FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Laura Zaks
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net
Tel. 347.563.6408
Comment: NSAC Celebrates Introduction of the Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act
Washington, DC, June 16, 2023 – Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment, attributable to Nick Rossi, NSAC Policy Specialist, in response to the Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act, which was introduced yesterday, June 15, 2023, by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR):
“The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) celebrates the introduction of the Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act, landmark legislation that supports the resilience and innovation of American farmers. Greater investment in publicly funded, regionally adapted, seed varieties and animal breeds will supply US farmers and producers with the tools they need to build a more resilient food system in the face of climate change. Public plant and animal breeding programs have encountered shrinking budgets, declining institutional support, increased labor and land costs, and insufficient federal investments. Consequently, the lack of access to regionally adapted seeds and breeds jeopardizes the domestic agricultural sector’s stability and undermines the competitiveness of farmers at home and abroad. By directing funding through USDA research grants, this bill prioritizes the development of regionally and culturally appropriate public seeds (“cultivars”) and animal breeds, ensuring their accessibility to the public. Ultimately, the Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act paves the way for sustainable and resilient food systems that uplift local communities.”
Find more information on the bill here.
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About the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is a grassroots alliance that advocates for federal policy reform supporting the long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability of agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities. Learn more and get involved at: https://sustainableagriculture.net
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