June 9, 2023

US bipartisan legislation seeks to set up new pathway for introducing novel feed additives

US senators Roger Marshall, Tammy Baldwin, Jerry Moran and Michael Bennet have introduced on June 8 the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act of 2023 (S.1842), a bipartisan legislation that would establish a new pathway at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for novel feed additives to increase livestock efficiency and production.

"The (US) agricultural industry sets the gold standard when it comes to livestock production," Marshall said. "My producers at home continue to want to make more with less and leave the world safer, cleaner and healthier than they found it. Since the feed industry doesn't have a pathway to bring certain feed products to market, innovation that could be happening here is instead happening with our competitors abroad. I thank Senators Baldwin, Moran and Bennet for working with me to develop a bipartisan solution that will bring new products to America's ranchers."

"It's critical that our farmers across the (United States) have the tools they are looking for to cut emissions, achieve their climate goals, and keep our nation fed," said Baldwin. "We know that there are innovative feed products that can help farmers reduce their environmental impact, but onerous bureaucratic processes are getting in the way of these products making it to our agriculture community in a timely way. Our bipartisan legislation will help our farmers access the innovative products they need to reach their climate goals, compete on the world stage with producers who already have these food additive tools and support our rural economies."

"This legislation will help bolster the animal feed industry and make certain producers in Kansas and across the country have access to feed additives that will support animal nutrition," said Moran. "By expanding research and reducing bureaucratic hurdles at the FDA, more of these products will be available to farmers, encouraging a stronger food supply chain."

"While producers in Europe and South America are using innovative feed additives to stay competitive, bureaucratic red tape has left America's cattlemen and dairy farmers without any options," said Bennet. "We need to create a level playing field for Colorado's livestock industry by giving them every available tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the sustainability of their farms and ranches, while ensuring health and safety."

Some industry officials are generally supportive of the new legislation.

"The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) commends Senators Marshall, Baldwin, Moran, and Bennet for introducing the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act, which will modernise the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to enable innovative products to reach the market and advance improvements in food safety," said David Fairfield, senior vice president of NGFA. "We strongly endorse this bill that would promote the availability of animal food products with novel benefits, such as improving the environment and reducing human foodborne illness."

- Doc Marshall