The National Grain and Feed Association thanked the U.S. House of Representatives today for passing the fiscal year 2027 agriculture appropriations bill, which includes several provisions designed to strengthen the reliability and global competitiveness of America’s grain and feed industry.
The legislation addresses key operational challenges that have long concerned grain handlers and feed manufacturers, particularly around service continuity and federal agency coordination.
Contingency planning for inspection services
The bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop and implement a contingency plan ensuring continuity of official grain inspection and weighing services during future disruptions. The provision emphasizes clear operational guidance and stakeholder engagement, including input from export elevators and Officially Designated and Delegated Agencies.
This directive responds to industry concerns about potential service interruptions that could impact the flow of grain through export terminals. Grain inspection and weighing services are essential for maintaining the quality standards that international buyers expect from U.S. agricultural products.
Improved federal coordination
The legislation encourages better coordination between USDA’s Federal Grain Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration to expedite approvals for grain reconditioning plans. This change aims to enhance efficiency at export facilities when grain lots require corrective action.
The bill also underscores the importance of maintaining uninterrupted grain terminal operations as critical to U.S. grain exports, recognizing these facilities as vital infrastructure for the nation’s agricultural economy.
Data reliability measures
Another key provision directs USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service to maintain key reports and surveys while providing advance notice to Congress before making significant changes to data collection programs. The grain industry relies heavily on consistent, reliable market data for pricing and planning decisions.
The legislation also recognizes the importance of the Center for Veterinary Medicine at the FDA to the nation’s food supply by ensuring its operations receive proper resources.
Industry impact
“The House’s passage of the agriculture appropriations bill marks an important step forward for America’s grain and feed industry,” said NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert. “By safeguarding export inspection services, improving federal coordination, and preserving critical market data, the bill supports the industry’s ability to sustain more than one million U.S. grain and feed-related jobs and drive economic growth in America.”
The grain and feed industry has faced ongoing challenges with labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory coordination issues that can slow operations at critical export facilities. These provisions address several of those operational pain points.
Next steps
The NGFA looks forward to continuing work with the Senate as the appropriations process continues. The Senate must still consider and pass its version of the agriculture appropriations bill before the measures can become law.
The House passed the measure by a vote of 213 to 210, with the legislation providing a total discretionary allocation of $26.27 billion for agriculture, rural development, and FDA programs.
