FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE March 2024 5 da. However, the agency acknowledged that this action is only part of the solution and urges Congress to pass the Innovative FEED Act. HEADING OFF POTENTIAL CRISES IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN Despite recent improvements in the domestic supply chain and a slight decrease in U.S. food prices and inflation, business leaders across the animal food industry continue to express their concerns about the threat of global supply chain disruptions that could impact their ability to deliver products to the marketplace in a timely and affordable way or invest in future research and development. Currently, the association is working with its members to identify where other supply chain stumbling blocks could occur. The AFIA has assembled a task force that is looking at all imported ingredients that are essential for the development of complete animal diets, for example, vitamins or minerals, which are sourced from single suppliers to identify areas of focus for the U.S. federal government as it engages in trade conversations. The task force will also be looking at identifying potential solutions for diversification to enhance the resiliency of the animal food industry. BUILDING MARKET ACCESS ABROAD Under the Biden administration, the AFIA has seen traditional trade agreements eschewed in favor of “economic frameworks,” making it difficult for the industry to maintain or build access in other markets. Through several market access programs administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the AFIA is working to overcome the lack of negotiated free trade agreements by collaborating with the U.S. government to overcome trade barriers and promote U.S. products further in key markets of interest, including China and Vietnam. Using recently awarded funding through the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Market Access Program, the association is facilitating more opportunities for the industry to expand market access and support the export of goods to Vietnam and China. In particular, the AFIA aims to expand the $13.1 billion-worth of animal food industry exports by conveying the benefits (e.g., utility, safety and quality) of American-made animal food products to Vietnamese and Chinese stakeholders looking to improve their animal production and health. In Vietnam, the AFIA is also working to provide pet owners with information about the importance of complete and balanced pet diets for the longevity and health of their pets. 2024 ELECTIONS LOOM With it being a presidential election year, the AFIA acknowledges that any substantive work on Capitol Hill will be limited, but it is urging Congress to forge ahead on enacting a new farm bill. This bill is crucial for securing funding essential for boosting the United States’ agricultural research and development opportunities as well as for blocking foreign animal diseases, investing in infrastructure and fostering opportunities for market growth. The U.S. animal food industry is an over $267 billion sector that touches many industries throughout the food and agricultural value chain at the local, state and national levels. It is imperative that legislators understand how their votes will impact farmers, the U.S. economy and the agriculture industry’s ability to meet future food and sustainability goals.
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