May 14, 2024

Contents

• What We’re Watching
• Notable News
• This Week’s Legislation
• Upcoming Hearings
• Contact the Team

What We’re Watching

Congress 

Farm Bill 

Late last week, House Agriculture Committee Republicans released additional farm bill details with a section-by-section summary. Notable provisions included are removal of the climate guardrails for Inflation Reduction Act conservation funding, increases in funding for trade programs like MAP and FMD, changes to the Thrifty Food Plan, funding for ag research infrastructure, and an increase to crop insurance premium discount (for a period of time) for new, beginning, and veteran farmers.  

Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) penned an open letter to colleagues and stakeholders encouraging their support of farm bill passage and outlining priorities. Specifically, the letter says that “any farm bill must align the farm safety net with the needs of producers, make long-term investment in locally led, voluntary, incentive-based conservation practices, expand market access and trade promotion opportunities, strengthen program operations to demand transparency and accountability to the taxpayer, revitalize rural communities and economies, and reinforce not only the importance of helping our neighbors in need, but doing so without indiscriminate expansion of our nutrition safety net.” 

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) has plans to meet with House Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson (R-PA) to discuss reauthorization and bill text release. House Democrats will also convene this week to discuss priorities and strategy for the markup. Senate Agriculture Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) announced Senate Republicans will be releasing their farm bill priorities following markup of the House bill, scheduled for May 23. 

Separately, USDA Secretary Vilsack showcased his support of the Senate version of the bill, pushing back against House Republicans call for changes to the Thrifty Food Plan which he states, “is not the right policy.”  

Food Safety 

Stakeholders in the food space wrote letters to House and Senate Ag-FDA Appropriations leadership, requesting preserving support for state and local food safety regulatory agencies. The letters argue that state and local food safety regulators often do not have adequate funding for hiring, operating, and maintaining a workforce. The FY25 President’s budget request for FDA cut funding from $117 million to $83 million, which the letter states, “will decimate the ability of state and local programs to continue this level of partnership and greatly reduce the activity of food protection provided by these front-line programs.”  

Food Waste 

Senators Marshall (R-KS) and Bennet (D-CO) led a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting that rendering be included as a solution in the Draft Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics. The letter notes the rendering industry recycles 99% of unwanted and leftover animal materials considered inedible and diverts over 54 billion pounds of raw materials from landfills.  

Administration

USDA Announces Funding for HPAI Protective Measures 

USDA, HHS, and FDA announced additional assistance for farmers with cattle affected by H5N1, or High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) late last week. Specifically, USDA is providing funding for affected premises to help mitigate costs of testing, implementation of biosecurity measures, and loss of production. More information can be found here. 

USTR Inquiry into Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 

The U.S. Trade Representative announced the launch of an inquiry into supply chain vulnerabilities, with public hearings continuing through this week, ending this month. There are concerns being voiced from the industry about where data will go, and whether this initiative will facilitate increased tariff actions on manufactured goods. Some groups, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recommended free trade agreements, and other groups made comments about how trade policy has been too focused on short term objectives.  

USDA Announces Support for Veteran Farmers and Ranchers 

USDA rolled out $22.3 million in funding for organizations that help underserved and veteran farmers own and operate farms. The program will be administered through USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE) and through the 2501 Program. Applicants that are eligible include not-for-profit organizations, community-based organizations, and a range of higher education institutions. Applications are due by Friday, July 5, 2024. There will be two webinars, on May 22nd and then on June 26th to learn more about the program.  

Notable News

• Recipe for a Livable Planet: Achieving Net Zero Emissions in the Agrifood System – World Bank
• Calls for Increased Ag Trade Opportunities Continue – Iowa Agribusiness
• NAWG: Still a Lot of Process Questions Around the Farm Bill – Capital Press
• Ethanol plant partnership aims for low-carbon corn – Bismarck Tribune
• Congress Must Pass the Vital Farm Bill to Address Food Security – Foodtank

This Week’s Legislation

• Senators Klobuchar (D-MN) and Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the Baby Food Safety Act of 2024, which would allow the FDA to enforce limits on heavy metals found in infant and toddler food.
• Senators have passed the American Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act which is a package of reauthorization legislation for federal habitat and wildlife conservation programs.
• Congressman Feenstra (R-IA) introduced both the Rural Hospital Stabilization Act, to authorize the Rural Hospital Stabilization Pilot Program, and the Audio-Only Telehealth Access Act, which would allow for audio-only broadband capabilities for seniors using telehealth programs.
• Senator Rubio (R-FL) introduced a bill to amend the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to modify requirements for citizen suits under those Acts
• Congressman Ruiz (D-CA) introduced a bill to amend the Agricultural Adjustment Act with respect to the treatment of dates for processing under certain marketing orders.

Upcoming Hearings

Monday, May 13

• 2:00 PM: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold a hearing on “Improving Access and Opportunities for Hunting, Fishing, and Outdoor Recreation on America’s Federal Lands.”

Wednesday, May 15

• 10:00 AM: The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials will hold a hearing on “The Fiscal Year 2025 Environmental Protection Agency Budget”
• 10:00 AM: The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development will hold a hearing to “Examine Proposed Budget Estimates and Justification for Fiscal Year 2025 for the Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation”

Thursday, May 16

• 9:00 AM: The House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs will hold a hearing titled “Intruder Alert: Assessing the CCP’s Ongoing Infiltration of U.S. Military Installations”
• 10:00 AM: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold hearings to “Examine the President’s Proposed Budget Request for FY2025 for the Forest Service.”
• 10:00 AM: The House Committee on Natural Resources will hold an Oversight Hearing on “Examining the Council on Environmental Quality Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Request and Related Policy Matters.”

Contact the Team

Feel free to contact Michael Torrey, Tara Smith, Cassandra Kuball, Barbara Patterson, Katie Naessens, Julie McClure, Nona McCoy, Danielle Nelson, Ashley Smith, Olivia Lucanie, Caroline Snell, Heath Brandt, or Tracy Boyle with any questions or comments.

Food and agricultural organizations that need the right results in Washington, D.C. can trust Torrey Advisory Group to put its relationships, reputation, and expertise to work on your issue. Since 2005, the firm has successfully provided legislative and regulatory guidance, issues management, and association management services to a wide variety of clients. Learn more about us at torreydc.com.