As reported in last week’s Washington Report, the fiscal year 2017 appropriations process is well underway in both chambers of Congress. The House bill was passed in full committee by voice vote on April 19, and the Senate bill was unanimously passed (30-0) by full committee last week.
The fiscal year 2017 agriculture bills, which fund the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, are ready for possible floor action next month. Neither the House nor Senate have released a proposed timeline or order of the next spending bills to be debated on the floor.
Several items of particular interest to industry:
- Monies allocated for the study of antibiotic resistance – Both the House and Senate bills would fund the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service to study antibiotic resistance on livestock and poultry operations.
- Biotech Labelling – The House bill would allocate $3 million to the Food and Drug Administration to educate consumers and promote acceptance of genetically engineered foods. The Senate bill does not contain this funding.
- Cuba – The Senate bill contains funding for a new Foreign Agricultural Service office in Havana Cuba, to facilitate expanded agricultural trade between the two countries. The House bill does not contain this funding.
- Organics Rule – Both bills urge USDA to consider the concerns of producers about a proposed rule which would set new standards for animal welfare and production of organic livestock, poultry and eggs.
- GIPSA Rule – The Grain Inspection Packers and Stockyards Administration’s new regulations on contracting and marketing practices in the livestock and poultry industries is addressed in the House bill by and amendment which would prevent USDA from moving forward on further rulemaking. The Senate bill does not contain this language.
