San José, 28 July 2025 (IICA) – More than 40 leading agriculture and food industry companies from the United States expressed their support for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), describing it as a strategic and vital ally in their efforts to expand exports, strengthen science-based trade regulations, and protect animal health for the benefit of farmers.
Representatives of these American companies met virtually with IICA Director General Manuel Otero to convey their support. They also sent a letter to senior U.S. government officials, commending the hemispheric organization’s efficiency and transparency. The letter also praised IICA’s concrete results in preventing the spread of animal and plant diseases across the continent and its collaboration with the private sector.
The letter of support for IICA was sent to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Ambassador Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative.
No unnecessary bureaucracy
In their message, the companies stated that IICA is a model for other international organizations and highlighted its ongoing commitment to public–private partnerships in addressing agriculture’s challenges. They especially valued IICA’s avoidance of unnecessary bureaucracy and its direct work with industry to promote solutions.
During the meeting with Otero, representatives from the production and industrial sectors said IICA has been key to building strategic partnerships aimed at promoting science-based transformation and clear trade rules, as well as creating new economic opportunities for farmers. In that regard, they noted that IICA’s efforts have been critical in countering the interests of countries that, through regulations and documents in multilateral forums, seek to impose de facto trade barriers.
Furthermore, the U.S. companies emphasized the crucial importance of IICA’s coordination work in establishing risk-based sanitary and phytosanitary systems in the Americas and rejecting politicized standards. They acknowledged IICA’s role in protecting rural economies and food security in the face of threats such as the spread of the New World screwworm and African swine fever.
Building genuine partnerships
“IICA belongs not only to all Member States and their agriculture ministries, but also to you: farmers, the private sector, partners, and key stakeholders in our work. Together with IICA, you are building genuine public–private partnerships”, said Manuel Otero in thanking them for their support. He was joined at the meeting by Deputy Director General Lloyd Day and IICA Representative in the United States Margaret Zeigler.
Otero provided details of IICA’s work to prevent the spread of African swine fever and the New World screwworm across the continent, through support for farmers and regional governments with early detection tools and information campaigns. This work is carried out in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The Director General also described IICA’s ongoing efforts to defend agriculture and promote a new narrative that recognizes its value: “We carry the voice of agriculture in the Americas and of U.S. agriculture to the COPs and other international forums. Our message is clear. Agriculture is not the villain, but the solution to our food security and sustainability challenges”.
Participants in the meeting included representatives from the following companies and business associations: Almond Alliance, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Seed Trade Association, Animal Health Institute, BASF, Bayer, Bunge, Cargill, Consumer Brands Association, Corteva, CropLife America, CropLife International, DTB AgriTrade, Elanco, FMC, Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, Global Cold Chain Alliance, Growth Energy, International Council of Beverages Associations, International Food Additives Council, Meat Import Council of America, Meat Institute, Mosaic Company Foundation, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, National Grain and Feed Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Turkey Federation, North American Export Grain Association, North American Millers’ Association, PEPSICO, Plant Based Products Council, Solutions from the Land, U.S. Dairy Export Council, U.S. Dry Bean Council, U.S. Grains Council, U.S. Poultry and Egg Export Council, UPL, USA Rice Federation, and WISHH.
More information:
Institutional Communication Division.
comunicacion.institucional@iica.int
