Letter
Dear Chairman Heinrich and Ranking Member Hoeven,
We write to you today to urge you to include full and adequate funding for the U.S. Codex Office (USCO) in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Agriculture-Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill. As a representative of the U.S. food and agriculture sector, the USCO plays an instrumental role in advocating and developing science and risk-based food standards on behalf of farmers, ranchers, and the food industry to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade worldwide.
The USCO has a valued voice in various multilateral institutions, including the World Trade Organization, Codex Alimentarius Commission among others. At a time when global food security and our global food system remain a top priority, it is imperative the U.S. prioritize all tools necessary to promote transparency and science at an international level, including the USCO.
A lack of financial support for the USCO would hamper our nation’s ability to engage on critical multilateral issues that affect all Americans as well as the greater global population. Therefore, it is imperative the USCO receives full and adequate funding for FY 2024.
Specifically, we urge your subcommittee to set funding levels in line with, or above, FY 2023 levels at $4.8 million. This funding would account for USCO’s core functions that are mission critical to U.S. trade and global competitiveness, including day-to-day operations, written submissions, routine meetings, and other activities.
Thank you for your consideration of this matter and for supporting the USCO and other critical U.S. government agencies.
Sincerely,
American Bakers Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Feed Industry Association
American Frozen Food Institute
American Seed Trade Association
American Soybean Association
Animal Health Institute
Biotechnology Innovation Organization
Calorie Control Council
Consumer Brands Association
Corn Refiners Association
Council for Responsible Nutrition
CropLife America
Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S.
Fisheries Institute
Flavor & Extract Manufacturers Association
Food and Agriculture Export Alliance
Fresh Produce Association of the Americas
Independent Bakers Association
International Dairy Foods Association
International Food Additives Council
International Fresh Produce Association
Meat Import Council of America
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
National Association of Wheat Growers
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
National Confectioners Association
National Corn Growers Association
National Cotton Council
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Grain and Feed Association
National Milk Producers Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Turkey Federation
North American Meat Institute
North American Millers’ Association
Northwest Horticultural Council
Refrigerated Foods Association
SNAC International
Sweetener Users Association
United States Peanut Federation
U.S. Apple Association
U.S. Dairy Export Council
USA Poultry & Egg Export Council
USA Rice
Wine Institute
Cc: The Honorable Patty Murray, Chair, U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
The Honorable Susan Collins, Vice Chair, U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
