Washington, D.C. March 10, 2025. More than 300 organizations have sent a letter to health, agriculture and environmental leaders in D.C. calling for sound science and data to be used by the Make America Healthy Again Commission in upcoming evaluations for products essential to food and agriculture. The letter specifically focuses on the importance of pesticides, biotechnology, and food and feed ingredients for farmers and consumers, and it also highlights the ways in which these products are already robustly regulated to ensure their safe use.

Pesticides are called out by the signatories as being essential to protect crops and ensure U.S. consumers can continue to access a safe, abundant and affordable food supply. Biotechnology is important for improving crop yields and sustainability while also improving nutritional outcomes for consumers. Food and feed products are subject to a robust regulatory framework to certify any ingredients permitted for food use are safe for consumers. If access to any of these products is undermined, it could result in higher food costs for consumers or a greater reliance on foreign imports that may be less safe.

“We have long been supporters of quality, science-based regulation to ensure that the products we provide consumers are safe, healthy and nutritious,” said Caleb Ragland, American Soybean Association president and Kentucky soy farmer. “We’re pleased to discuss the long track record of safety around the products we use and the food we grow on our farms. However, it is essential we continue to use credible science and evidence in regulating these products so we can continue to provide safe, affordable food to the American people and consumers around the world,” said Ragland.

Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode weighed in, stating, “We strongly support public health initiatives based on a science- and risk-based analysis of the entirety of the evidence. Government actions based on urban legend are a disservice to public health and consumer trust. Failing to base government actions on the totality of the scientific record would undermine President Trump’s efforts to limit grocery costs for consumers."

“The vegetable-based protein and oils produced by NOPA members support a healthy, balanced and affordable diet, backed by decades of research and analysis. We welcome the opportunity presented by the Make America Healthy Again Commission for an informed dialogue on our industry’s contributions to a healthier America and continued support for a science and risk-based food policy that does not discriminate against ingredients that have long been a cornerstone of modern nutrition and our farm economy,” said Devin Mogler, NOPA president and CEO.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said, “Farmers and ranchers share the goal of advancing the health of Americans. We’re always looking for ways to do better, but meaningful discussions must reflect the years of sound science, technology and innovation that has enabled farmers to grow a safe and abundant food supply for America’s families.”

The letter was sent to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. It also discusses the importance of retaining quality data standards to prevent misleading or outlier studies from reducing access to much-needed products. The signers expressed openness to working with the Make America Healthy Again Commission on the shared goal of improving health outcomes for all Americans.

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The American Soybean Association represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues important to the soybean industry. ASA has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and nearly 500,000 soybean farmers. More information at soygrowers.com.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is the national advocate for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Just as the work of feeding our nation begins on the farm, we believe that’s where the policy that shapes agriculture should begin as well. Every year, Farm Bureau members in more than 2,800 counties meet to discuss and vote on policies affecting their farms, ranches and communities. Those policies then set the agenda for their state Farm Bureaus and ultimately AFBF. To learn more, go to fb.org.

The Corn Refiners Association is the national trade association representing the corn refining industry of the United States. CRA and its predecessors have served this important segment of American agribusiness since 1913. Corn refiners manufacture sweeteners, starch, advanced bioproducts, corn oil and feed products from corn components such as starch, oil, protein and fiber.

Organized in 1930, the National Oilseed Processors Association represents the U.S. soybean, canola, flaxseed, safflower seed and sunflower seed-crushing industries. NOPA’s membership is engaged in the processing of oilseeds for meal and oil that are utilized in the manufacturing of food, feed, renewable fuels and industrial products. Our 18 members operate over 70 U.S. soybean and softseed solvent extraction plants across 21 states, crushing approximately 97% of all soybeans processed in the United States, the equivalent to more than 2 billion bushels annually. Learn more at NOPA.org.