Rep. Schrier Introduces Bill to Streamline Regulation, Support Farmers, Ranchers, and Dairy Producers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act of 2023 (Innovative FEED Act). This bipartisan legislation would update FDA processes to create a more efficient approval process for livestock feed additives. Representative Schrier is joined in introducing this legislation by Representatives Greg Pence (IN-06), Angie Craig (MN-02), and Jim Baird (IN-04).  

Feed additives are an important tool for American farmers, as they play a crucial role in ensuring livestock health, improving productivity, and reducing the presence of pathogens like salmonella and E. coli. While innovation in feed additives has increased significantly in recent years, FDA regulatory processes have remained the same. This discrepancy has left the door open for new products to be stuck in a prolonged approval process. The subsequent lack of access to innovative feed additives is detrimental to American farmers, especially as other countries have already made similar changes to their regulatory process.  

To resolve this issue, the Innovative FEED Act would:   

• Create a new category of animal feeds named “zootechnical animal food substances” and define them as substances that only act within the gastrointestinal tract of animals to lower food pathogens, reduce byproducts from animals, or affect their gut microbiome. 
• Make clear that zootechnical animal food substances would be regulated within FDA’s existing Food Additive Petition (FAP) process for market approval, rather than the New Animal Drug Application process, saving innovators significant time and money to market. FAP requires FDA to review the safety and efficacy of these substances before market authorization. 
• Spur more innovation in feed products that can provide American farmers with more tools to help nourish their animals and support farmers’ profitability. 

The approach of this legislation is broadly consistent with the regulatory approaches of other countries, thereby creating a level playing field for American innovators and farmers.  

“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 secure,” said Rep. Schrier. “Some additives even reduce methane emissions from cows and can have an outsized impact on greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation makes much needed updates to the FDA’s regulatory process that will improve animal health, reduce emissions, and support American farms.   

“As a farmer-owned co-op representing hundreds of family farms across the Northwest, we are always interested in measures that make it easier for farmers to raise their animals in ways that are better for the environment, farm operations, and the animals themselves,” said Allan Huttema, dairy farmer and Darigold Chairman and interim CEO.  “That support very much includes an interest in emerging products like feed additives already approved and used in major milk producing countries around the world.  We appreciate this bipartisan effort to improve the FDA’s process for reviewing and approving these important products. I hope that the full House will join Representatives Schrier, Pence, Baird, and Craig by showing support for our nation’s dairy farmers and back the Innovative FEED Act and ensure that it is enacted into law.” 

This legislation is supported by Darigold, Elanco Animal Health, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the National Milk Producers Federation, Northwest Dairy Association, the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, and the Environmental Defense Fund.