BIO Thanks Senate Agriculture Committee for Passing Farm Bill
The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) today thanked Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and other members of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee for including mandatory funding for Energy Title programs and eligibility for renewable chemicals in Farm Bill reauthorization legislation, which passed today on a 15-5 vote in the committee.
BIO President and CEO Jim Greenwood noted, “Reauthorization of Farm Bill energy programs with robust mandatory funding will help innovative U.S. companies continue to commercialize advanced biotech processes. Putting homegrown technologies to work converting domestic crops and residues to value added products can create high-quality rural jobs, spur economic growth, and improve environmental health. Granting long-overdue eligibility for renewable chemical projects will revive America’s manufacturing sector and improve U.S. economic competitiveness. We thank the members of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, particularly Senators Stabenow and Cochran, for their forward-looking action and will work with them to achieve final passage of this important legislation.”
“We thank Senator Stabenow and Senator Cochran for moving this legislation forward. It will help bio-based manufacturers access vital capital, strengthen market opportunities for biobased products, and spur commercialization of agricultural and industrial biotech innovations”, said Bobby Bringi, Chief Executive Officer of MBI, a Michigan-based not-for-profit company that collaborates with universities and companies to accelerate bio-based technologies to market. “The support for renewable chemicals and biofuels will help build a robust biobased economy that generates good jobs in manufacturing, agricultural production and forestry, transportation and distribution, and construction.”
Steven Bares, President and Executive Director of the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, added, “Renewal of the Farm Bill energy programs and eligibility for renewable chemical will help Mississippi and the entire region continue to build a biobased economy.”
Upcoming BIO Events
World Congress on Industrial Biotechnology
June 16-19, 2013
Montreal, Canada
BIO Investor Forum
October 8-9, 2013
San Francisco, CA
BIO IPCC Conference
November 6-8, 2013
Washington, DC
BIO Convention in China
November 11-13, 2013
Beijing, China
Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology & Bioenergy
December 8-11, 2013
San Diego, CA
BIO CEO & Investor Conference
February 10 – 11, 2014
New York, NY