Recently Passed House Appropriations Bill Will Spur Agricultural Innovation
Washington, D.C. (July 20, 2022) – John Murphy, chief policy officer for the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, released the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives’ passing the fiscal 2023 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
“The bill passed by the House supports the innovation needed to secure the food supply and advance sustainable technologies that enable farmers and ranchers to help fight climate change. BIO applauds and thanks members of Congress who voted in favor of this vital funding bill.
“We commend the leadership of Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.), and the 19 cosponsors, on the adoption of their amendment to support regulatory consistency by providing FDA the resources it needs to issue guidance on new plant varieties produced using the tools of genome editing and modernize the agency’s plant biotech consultation program. Clear, science-based and timely regulation of agricultural biotech traits is essential to the development and commercialization of critical agricultural biotechnology products in order to facilitate grower access to innovativetools for meeting the challenges facing farmers today and into the future.
We also welcome the adoption of Rep. Baird’s bipartisan amendment to streamline FDA’s review and approval of animal food ingredients, such as feed additives that reduce methane in cattle and enzymes that enhance the digestibility of energy, protein and phosphorus in livestock.
“BIO also thanks the House for including provisions that 1) urge USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to take measurable steps to establish a predictable, science-based regulatory pathway on genetically engineered microbes, 2) encourage the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to support non-profit ag biotech research partners to engage in transgenic plant research, and 3) provide $16 million for the Agricultural Research Service to leverage current resources to help find solutions to agricultural challenges through biotechnology. Finally, we congratulate and thank Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) for the adoption of an amendment requiring USDA and FDA to collaborate in the development of animal biotech regulations.
“The task before us is feeding and fueling a growing world in an increasingly sustainable way. The House-passed agricultural appropriations bill will help biotech developers and their farmer and rancher partners meet the 21st century challenges we face through innovation. We urge the Senate also to support these provisions.”
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