Assisting Specialty Crop Exports: Regional Alignment of Pesticide Regulatory Systems and Trade Facilitative MRLs | USDA FAS 10621 0750 10 24 0004

Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FAS 10621 0750 10 24 0004

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Trade and Regulatory Capacity Building office, is offering a discretionary funding opportunity under the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) Initiative. The main goal is to reduce regulatory barriers that can limit exports of U.S. specialty crops by helping partner countries strengthen and better align their pesticide regulatory systems, especially around maximum residue limits (MRLs). In practical terms, the program is designed to make it easier for U.S. fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and other specialty crops to access and compete in current and emerging international markets by encouraging science-based, predictable, and trade-facilitative MRL policies abroad.

Funding will be provided through cooperative agreements, meaning awardees should expect an active partnership with USDA/FAS rather than a hands-off grant. The opportunity is organized into three separate regional tracks, with an expectation of three total awards. Each track focuses on advancing risk-based pesticide regulation and MRL-setting approaches that are consistent with Codex standards and/or the U.S. regulatory system. A central theme across all tracks is countering hazard-based regulatory policies and practices, which can lead to stricter or less predictable residue requirements that function as trade barriers even when products are used safely according to label directions and supported by risk assessments.

Track 1 focuses on Asia and is aimed at harmonizing MRL systems across the region. Projects under this track are expected to support the adoption and implementation of risk-based pesticide regulatory systems and MRL setting aligned with Codex and/or U.S. approaches. The intent is to promote regional consistency and transparency in how MRLs are established and updated, and to encourage policies grounded in risk assessment rather than hazard-only decision making. By building shared technical understanding and procedures, this track seeks to reduce the frequency of mismatched MRLs that can disrupt shipments or require exporters to meet multiple conflicting standards.

Track 2 focuses on Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and emphasizes bilateral and/or regional technical assistance delivered through partner countries and regional economic communities. The announcement specifically references groupings such as the Central American Regional Economic Community, the Andean Community (CAN), MERCOSUR, and CARICOM. The underlying objective is to strengthen regulatory capacity and encourage regional alignment so that pesticide registration decisions and MRL frameworks support safe trade and do not unnecessarily fragment the market. This could include support for regulatory cooperation among countries within these communities, improving processes for setting MRLs, and promoting the use of internationally recognized scientific methods and data.

Track 3 targets Africa and is focused on building capacity in pesticide registration and MRL setting. The emphasis is on supporting the development and implementation of risk-based pesticide regulatory systems and MRL policies consistent with Codex and/or U.S. systems and grounded in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement. In effect, this track aims to help governments and institutions strengthen the technical and policy foundations needed for predictable, science-based decisions, including systems that can appropriately evaluate pesticide uses, establish residue limits, and apply SPS principles in ways that protect consumers while also facilitating trade.

Key administrative details include an opportunity number of USDA FAS 10621 0750 10 24 0004 and a CFDA (Assistance Listing) number of 10.621. The award ceiling listed is $10,000,000, and the program anticipates making three awards total. The original application closing date is July 29, 2024, and the opportunity was created on May 17, 2024. Eligibility is broadly categorized as "Others," with full eligibility requirements referenced in Section C of the funding opportunity announcement, meaning prospective applicants should consult that section to confirm organizational eligibility and any specific limitations by track or project type.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a trade capacity-building and regulatory alignment effort intended to remove or prevent residue-related market access barriers for U.S. specialty crops. Successful projects are expected to focus on practical regulatory improvements, technical training and assistance, and policy alignment that leads to more consistent MRL setting and pesticide regulatory decisions across Asia, LAC, and Africa, using risk-based standards aligned with Codex and/or U.S. practices and consistent with WTO SPS principles.

• The Foreign Agricultural Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Assisting Specialty Crop Exports: Regional Alignment of Pesticide Regulatory Systems and Trade Facilitative MRLs" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.621.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-29. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $10,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for USDA FAS 10621 0750 10 24 0004

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