On National Agriculture Day, Congressman Nick Langworthy (R-NY) introduced the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at modernizing outdated U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations to provide farmers with faster access to innovative feed additives.
The bill, co-sponsored by Reps. Kim Schrier (D-WA), Jim Baird (R-IN), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Erin Houchin (R-IN), and Jim Costa (D-CA), seeks to shift certain feed additives out of the FDA’s lengthy New Animal Drug Application process and into the more efficient Food Additive Petition framework. Supporters say this change will cut years off approval times, fostering innovation and competitiveness for American farmers.
“For years, FDA regulations on animal feed have failed to keep pace with innovations in the market. Some producers are waiting over 10 years for approval. That’s simply unacceptable,” said Rep. Pingree, a longtime farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee. She noted the bill’s potential benefits for Maine’s livestock and aquaculture industries, particularly in advancing methane-reducing feed technologies.
The FEED Act has also drawn praise for its potential environmental impact. Congresswoman Schrier highlighted the role of certain feed additives in lowering methane emissions from cattle, a crucial step in reducing greenhouse gases.
“Our farmers, ranchers, and dairymen are essential to our nation’s economy and well-being, and they rely on innovative products like new feed additives to help keep their animals healthy and businesses productive,” Schrier said. “This legislation makes much-needed updates to the FDA’s regulatory process that will improve animal health, reduce emissions, and support American farms.”
With a coalition of 16 original co-sponsors and backing from 11 agricultural organizations—including the National Milk Producers Federation, American Feed Industry Association, and National Grain and Feed Association—the bill is gaining broad industry support.
Gregg Doud, CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, emphasized the bill’s significance for U.S. dairy farmers. “This bipartisan initiative will help them innovate on multiple fronts, ensuring access to safe and effective feed additives.”
If passed, the FEED Act could significantly streamline the regulatory process for American farmers, aligning the U.S. with other nations like the European Union and Australia, which have already adjusted their frameworks to accommodate feed innovation.
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