WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is introducing bipartisan legislation to increase the efficiency and efficacy of livestock feed — leading to higher produce yields and harvests. Under current law, farmers and ranchers do not have access to the most up-to-date additives to help improve the quality and quantity of their meat and dairy products. The Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (FEED) Act would help cut bureaucratic red tape at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to spur innovation in the livestock feed sector and equip farmers with the supplies they need.

“Everyone benefits when healthy livestock produce safe, high-quality meat and dairy products — and that begins with how they eat,” said Senator King. “Unfortunately, manufacturers of supplemental additives to livestock feed face needless, burdensome hurdles and bureaucratic red tape which prevents farmers and ranchers from getting their hands on new, innovative products. The bipartisan Innovative FEED Act will expedite the period between the early stages of development and regulatory approval — creating a level playing ground for the agricultural industry and ensuring healthier, sustainable options for consumers.”

The Innovative FEED Act would:

• Amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act establishing a new category in the animal food additive petition process to cover ingredients that address animal health, food safety, or environmental benefits in an animal’s diet.
• Help American livestock producers cut regulatory red tape while adding value to their products and remaining competitive on a global scale.
• Ensures farmers are rewarded for participating in voluntary, producer-led sustainability efforts, and market their products to companies and nations that have set climate reduction goals.
• Modernize the approval process by establishing a new pathway for manufacturers to receive approval for feed additives that improve efficiency in meat and dairy production while also reducing byproducts.
• Establish strict guardrails to ensure only qualifying products are eligible for this pathway while also ensuring products are safe to use. 

In addition to Senator King, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

Senator King is a staunch advocate for the Maine agriculture industry. This session of Congress, Senator King cosponsored the Honor Farmer Contracts Act which released withheld federal funding and allocated it back to farmers as Congress had intended. He is an original sponsor of the bipartisan Dairy PRIDE Act which combats the mislabeling of non-dairy products and requires accurate labeling of dairy and non-dairy products as mislabeling is harmful to dairy farmers selling their products in a crowded marketplace. Senator King also cosponsored the Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to give milk producers a greater voice in dairy pricing. Additionally, Senator King is an annual cosponsor of the federal ‘National Dairy Month’ resolution.

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