NASDA Establishes Federal Policy Priorities for 2024
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) members, the state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture, have chosen five issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2024. They include the 2024 Farm Bill, food safety, labor reform, pesticide regulation and PFAS.
Ted McKinney, CEO of NASDA remarked on the gravity of these issues for 2024. “These issues were chosen for the organization’s 2024 focus as NASDA members see urgent need for action in these areas to support farmers and ranchers in their ability to grow our nation’s food, fiber and fuel.”
NASDA has published one-pagers offering background and insight for each policy priority.
2024 Farm Bill: NASDA has asked Congress to expedite passage of a unified farm bill that secures a commitment to American agriculture, notably its farmers and ranchers, and the critical food and nutritional assistance programs for those who need it most.
Food Safety: State departments of agriculture are the frontline in protecting consumers against foodborne illness and food contamination. NASDA advocates for the funding state programs to protect our food supply and ensure farmers across the country are equipped with the information needed to apply Food Safety Modernization Act requirements on their farms.
Labor Reform: Farmers and ranchers need a legal, reliable guest worker program that provides a workforce that supports farms and ranches and treats workers respectfully. Reforming the H-2A program would provide farmers and ranchers with a legal and reliable workforce while curbing rising food prices and maintaining our global competitiveness.
Pesticide Regulation: In 43 states and Puerto Rico, the state department of agriculture is a co-regulatory partner with EPA and is responsible for administering, implementing and enforcing the production, labeling, distribution, sale, use and disposal of pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act which establishes a rigorous, scientific evaluation and review process for these tools.
PFAS: Per-and-poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are steadily emerging as a major issue to society at large, including farmers and ranchers in the United States. NASDA supports urgently funding additional federal research to answer questions and concerns regarding the presence of PFAS in our society and the degree to which it presents risk. NASDA also supports strategies to ensure farmers and ranchers keep their agricultural land and animals healthy and productive.
Source: AgriMarketing.com