Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/307 |
S-IV§54 |
United States of America |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Energy |
Relevant information
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The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (P.L. 113-79, Sec. 9010) was established under the 2008 Farm Bill to meet the target of the Federal Renewable Fuels Standards II , which demands a shift from mainly corn-based bio-fuels towards new non-food energy crops. The USDA FSA provides three types of incentives for the production of perennial bio-energy crops and woody biomass on eligible and FSA designated land: payments of up to 50% of the cost of establishing the perennial crops (75% under the 2008 Farm Bill), with a cap of US$500 per acre or US$750 per acre for socially disadvantaged farmers; annual rental payments for up to 5 years for herbaceous perennial crops and up to 15 years for wood perennial crops; and a matching payment of up to US$20 per dry ton (US$45/t under the 2008 Farm Bill) to mitigate the cost of collecting, harvesting, storing, and transporting the crop to designated biomass conversion plants. The United States has notified expenditures for the programme component "collection, harvest, storage and transportation" in terms of non-product-specific support. As of 2014, 48,000 acres were enrolled in Biomass Crop Assistance Program. The programme funding was reduced in recent years (US$432 million FY2010, US$112 million in FY2011, and US$17 million in FY2012). Under the 2014 Farm Bill, the Biomass Crop Assistance Program has a mandatory funding level of US$25 million per FY until 2018.
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Keywords
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Bio
Renewable
Energy
Forest
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/307 |
S-IV§57 |
United States of America |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Energy |
Relevant information
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The Federal crop insurance programme is permanently authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act of 1980, as amended, inter alia, by subsequent Farm Bills. The new Farm Bill retains the federal crop insurance programme, albeit with a number of amendments and increased spending for subsidized crop insurance. Most of the increase is due to two new insurance plans: for cotton (Stacked Income Protection Plan for producers of upland cotton), and for other crops (Supplemental Coverage Option). New insurance plans will also be made available for peanuts (peanut revenue insurance) and bio-energy crops, amongst others.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/307 |
S-IV§55 |
United States of America |
2014 |
Measures |
Grants and direct payments, Loans and financing |
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Relevant information
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The Rural Energy for America Program (P.L. 113-79, Sec. 9007) provides financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, and loan guarantees to eligible applicants (including agricultural producers) to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements. The new Farm Bill reduces the funding of the programme (mandatory funding of US$50 million per FY plus discretionary funding of US$20 per FY). The programme was notified as non-product-specific support.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/307 |
S-IV§56 |
United States of America |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Agriculture |
Relevant information
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Most of the existing programmes in the horticulture title aimed at supporting the specialty crop and organic agriculture sector have been extended, with overall increased funding. The provisions and programmes deal mainly with certification of organic operations; research; SPS measures; and marketing and promotion of locally grown products. The Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (funded with US$30 million) is intended, inter alia, "to increase consumption of and access to locally and regionally produced agricultural products" (P.L. 113-79, Sec. 10003). In addition, programmes in other Farm Bill sections benefit the specialty crop and organic agriculture sector (e.g. Market Access Program and Technical Assistance for Speciality Crops in Title III, Value-Added Producer Grant Program in Title V). According to the authorities, most of these programmes are not individually notified, but expenditures are covered by General Services entries for the agencies that implement them.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/307 |
S-IV§139 |
United States of America |
2014 |
Sectors |
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Services |
Relevant information
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The institutional and legal framework for maritime transport has not changed over the last few years. The United States Coast Guard of the Department of Homeland Security is the primary federal agency responsible for regulating maritime transport, including regulating vessel safety and security, environmental protection and response, and the licensing of mariners. (…)
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/307 |
S-II§4 |
United States of America |
2014 |
Trade Policy Framework |
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Relevant information
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(…) Subsequent renewals of the authority have also included provisions on negotiating objectives, such as inclusion of labour and environmental provisions. Historically, TPA [Trade Promotion Authority] has been backed by bi-partisan support when it has been granted.
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/307 |
S-Table-III.6 |
United States of America |
2014 |
Measures |
Technical regulation or specifications |
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Relevant information
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Table 3.6 Prohibitions, restrictions, or other special requirements
Product: Household appliances
Prohibition, restriction, or requirement: Energy standards to be met, and labeled to indicate expected energy consumption or efficiency
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/307 |
S-Table-III.6 |
United States of America |
2014 |
Measures |
Technical regulation or specifications |
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Relevant information
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Table 3.6 Prohibitions, restrictions, or other special requirements
Product: Commercial and industrial equipment
Prohibition, restriction, or requirement: Energy performance standards to be met
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/307 |
S-Table-III.6 |
United States of America |
2014 |
Measures |
Not specified |
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Relevant information
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Table 3.6 Prohibitions, restrictions, or other special requirements
Product: Refrigerants
Prohibition, restriction, or requirement: The EPA regulates the importation of ozone-depleting substances
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Secretariat TPR |
WT/TPR/S/307 |
S-III§205 |
United States of America |
2014 |
Measures |
Intellectual property measures |
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Relevant information
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These initiatives also included annual renewal of the pilot Patents for Humanity Program, which created incentives to leverage patented technology to address global humanitarian needs. Past awards aimed at (…), provide solar energy to remote locations, (…)
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