House Passes Fiscal 2023 Agriculture Appropriations Bill in Support of Biotechnology Innovation

Strategic Insights -

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the fiscal 2023 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies appropriations bill, which includes provisions that support the innovation needed to secure the food supply and advance sustainable technologies in agriculture. The bill aims to promote regulatory consistency, streamline FDA's review and approval of animal food ingredients, and provide funding for agricultural research. Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) applauds the House for including provisions that will help biotech developers and farmers meet the challenges of feeding and fueling a growing world in a sustainable way.

Key Takeaways:

  • The bill passed by the House supports the innovation needed to secure the food supply and advance sustainable technologies in agriculture, particularly in genome editing and modernizing the agency's plant biotech consultation program.
  • BIO commends Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.) for their leadership on the adoption of an amendment that provides FDA the resources it needs to issue guidance on new plant varieties produced using genome editing tools.
  • The bill includes provisions that urge USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to establish a predictable, science-based regulatory pathway on genetically engineered microbes.
  • The bill provides $16 million for the Agricultural Research Service to leverage current resources to help find solutions to agricultural challenges through biotechnology.
  • Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa)'s amendment is included in the bill, requiring USDA and FDA to collaborate in the development of animal biotech regulations.

Statistics:

  • The bill aims to provide $16 million for the Agricultural Research Service to leverage current resources to help find solutions to agricultural challenges through biotechnology.
  • The bill includes provisions that 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.
  • Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.) have led the effort to provide FDA the resources it needs to issue guidance on new plant varieties produced using genome editing tools.

Sources:

  • Biotechnology Industry Organization