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BIO Appreciates the Administration’s Commitment to Building a 21st Century Bio-Based Economy

 

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) appreciates the Administration’s commitment to building a 21st Century bio-based economy, as outlined by its support for agricultural and industrial biotechnology in the fiscal year 2014 budget plan. 
 
In particular, BIO’s Food and Agriculture Section applauds the Administration’s support for promoting the role of agricultural biotechnology in fulfilling the nation’s food security objectives and for enhancing America’s ability to develop and trade agricultural products derived from biotechnology while supporting grower choice among all segments of agriculture. BIO appreciates the Administration’s commitment to science-based regulation of agricultural biotechnology by dedicating resources to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Biotechnology Regulatory Services so that the agency can more effectively and efficiently review innovative plant technologies that are valuable to farmers. An additional bright spot in the budget is its increase in research funding within the Agriculture Food and Research Initiative program at USDA. 
 
BIO’s Industrial and Environmental Section thanks the Administration for its commitment to industrial biotechnology. Proposed funding for the Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office, Advanced Manufacturing Office, and Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) will support ongoing research, development and demonstration of game-changing advances in biofuels, renewable chemicals and biobased products, while resources dedicated to the joint drop-in advanced biofuel initiative with the Department of Defense  and the Department of Energy will accelerate the commercial deployment of vital renewable alternatives to commercial and military aviation fuel.
 
We urge Congress to build on these investments in DOE research and development by also funding important Farm Bill energy programs, such as the Biobased Markets Program, Biorefinery Assistance Program, and Biomass Research and Development Program, and by providing long-term extension of expiring advanced biofuel tax incentives.