AIBS has joined a group of 88 organizations in sending a letter to lawmakers asking them to come to an agreement on fiscal year (FY) 2023 funding as soon as possible and to support research programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the final appropriations bill.
“The uncertainty created by short and long-term continuing resolutions has significant negative impacts on the research enterprise,” the groups note. “The food and agriculture enterprise faces unprecedented challenges from extreme weather exacerbated by climate change, to supply chain disruptions and rising food costs resulting from natural and geopolitical events, to adverse health outcomes related to nutrition inequality. Fortunately, the key to addressing many of these challenges lies in strong federal investments in the broad suite of research, education, and extension programs within USDA.”
The letter requests $1.768 billion for the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Research (NIFA), with $500 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), and $1.922 billion for the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The letter also requests at least $2 million in funding for the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA).
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