FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Laura Zaks

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

lzaks@sustainableagriculture.net 

Comment: NSAC Responds to House Subcommittee Markup of FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill

Washington, DC, May 17, 2022 – The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) issued the following comment, attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director in response to the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Bill released today by the House Appropriations Committee. 

“The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is deeply disappointed to see the initial draft fiscal year (FY) 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. There is no surer way to undermine the success of farmers, ranchers, rural communities, and our shared food system than through the proposals included in this bill. Cuts to research, technical assistance, and market opportunities will effectively strand farmers – and the clear intention to dismantle the Department’s equity initiatives would subvert recent efforts to address long-standing systemic, institutional racism. In its current form, this bill represents a consequential step backward for market access, fair competition, climate resilience, equity, and food security.”

“We encourage Appropriations and Congressional leaders to abandon proposals that erode prosperity and to instead strive toward investments that prioritize farmers and rural communities – particularly those historically underserved by USDA programs –  as they confront climate change and consolidation head-on.”

###

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