Letter
Dear Secretary Rollins, Under Secretary Hoskins and Acting Administrator Moore,
With respect to USDA’s recent Federal Register notice (Docket No. APHIS-2025-0409): The undersigned organizations write to highlight the critical importance of USDA’s participation within international venues that are responsible for setting global standards for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures. Continued leadership from the U.S. government in international negotiations is indispensable for defending U.S. agricultural export markets, expanding future trade opportunities, and protecting the ability of U.S. farmers to produce our food. We strongly believe that continued USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) leadership in key international bodies is essential for maintaining U.S. global competitiveness and food security in the face of evolving pests and diseases from around the world.
International, science-based standards serve as the basis for all U.S. trade agreements, including under bilateral agreements and the multilateral obligations adopted by the World Trade Organization (WTO). For many important U.S. exports, including planting seeds, grains, oilseeds, fresh fruits and vegetables, and ornamental plants, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) writes the global “rules of the road” for science-based, phytosanitary standards that dictate how exports move around the world. The IPPC coordinates international efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive pests that threaten agriculture, ensures that plant health measures are not misused as unjustified trade barriers against U.S. agricultural exports, and provides a framework for resolving disputes between trading partners when disagreements arise over plant health requirements. Continued U.S. leadership in these standard setting activities facilitates market access for major U.S. commodities and protects U.S. farmers from invasive species that could significantly reduce yields, disrupt supply chains, and undermine U.S. agricultural production.
In parallel, the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) serves as the regional plant protection organization for the United States, Canada, and Mexico and facilitates safe and predictable trade within North America. By harmonizing science-based, phytosanitary standards between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, NAPPO reduces unnecessary trade barriers, minimizes shipment delays and rejections, and establishes clear, regionally agreed requirements for the movement of plants and plant products. This coordination supports billions of dollars in agricultural trade for U.S. farmers, exporters, and rural communities.
In the animal health arena, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) plays an equally critical role in establishing science-based international standards that govern trade in live animals, meat, poultry, dairy, genetics, and other animal products. APHIS participation and leadership within WOAH ensures that global animal health standards reflect the latest scientific evidence, are risk-based, and are not misused to impose unjustified sanitary barriers on U.S. exports. For U.S. producers and processors of beef, pork, poultry, dairy products, and other animal-derived goods, WOAH standards often serve as the benchmark for import requirements and disease status determinations that directly affect market access. Active engagement by APHIS safeguards U.S. recognition for animal disease status, supports rapid and science-based responses to emerging and transboundary diseases, and helps prevent trading partners from adopting overly restrictive or non-science-based measures that could disrupt billions of dollars in U.S. animal product trade. Sustained U.S. leadership at WOAH is therefore essential to protecting animal health, ensuring the integrity and competitiveness of U.S. meat and animal product exports, and reinforcing confidence in the safety of the U.S. food supply.
Without a strong and consistent U.S. voice in these institutions, there is a real risk that other countries will establish international standards in a manner that conflict with U.S. priorities, potentially creating burdensome or misaligned requirements for American farmers and companies operating globally. We appreciate your attention to the importance of sustained U.S. engagement in the IPPC, NAPPO, and WOAH, and we encourage USDA to continue dedicating the necessary resources to ensure that USDA experts can continue to engage in person in these negotiations. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to strengthening U.S. agricultural trade.
Sincerely,
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Seed Trade Association
American Soybean Association
Animal Health Institute
Corn Refiners Association
CropLife America
Flavor & Extract Manufacturers Association
Food and Agriculture Export Alliance
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Leather & Hide Council of America
National Association of State
Departments of Agriculture
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Farmers Union
National Fisheries Institute
National Grain and Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Sorghum Producers
National Turkey Federation
North American Export Grain Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Pet Food Institute
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
