As state legislatures wrap up Q1 sessions, Patrick Plues, BIO's SVP for State Government Affairs, explains what ag-related legislation BIO is watching.
Animal vaccination: BIO opposes restrictive bills targeting livestock vaccinated with mRNA vaccines, which don’t exist for animals, and criminalizing animal vaccinations. The only vaccine bill passed (in Utah) says food containing vaccines must be regulated as a drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs): Bills requiring GMO labeling were being considered in Illinois, Maine, Missouri, New York, and Oklahoma. A New York bill would prohibit the sale of GMO salmon. In Oregon, a bill banning the production of genetically engineered aquaculture died.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF): While bills incentivizing SAF in Hawaii and Kentucky failed, Arkansas passed a measure; legislation is pending in California, Minnesota, New York, and Washington.
Plant biostimulants: BIO is helping spearhead legislation in several states, including bills enacted in Mississippi, North Dakota, and Utah, and legislation moving forward in Iowa, Oregon, and Vermont.
Foreign ownership: BIO is concerned with bills restricting foreign-owned biotech companies from purchasing land for R&D that could benefit U.S. farmers.
BIO’s view: “This is a particularly busy time in the states, but working with national, regional, and state partners and policymakers, BIO is successfully defending, protecting, and helping to expand markets in the states for agriculture biotechnology and bio-based products,” says Gene Harrington, BIO's Senior Director, State Government Affairs, Agriculture & Environment.
Read more on Bio.News.
