What does the MARA Team do for USDEC Members?

USDEC's Market Access and Regulatory Affairs (MARA) team is the go-to source for exporting dairy products by providing in-depth and up-to-date dairy import requirements for more than 90 countries in USDEC's Export Guide. Leveraging this expertise, the MARA team supports member exports by helping exporters navigate complex regulatory export issues, including:

• Assisting with the clearance of detained shipments at international ports by engaging with U.S. and foreign authorities;
• Advocating on behalf of USDEC member interests with U.S. and foreign governments;
• Addressing non-tariff barriers to trade to maintain and expand market access opportunities for U.S dairy exports;
• Responding to member technical inquiries related to export documentation, product labeling, and compositional standards;
• Providing tariff classification guidance, including insights on how product composition may impact tariff treatment and potential tariff savings.

The MARA team also communicates timely regulatory updates to USDEC members through our monthly MARA newsletter and online Export Guide updates. Contact jsmith@usdec.org to subscribe and learn more.

MARA Staff and Responsibilities

• Jonathan Gardner, Sr. VP: Head of department; overarching regulatory issues
• Edward Fetzer, VP: North Asia, Vietnam, Sub-Saharan Africa
• Sandra Benson, VP: Europe, South Asia 
• Oscar Ferrara, VP: Latin America and Caribbean
• Holly Delidle, Manager: Product and labeling standards (all countries)
• Bryan Jacoby, Manager: Middle East and North Africa, Canada, Tariffs (all countries)
• Aimee Pinkerton, Manager: Southeast Asia; Australia, New Zealand
• Jessica Smith, Manager: Project Management and MARA Communications