Subsidy Program Running Out of Funds: A...

Subsidy Program Running Out of Funds: A subsidy program to help sell U.S. wheat and other commodities overseas is nearly out of money, according to the Agriculture Department. F. Paul Dickerson, general sales manager for the department’s Foreign Agricultural Service, said only about $13 million remained available under the Export Enhancement Program. Under the program, exporters are paid subsidies in the form of surplus government commodities so they can sell wheat or other designated products to a foreign buyer at competitive prices. Congress last year effectively capped the program at $425 million for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1. Subsidies so far total about $412 million, Dickerson said.