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Reps. Panetta and Baird Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Spur Plant Biostimulant Research and Regulatory Approvals

March 15, 2023

Monterey, CA – Today,U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Representative Jim Baird (IN-04) reintroduced the Plant Biostimulant Act to create a uniform process for approving commercial plant biostimulant use and require more federal research on the technology's benefits for soil health. Currently, there isn't a consistent and predictable path to market for plant biostimulants and this legislation would help remedy that problem with federal guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture. Companion legislation was introduced by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Mike Braun (R-IN).

Plant biostimulants are products that can be used in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings that improve natural plant nutritional processes, which can result in improved plant health, tolerance to abiotic and other environmental stresses, as well as improved growth, quality, and crop yield. The use of plant biostimulant technologies has also shown promise in sustainability management practices such as carbon sequestration and water quality improvement.

"The lack of a standard regulatory definition or pathway to market for plant biostimulants makes accessing this innovative technology difficult for the sustainable agriculture industry," said Rep. Panetta. "I'm proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation that would remedy these barriers and encourage the adoption of these new products. Improving the accessibility of plant biostimulants is critical to the continued leadership of Californian and American producers in providing global food security and protecting our environment."

"As newer technologies become available to farmers and ranchers to improve efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of American agriculture, we have a responsibility to ensure we have a regulatory process that creates a pathway to market without sacrificing safety or efficiency," said Rep. Baird. "Biostimulants have the significant potential benefits for producers and their sustainability footprint, and defining these products is an important first step in getting these tools into farmers' toolboxes."

"Agriculture is essential to California's economy and allows us to put food on the table for families across the country," said Senator Padilla. "As our practices evolve to make our agriculture sector more sustainable, we must ensure they are properly implemented to ensure their efficacy and safety. Oversight and regulatory standards for plant biostimulants, which could replace or reduce the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, are critical at this stage and help ensure California remains at the forefront of this bio-based agricultural technology."

"Plant biostimulants are important tools that allow farmers to make more with less, which preserves our natural resources and increases efficiency. I'm glad to lead this bipartisan bill with Sen. Padilla so that there is clear pathway for these innovative products to be on the market for farmers in Indiana and across the nation," said Senator Braun.

The Plant Biostimulant Act will:

  • Amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to define what is a plant biostimulant and exclude it from being regulated under the Act.
  • Require the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) to revise existing Code of Federal regulations to include this new plant biostimulant definition.
  • Require U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study how plant biostimulant products can contribute to soil health.

The Plant Biostimulants Act is endorsed by the Agriculture Retailers Association (ARA), American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA), Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), Council of Producers and Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA), CropLife America (CLA), The Fertilizer Institute Biostimulant Council, Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), Humic Products Trade Association (HPTA), International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), Responsible Industry for a Sound Environment (RISE), and Western Growers.

"We are thankful to Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Jim Baird for reintroducing the Plant Biostimulant Act," said Keith Jones, Executive Director of the Biological Products Industry Alliance (BPIA). "BPIA believes this legislation is critically important to the future of the biostimulant industry because it will codify a federal definition for plant biostimulants and clarify the path to market for these innovative products. BPIA looks forward to working with Congress to see this bill become a law."

"The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) Biostimulants Council is thankful to Reps. Panetta and Baird for reintroducing this important legislation. This bill provides a critical definition for plant biostimulants which will help states establish a clear path to market for these important products and technologies, critical to a variety of growers," saidCorey Rosenbusch, President and CEO of the Fertilizer Institute.

"The American Seed Trade Association is pleased to see the reintroduction of the Plant Biostimulant Act," said Andy LaVigne, President & CEO of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). "We thank Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Jim Baird for their work on this legislation. Plant biostimulants are a critical tool as farmers look to increase productivity while conserving natural resources. This legislation would create needed certainty by establishing a federal definition for plant biostimulants – an important step in ensuring these innovative tools are broadly available to producers. ASTA looks forward to working with Congress as they consider this key legislation."

"The Humic Products Trade Association (HPTA) would like to thank Reps. Panetta and Baird for reintroducing this legislation," said Russell D. Taylor, President of the Humic Products Trade Association. "This bill provides the language and definitions needed to align FIFRA with the current state of agricultural knowledge and resolve the definition gaps in the existing law. These modifications are desperately needed to help the states establish a clear path to market for humic substances and the biostimulant industry. HPTA supports this bill which will foster conservation and innovation in agriculture."

"I'd like to thank Congressmen Panetta and Baird for reintroducing the "Plant Biostimulant Act," said Rhett Evans, CEO of the Golf Courses Superintendents Association of America. "Plant biostimulants help golf course superintendents provide healthy greenspaces that benefit everyone. This legislation will help ensure golf's access to this valuable product."

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Issues:Agriculture