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The 2014 Farm Act introduced major changes to the system of support to agricultural producers. Direct payments, a cornerstone of U.S. policy towards crop production since 1996, were eliminated. The Counter-Cyclical Payments (CCP) Program and the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program were also terminated. Furthermore, the Act: replaced market price support for dairy products with a margin protection programme for dairy farmers; modified and refunded disaster aid programmes for livestock producers; and sought to rationalize conservation programmes. [5] (...)

[5] The acreage cap for the Conservation Reserve Program, which compensates farmers for cropland put in retirement, has been reduced.

(...) As with all U.S. commodity and crop insurance programmes, farmers must comply with conservation and wetland protection requirements and report all crop acreage planted to be eligible for LDP (loan deficiency payment) or marketing loans; gross income and payment limitations also apply. Marketing loan support is fully coupled to current prices and current production.

Although with somewhat reduced funding for conservation measures, Title II of the 2014 Farm Act retains the three main programmes (the Conservation Reserve Program, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, and the Conservation Stewardship Program). Other smaller programmes have been maintained through the new Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, designed to protect wetlands and preserve agricultural land from commercial and residential development. The new Regional Conservation Partnership Program is also the result of consolidation and coordination efforts.

The 2014 Farm Act (Title IX) maintains the Biomass Crop Assistance Program with a mandatory funding level of US$25 million per year. The Rural Energy for America Program, which encourages installations of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency, is also maintained but with lower funding. US$30 million per year is earmarked for the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program.

Congress established the Airport Privatization Pilot Program (APPP) in 1997 through the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 1996 (49 U.S.C. 47134, PL 104-264), with the aim of increasing private participation, especially private capital investment, in airport operations and development. (...) As of end-August 2016, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) approval for Hendry County Airglades Airport (Clewiston, FL) was pending, due to Hendry County and the private operator not having completed the environment assessment needed for Hendry County's submission of its final application for the APPP.

(...) The U.S. Coast Guard under the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for regulating maritime transport, including vessel safety and security, environmental protection, and licensing mariners.

Table A2. 1 The Trade Advisory Committee System
Type and name Maximum or approximate number of membersa Appointments by Subject
Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC) 35 USTR Trade and environmental policy issues
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Table A3. 2 Prohibitions, restrictions or other special requirements
Product Prohibition, restriction, or requirement
Commercial and industrial equipment Energy performance standards to be met
(...)
Hazardous substances Substances must be shipped to the United States in packages suitable for household use
Household appliances Energy standards to be met, and labelled to indicate expected energy consumption or efficiency
(...)
Refrigerants The EPA regulates the importation of ozone-depleting substances
(...)
Toxic substances Imports will not be released from CBP custody unless proper certification is presented to CBP indicating that the import "complies with" or "is not subject to" TSCA requirements
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Table A3. 3 Products subject to import licensing
Category Products Agency Purpose Legal reference Other info
Fish and wildlife Fish and wildlife including endangered species Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife service To: identify commercial importers and exporters of wildlife; require records that fully and correctly disclose each importation or exportation of wildlife and the subsequent disposition of the wildlife by the importer or exporter 50 CFR Part 14 All persons, firms, and institutions may apply for a licence
(...)
Nuclear facilities and materials Production and utilization facilities, special nuclear materials, source materials, and by-product materials, including when such materials are contained in radioactive waste Nuclear Regulatory Commission To protect public health and safety and the environment, and maintain the common defense and security of the United States, by exercising prudent controls over the possession, use, distribution, and transport of such items Atomic Energy Act, 10 CFR Part 110 All persons, firms and institutions must have a permanent (physical) address within the United States

Plant and plant products Certain plant and plant products Department of Agriculture To protect against the entry of plant pests and diseases, and to protect endangered plant species Section 412 of the Plant Protection Act, 7 U.S.C. 7712, the Endangered Species Act, and Title 7 CFR Parts 300 399 Persons, firms, and institutions resident in the United States may apply for a permit
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Table A3. 4 Selected sub-federal subsidy schemes for "greener" energy
- State: AZ
- Authority: Dept. of Revenue
- Form of subsidy: Solar liquid fuel tax credit
- Objective: Promote use of solar energy
- Recipients: Taxpayers involved in increased research and development activities with regard to solar liquid fuel
- Description : For taxable years beginning from and after 31 December 2010 through 31 December 2021, a credit is allowed for increased research and development activity related to solar liquid fuel. The amounts vary
(...)
Source: WTO document G/SCM/N/284/USA, 18 November 2015.