Supporting International Agriculture Language in the Farm Bill

Consistent with the recommendations in the SMART Investment report, AIARD is joining the Farm Journal Foundation and others in supporting the following amended 2018 Farm Bill Language (proposed language in red):

Section 1402 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977
SEC. 1402. ø7 U.S.C. 3101 PURPOSES OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, EXTENSION, AND EDUCATION. The purposes of federally supported agricultural research, extension, and education are to--
(1) enhance the competitiveness of the United States agriculture and food industry in an increasingly competitive world environment;
(2) increase the long-term productivity of the United States agriculture and food industry while maintaining and enhancing the natural resource base on which rural America and the United States agricultural economy depend;
(3) develop new uses and new products for agricultural commodities, such as alternative fuels, and develop new crops;
(4) support agricultural research and extension to promote economic opportunity in rural communities and to meet the increasing demand for information and technology transfer throughout the United States agriculture industry;
(5) improve risk management in the United States agriculture industry;
(6) improve the safe production and processing of, and adding of value to, United States food and fiber resources using methods that maintain the balance between yield and environmental soundness;
(7) support higher education in agriculture to give the next generation of Americans the knowledge, technology, and applications necessary to enhance the competitiveness of United States agriculture; and
(8) maintain an adequate, nutritious, and safe supply of food to meet human nutritional needs and requirements.
Possible amendment--
Section 1402 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 (7 U.S.C. 3101) is amended by adding a new item (5) as follows:  
(5) “Support international scientific collaboration to advance food and agricultural interests of the United States such as addressing emerging plant and animal diseases, improving crop varieties and animal breeds, and improving food production systems.” 
 
 [renumber existing paragraphs (5) through (8) as paragraphs (6) through (9)
​
AIARD hope this would encourage and facilitate more collaborative science, which is mutually beneficial to both U.S. and overseas producers. It could also strengthen the collaborative relationship between USDA and USAID on agricultural research and innovation, both in terms of planning and execution.

Categories

All