Soy growers stress that increased collaboration and U.S. agriculture assistance with any global development programming undertaken by the U.S. government is key to help Congress shape global food security legislation.

The American Soybean Association (ASA) and the Ag Coalition Working Group sent a letter last week to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasizing the importance for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. ag industry to be at the center of any whole-of-government strategy for international agricultural development.

The letter specifically requests codifying the role of the U.S. agricultural system, including USDA, land grant institutions and the private sector in global food security legislation.

ASA is closely involved in the effort to promote agricultural development in programs administered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and USDA. ASA has worked closely with Sens. Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Pat Roberts (KS) on legislative strategies, developing the ag coalition with other farm groups, ag-based foundations and organizations that implement overseas development programs and raising the priority of giving agriculture a seat at the table in any whole-of-government approach to international development that Congress may consider.

Click here to read the entire letter.