BIO supports the Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA) (S. 1251/H.R. 2820), which will foster sustainability and economic resiliency in agriculture and preserve America’s rich environmental diversity.

In recent years, America’s position as the global leader in new technologies has come under attack. As countries race to secure access to these technologies, governments are working to weaken global rules and international organizations, instead of investing in innovation. BIO recommends several foreign policy actions that will restore our standing as a global leader on biotechnology, enhance economic growth and job creation, and lay the groundwork for leveraging science and American innovation to solve society’s biggest and most pressing challenges.

Because of the integration of the North American economies, enabled by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and recently confirmed through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the agricultural markets of U.S. and Mexico are inseparably linked. Unfortunately, Mexico’s treatment of innovative biotech products is undermining the development and deployment of technologies critical to sustainably feeding the world and addressing climate change.

Innovations in animal biotechnology can improve human and animal health, make our farming and food systems more sustainable, and boost our bioeconomy. But these breakthroughs are dependent on a clear, timely, and science based regulatory approval process that provides a viable path to market.

BIO supports the Growing Climate Solutions Act (GCSA), which will support America’s farmers, ranchers, and foresters who want to adopt innovative practices that combat climate change, while continuing to provide the world with food, feed, and fiber. 

Government and industry must do more to build an informed and trust-based dialogue about biotechnology innovation in food and agriculture and its potential to achieve greater outcomes for the planet, our food system and human well-being.

Transportation emits more greenhouse gases than any other sector. Thanks to biotechnology, however, we can decarbonize all modes of transportation—air, land and sea—using sustainable sources like plants and waste.

Incentivizing the development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) can assist the hard-hit airline industry, clean up the environment, improve human health, and boost the economy.

Our obsession with plastics is harming our planet—from pollution in our oceans to emissions from production. Biotechnology is creating plastic alternatives—often called bioplastics—that reduce environmental impact by using renewable chemicals made from plants and other sustainable sources.

Animal biotechnology has enormous potential to address several agricultural, environmental, humanitarian, and public health challenges. In order for these solutions to be realized, the U.S. must act now and develop a sensible, science-based regulatory approval process that provides these technologies with a viable path to market.

For the benefits of sustainable fuels to be realized, Congress must establish policies that support the advancement of the industry. 

Supportive policy will help reduce environmental impact from several sectors by driving investment and consumption of renewable chemicals and biobased products.

Biotechnology enables consumers to choose everyday products for their home with natural, sustainable and renewable chemical ingredients.

The history of selecting animals such as cows, chickens, and pigs with improved genetics has provided  steady  improvement to their sustainability, welfare and disease resistance.

The history of selecting plants with improved genetics has provided steady improvements including increased yields while using fewer resources and greater resistance to disease and pests.

The ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to outbreaks of infectious diseases depends on an improved understanding of the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health.

Global barriers to agricultural innovation are denying U.S. farmers access to the latest tools of biotechnology.

First introduced in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, the Farm Bill’s energy title programs support investment in and adoption of renewable energy, renewable chemicals and energy efficiency technologies through research, consumer education, market development programs, and financial grants and loan guarantees.

By requiring annually increasing volumes of biofuel and displacing petroleum, the Renewable Fuel Standard builds rural prosperity as it increases U.S. energy security and improves environmental health.

Rather than provide long-term certainty to the advanced and cellulosic biofuels industry, Congress has extended tax credits for the industry on a year-to-year basis. As a result, few companies make efficient use of these tax credits because they cannot predict their availability at the beginning of each year.

The strength and success of America’s economy increasingly depends on our ability to innovate and provide technological solutions.

BIO estimates a direct U.S. economic impact of $205 billion and 1.665 million jobs from biobased manufacturing.