Biotech Updates

Call for House, Senate Support to Biotechnology

May 18, 2012

In line with the United States Department of Agriculture's 150th Anniversary, major farm and trade organizations called for U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives leaders' support to the important role of biotechnology.

The letter, dated May 14, 2012, was addressed to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. It states that starting on May 15, the signees are requesting and encouraging the aforementioned names to publicly demonstrate their "commitment to ensuring a safe an abundant food, fuel and fiber supply for generations to come." They also stressed the importance of a strong commitment to the availability of biotechnology, as it will increase sustainability, productivity, and competitiveness of the U.S. agriculture.

Among the signees of the letters are the following organizations: Agricultural Retailers Association; American Seed Trade Association; American Sugarbeet Growers Association; National Association of Wheat Growers; National Corn Growers Association; National Sunflower Association; USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council: American Farm Bureau Federation; American Soybean Association; Biotechnology Industry Organization; National Barley Growers Association; National Cotton Council; and US Canola Association.


A copy of the letter is available at http://www.agri-pulse.com/uploaded/5_14_12_ABA_Letter_to_Leadership_on_USDA_150.pdf.