Congressman Langworthy Introduces Bill to Support American Farmers on National Agriculture Day
Washington, D.C. – March 18— Today on National Agriculture Day, Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-NY) introduced the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act. This bipartisan legislation would modernize U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and ensure farmers have timely access to innovative feed additives. Congressman Langworthy is joined by Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA), Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN), Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN), and Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA) in introducing this bill.
Since 1958, American farmers have benefited from the FDA’s marketing authorizations of safe and effective feed additives for their livestock, improving health and productivity. However, since then, innovation in feed additives has increased exponentially, yet the statutory definitions of foods have not changed. As a result, several animal feed additive products get caught in the very costly and decade-long drug process when, according to FDA, they could be regulated like other foods within the Food Additive Petition process. In fact, the European Union, Japan, Australia, and many other countries have already adjusted their definitions and frameworks resulting in expedited approvals and more product availability to producers. It is time for Congress to make the necessary changes so that American farmers can gain access to these feed additives to remain competitive.
The Innovative FEED Act would reduce FDA review times by several years, spurring innovation and placing these products into producers’ hands sooner. It would also make clear that zootechnical animal food substances would be regulated within FDA’s existing Food Additive Petition (FAP) process for market approval, rather than the New Animal Drug Application process. By moving these substances out of the costly drug pathway and into the FAP, the Innovative FEED Act would spur more innovation in feed products that can provide American farmers with more tools to help nourish their animals and support farmers’ ability to keep their operations going.
“Farmers in NY-23 and across the country rely on innovative feed additives to improve animal health and productivity, but outdated FDA regulations have created costly and time-consuming approval barriers,” Congressman Langworthy said in a statement on Tuesday. “The Innovative FEED Act would level the playing field for American innovators and farmers by staying consistent with the regulatory approaches of other countries. On National Agriculture Day, it is important to renew our commitment to thanking farmers by taking federal actions to make their lives and jobs easier, not harder.”
“For years, FDA regulations on animal feed have failed to keep pace with innovations in the market. Some producers are waiting over 10 years for approval. That’s simply unacceptable. Our bipartisan Innovative FEED Act would remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers, making it easier for industry innovators to bring their feed to market,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee. “The benefits for Maine would be significant—not just for our livestock farmers, but for our growing aquaculture industry, leading to exciting new investments in things like microalgae and seaweed, which have shown great promise in reducing methane emissions in cattle. This is the kind of commonsense legislation that can help our farmers and our environment.”
“Our farmers, ranchers, and dairymen are essential to our nation’s economy and well-being, and they rely on innovative products like new feed additives to help keep their animals healthy and businesses productive,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Some additives even reduce methane emissions from cows and can have an outsized impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation makes much-needed updates to the FDA’s regulatory process that will improve animal health, reduce emissions, support American farms, and give U.S. farmers parity with foreign/international producers.”
“Farmers deserve access to the best options to keep their livestock healthy and their operations strong,”said Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09).“The FEED Act cuts unnecessary regulations and ensures that feed additives promoting animal health can be approved in a timely manner. Our farmers work hard every day to feed America, and they shouldn’t be held back by outdated bureaucratic hurdles. This bill will help level the playing field and give American Ag producers access to the same advancements available in other countries.”
Other original cosponsors include Representatives Moolenaar (R-MI), Tenney (R-NY), Riley (D-NY), Johnson (R-SD), Pfluger (R-TX), Feenstra (R-IA), Latta (R-OH), Joyce (R-PA), Messmer (R-IN), Bentz (R-OR), Obernolte (R-CA), Miller (R-OH), and Nunn (R-IA).
The Innovative FEED Act is supported by eleven organizations including the National Milk Producers Federation, American Feed Industry Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Grain and Feed Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Animal Supplement Council, North American Renderers Association, Meat Institute, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, Agricultural Retailers Association, and the American Pet Products Association.
“We commend Representatives Nick Langworthy, R-NY, and Kim Schrier, D-WA, for their bipartisan Innovative FEED Act to modernize the Food and Drug Administration’s regulatory framework for approving animal feed ingredients. U.S. dairy farmers benefit from access to safe and effective feed additives as they continue to innovate on multiple fronts. This bipartisan initiative will help them do just that, and we look forward to working with Reps. Langworthy and Schrier and their co-authors to enact this bill into law,”said Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation.
“NASDA supports the Innovative FEED Act’s goals to promote voluntary adoption of innovative new tools producers can use increase the efficiency of their livestock operations. Most state departments of agriculture inspect and regulate animal feed ingredients, which will include the new products covered under this legislation. This bipartisan legislation is important and timely to ensure that producers, regulators, and the feed industry can collaborate to increase innovation amidst a competitive market in a way that is safe for animals, producers, and consumers,”said NASDA CEO Ted McKinney.
"Supporting the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act is a critical step toward empowering American farmers with the tools they need to drive innovation in agriculture. By modernizing the regulatory process, this legislation paves the way for the introduction of advanced feed technologies that can improve livestock production, reduce environmental impact, and enhance economic opportunities for farmers across the country,"said Chuck Conner, President and CEO, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.
“IFEED will create a regulatory pathway to modernize animal food policies, resulting in a more efficient and predictable process for animal food products with novel benefits, such as reducing human foodborne illness, while maintaining rigor in food safety standards and transparency. NGFA and its members appreciate the bipartisan support for this critical legislation and strongly encourage its implementation,"said Berit Foss. PhD, Vice President of Feed and Sustainability, National Grain and Feed Association.
Constance Cullman, President and CEO, American Feed Industry Association said, The American Feed Industry Association thanks Reps. Nick Langworthy, Kim Schrier, Jim Baird, Chellie Pingree, Erin Houchin, Jim Costa and the many other bipartisan original sponsors for introducing the Innovative FEED Act. This bill is necessary to fix a broken regulatory system that has forced animal food innovators to pursue foreign markets and not America first. By more appropriately regulating 21st century feed and pet food ingredients, this bill will help usher in the animal nutrition innovations U.S. farmers and ranchers need to enhance animal health and production and support on-farm conservation, while providing pet owners with more nutrition options to support their aging pets.”
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