 former OICD brings the significance of the broader agricultural relationship and its overall 

 affect on trade and U.S. relations. And of course U.S. agriculture benefits from the many 

 exchanges and joint projects personnel from the former OICD will continue to manage. 



Clearly, mission is fundamental for our new agency, and it comes from the idea of 

 who we serve. And the ITS clientele is broad indeed: 



-- U.S. farmers and ranchers, first and foremost; •-£'■'. 



— Exporters; 



— USDA cooperators and other producer and commodity groups; 



— Processors and handlers of farm products; 



-Every American who benefits from reasonable food prices secured by efficient 

 production supported by healthy exports; 



— Our foreign customers; 



— International organizations, foreign governments, U.S. and international donor 

 agencies, universities, private voluntary organizations and others in the international 

 community; 



Elements of an Agricultural Export Strategy 



Before turning specifically to the Subcommittees' questions, let me comment briefly 



