Jan 18, 2023

State ag departments group sets 2023 federal policy focus

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) has established its federal policy goals for 2023.

NASDA members, the state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture, hand-selected seven issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2023. They include the 2023 Farm Bill, animal health, environmental regulations, food production and the supply chain, food safety, international trade and workforce development, according to a news release.

NASDA CEO Ted McKinney remarked on the timeliness and importance of these issues for 2023.

“These issues were chosen for the organization’s 2023 focus as NASDA members see specific opportunities for progress regarding each of these areas to best serve farmers, ranchers and all communities across the nation,” he said in the release. “Further, we believe these are the areas where state departments of agriculture are uniquely positioned to lead impact and direct policymaking solutions this year.”

NASDA has published one-pagers offering background and insight for each policy priority.

The next farm bill must remain unified, securing a commitment to American agriculture and the critical food and nutritional assistance programs for those who need it most, according to the release.

On environmental regulations, NASDA supports the science-based and comprehensive regulatory framework the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act provides to ensure environmental and public health protection, according to the release. NASDA will assist the Environmental Protection Agency in implementing Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, ensuring the environment, including endangered species, is protected and U.S. farmers and public health officials have access to the technologies they need, according to the release.

Regarding the recently published “Waters of the U.S.” rule, NASDA will continue to press states’ roles in regulating non-navigable waters, according to the release.

In food security, NASDA is committed to ensuring long-term stability and resilience in our nation’s food supply chain through supporting projects to increase U.S. meat processing, food and nutrition security and reducing food waste, according to the release.

“NASDA will continue to advocate for funding state Food Safety Modernization Act programs because state departments of agriculture are the front line of protection for consumers when it comes to food safety,” according to the release. “State agencies, including state departments of agriculture, play a vital role in implementing and enforcing our nation’s food safety and inspection laws.”

In workforce development, NASDA is committed to working with the federal government, private industry and academia to identify and address agricultural workforce challenges, according to the release.