WASHINGTON — NASDA members, the state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture, hand-selected nine issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2022. They include the 2023 Farm Bill, animal health, climate resiliency, food safety, the food and production supply chain, infrastructure, international trade, workforce development and defining “waters of the United States.”
“These issues were chosen for NASDA’s 2022 focus, as these are the areas state departments of agriculture are uniquely positioned to lead impact and direct policymaking solutions. Most importantly, our members see these issues as priorities we must address to best serve the farmers, ranchers and communities in their states.” NASDA CEO Ted McKinney said.
Food supply chain issues, animal health, the 2023 Farm Bill and defining WOTUS are not new issues to NASDA, but the organization is giving heighted attention to these areas in 2022.
McKinney noted the particular importance of finding solutions to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Food supply chain disruptions compound challenges the industry already faces, and undulating demand and market prices for food and materials have created difficulties for farmers, ranchers, food processors and consumers alike. NASDA members will continue to use their unique influence across all areas of the food system to advocate for policies and forge partnerships that meet the current and local food supply needs of their states,” McKinney said.
COVID-19 also spotlights the importance of a protecting animal health. State departments of agriculture regulate and oversee animal health programs in the states, while also serving as the first line of defense against animal disease outbreaks.
“An outbreak of a foreign animal disease, like African Swine Fever, could cripple the entire agricultural sector with long-lasting ramifications for the economic viability of U.S. livestock production,” McKinney said. “NASDA is committed to working with intergovernmental agencies and industry stakeholders to foster a collaborative, One Health approach to protecting the health of animals, people and the environment.”
Carrying over priorities from 2021, NASDA will continue to support the creation of new free trade agreements, the expansion of broadband access and voluntary and incentive-based climate smart agricultural programs. NASDA will continue to seek full funding to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act while working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and states to effectively implement FSMA. NASDA also remains steadfast in its belief that by investing in people and workforce development systems, the industry can make the path to agriculture employment straightforward for our producers and a promising choice for workers.
NASDA will announce its policy priorities specific to the 2023 Farm Bill in the coming weeks.
Read more about NASDA’s policy work at NASDA.org/policy and join NASDA for live discussions on all its policy priorities at the NASDA Winter Policy Conference this February.
–National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — As discussions for writing the 2023 farm bill continue, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture has added direction to its policy advocacy efforts regarding the bill in several areas. Today at the NASDA annual meeting, members charged the organization to ensure farm bill conversations include the following topics: Expanded […]
WASHINGTON — Over the past few years, grocery shoppers have been looking closer at where our food comes from, our health and the safety of our food. We at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA), however, have been working every day to build the safest, most nutritious food system in the world […]
ARLINGTON, Va. — The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is thrilled to announce the selection of Ted McKinney as Chief Executive Officer. He will lead NASDA in amplifying the voice of state departments of agriculture in Washington, D.C., seeking policy solutions for our food system and expanding and deepening NASDA’s partnerships. “Representing a […]
WASHINGTON — The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is pleased to announce the promotion of Autumn Lankford to Manager, Public Policy and the hiring of Ellen Roth and Farrah Creer as Executive Administrator to the CEO and Coordinator, Human Resources & Finance, respectively. “Today we celebrate new opportunities for longstanding staff and welcome […]
