A freshly baked Farm Bill landed on the legislative table this week, introduced by Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). The Farm Bill focuses on America’s food systems, and while its title evokes visions of crops and cows, a growing component of these systems relies on ocean and coastal resources.
The Farm Bill authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its initiatives to support farmers and nutrition programs. It’s a hefty, important piece of legislation that is only renegotiated every five years or so. The last Farm Bill was passed in 2018, and existing programs were temporarily extended to give Congress more time to hash out provisions in the next edition.
This latest version is the Senate’s Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act, which is substantively different from the House’s Farm, Food, and National Security Act (H.R.8467). Importantly to our space, both bills aim to advance aquaculture practices—but their approaches diverge, reflecting differing priorities and strategies.
Seafood is increasingly on the “menu” as a Farm Bill priority. Back in April, Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) and 35 other bipartisan Members of Congress submitted a letter to House Agriculture Committee leadership asking them to include Farm Bill language to establish a new USDA Office of Seafood Policy and permit commercial fishermen to access USDA grant and loan programs. In 2023, similar requests were made on the other side of the Capitol by bipartisan seafood-promoting senators, including Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
While the 2024 Farm Bills largely ignore these requests, they do include provisions that would benefit the seafood industry.
The Senate’s Approach: Operational Support
The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act takes a hands-on approach by emphasizing immediate support and direct funding for aquaculture operations. Key initiatives include:
- Aquaculture Liaison: a dedicated position within USDA to streamline interagency collaboration, promote best practices, and provide technical assistance to aquaculture businesses
- Aquaculture Assistance Programs: $15 million annually from fiscal years 2025-2029 for research and extension initiatives focused on sustainability and profitability
- Regional Food Business Centers: targets underserved areas like Alaska and Hawaii, offering technical and logistical support to local seafood producers
- Food Supply Chain Loans and Grants: supports infrastructure upgrades, modern equipment, and market expansion for seafood processors
This operational emphasis aims to empower small-scale producers, promote sustainability, and strengthen rural economies tied to seafood production.
The House’s Vision: Strategic Oversight
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act leans toward regulatory reform and strategic planning to facilitate industry growth. Highlights include:
- Amendments to the National Aquaculture Act: introduces periodic assessments to identify barriers and streamline regulatory processes
- Aquaculture Advisory Committee: establishes a collaborative body to guide federal policy, provide technical assistance, and enhance research strategies
- Annual Reports: mandates evaluations of aquaculture activities to ensure transparency and inform future legislation
- Trade and Market Access: focuses on opening international markets and addressing trade barriers, boosting the global competitiveness of U.S. seafood.
This framework prioritizes policy modernization and long-term planning to position aquaculture as a key component of sustainable food systems.
What’s Next?
As these bills move through Congress, reconciling their provisions will be crucial to shaping the future of U.S. seafood production. Stakeholders in the aquaculture and seafood sectors should remain engaged and ensure their voices are heard in this critical legislative process. Interested in getting involved? Team ESP is here to guide you. Reach out today!
