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“We appreciate
Congress coming together to pass the omnibus to fund the federal government for
the rest of FY 2023. We are grateful to see $3.7 billion in disaster aid for
the calendar year 2023 and the registration review deadline extensions for PRIA
and FIFRA be included in this legislative package,” said NAWG CEO, Chandler
Goule. “Throughout 2022, large areas across Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and
Colorado have been experiencing extreme to exceptional drought, according to
the US Drought Monition, and the relief provided in the omnibus can help wheat
growers with relief as they navigate these harsh weather conditions. Lastly,
glad to see the Growing Climate Solutions Act be included in this year-end
package, which NAWG has supported as it provides a credible source of
information for growers looking to participate in voluntary carbon markets.”
Programs
and funding that specifically benefit wheat growers include:
Disaster Aid: The
Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act includes $3.74 billion for crop
and livestock losses in the calendar year 2022. In early December, NAWG and
other commodity organizations requested disaster aid be included in a FY 2023
Omnibus package.
Pesticides: The
Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) which allows pesticide
registrants to pay registration fees to helps pesticides get through the
registration process faster. The EPA’s Office of Pesticide Policy (OPP) also
received $140 million, the highest funding since 2010. Finally, the Federal
Insecticide, Rodenticide, and Fungicide Act (FIFRA) was amended to extend the
deadline for EPA to conduct registration reviews of existing products.
Growing Climate
Solutions Act: The Growing Climate Solutions Act will provide growers with a
resource for information on voluntary carbon markets and technical assistance
providers and verifiers related to those market programs. In addition, an
advisory committee at USDA, comprised of a majority of farmers, ranchers and
forest landowners, will provide recommendations to the Secretary on the carbon
markets and related work.
Sponsoring USDA
Sustainability Targets in Agriculture to Incentivize Natural Solutions
(SUSTAINS) Act: The omnibus also includes SUSTAINS Act, which encourages
private sector partnerships for agriculture sustainability by allowing
businesses to invest in conservation practices in geographic regions of their
choice—and allows for matching USDA funds.
Research Programs:
The bill provides $3.45 billion – $175 million above the fiscal year 2022
enacted level – for agriculture research programs, including the Agricultural
Research Service (ARS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture
(NIFA).
Marketing Programs:
The bill provides $237 million, $11 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted
level and $4.7 million above the request, to facilitate the movement of
agriculture products and open market opportunities.
International Food
Assistance Programs: The bill includes $2.2 billion for international food aid
and to promote U.S. agricultural exports overseas. This includes $1.75 billion
for Food for Peace grants and $243 million for the McGovern-Dole International
Food for Education and Child Nutrition program.
NAWG looks forward to
working with Members of Congress to continue advocating for wheat growers
across the nation. More details can be found in the summary document and the
full bill can be found here.
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