(a) Findings.—Congress finds that—
(1)
a productive and healthy agricultural industry and a strong and active United States maritime industry are vitally important to the economic well-being and security of the United States;
(b) Purposes.—The purposes of this subchapter are to—
(1)
enable the Secretary of Agriculture to plan export programs effectively, by clarifying the ocean transportation requirements applicable to those programs;
(2)
take immediate and positive steps to promote the growth of the cargo-carrying capacity of the United States merchant marine;
(3)
expand international trade in United States agricultural commodities and products and develop, maintain, and expand markets for United States agricultural exports;
(4)
improve the efficiency of administration of both the commodity purchasing and selling activities and the ocean transportation activities associated with export programs sponsored by the Secretary;