FY 2021 Ag Appropriations Bill

July 9, 2020

This week, the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee approved a FY 2021 spending bill. Total discretionary funding in the legislation is $23.98 billion, an increase of $487 million above the FY 2020 enacted level. In total, the bill allows for $153 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding, an increase of $331 million above the FY 2020 enacted level.

The Agriculture Appropriations bill funds important food and agriculture programs that support animal health programs, agricultural trade, nutrition programs, and rural development. The bill provides funding for the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Agriculture Research Service (ARS) for programs that help eradicate and mitigate devastating diseases. The FY 2021 bill provides a $491,000 increase in funding for avian health within APHIS.

UEP worked closely with some of the livestock associations in DC to secure language that modernizes product labeling to prevent misleading labeling and consumer confusion.

Plant Product Labeling

The Committee notes the increase of plant-based products labeled and marketed with meat, dairy, eggs, seafood and other animal food product terminology that may be advertised as a more healthful alternative to conventional animal-based food products. Such representations may cause consumer confusion. As FDA works to modernize standards of identity and evaluate related product labeling, the Committee directs the Commissioner to consult with FSIS to prevent misleading labeling of these food products that do not contain any animal-based ingredients and to continue to engage with stakeholders and the public on this issue.