Agriculture committee hearing highlights need for federal coordination

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The need for federal coordination became apparent in Wednesday's House Agriculture Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research hearing on a federal coordination plan regarding pollinator health.

During the hearing, it was clear that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would need to work together to address stress factors for bee health.

In a statement from CropLife America (CLA), they applaud the leadership of the committee.

"The hearing today highlights the importance of unified policies and the need for strong communication between USDA and EPA,” Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA, said. “Agriculture is a large contributor of our country’s economy. For instance, the U.S. is a major producer and exporter of soybeans, earning $3 to $4 million in soybean and related product exports. We must ensure that farmers have the tools they need to grow crops while addressing the many factors that affect pollinators. Pollinators are vital, too -- they support one-third of the human diet. CLA looks forward to working with beekeepers, policy makers and other stakeholders to safeguard our nation’s pollinators and keep the agriculture sector strong.”

Continued oversight was promised in a statement by the committee once the White House strategy is released.