The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has announced its support for the Safe American Food Exports (SAFE) Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in both chambers of Congress. The legislation aims to safeguard the export of U.S. agricultural products, including livestock, poultry, animal feed, and pet food, in the event of an animal disease outbreak within the country.
The SAFE Act would codify the U.S. Department of Agriculture's authority to negotiate "regionalization agreements" with trading partners. These agreements would allow products from disease-free areas to continue being exported even if an outbreak occurs in another part of the country.
AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman praised the bill's sponsors, emphasizing the critical role of animal-based feed and pet food products in the food supply chain. She stated, "The AFIA strongly backs the SAFE Act, and our members are committed to working alongside the U.S. government to implement proactive measures to help shield our economy from future risks."
The legislation also proposes an early notification system through the USDA's Import and Export Library to quickly inform stakeholders about changes in trade status, minimizing supply chain disruptions.
