Where things stand

USDA is seeking input on “climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy”—and BIO’s on it. We also have positive headlines from BIO members working on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics as well as news from the Capitol. (859 words, 4 minutes, 17 seconds)

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Where things stand

USDA seeks input on climate

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting input on a “climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy”—and BIO’s on it.

USDA is soliciting stakeholder input on four topics: climate-smart agriculture and forestry; biofuels, bioproducts, and renewable energy; catastrophic wildfire; and meeting the needs of disadvantaged communities.

“We want your ideas on how to position the agriculture and forestry sectors to be leaders on climate smart practices to mitigate climate change,”said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “This includes making the most of USDA programs, developing new USDA-led climate strategies, strengthening existing markets, and developing new markets that generate income.”

This is a step towards implementing President Biden’s executive order on climate, which focused on optimizing federal programs to reduce carbon and create new sources of income and jobs for rural Americans, among other goals.

“To meet climate change commitments, it is crucial to lead with science and U.S. innovation,” BIO has said. “We must incentivize the adoption of innovative and sustainable technologies and practices and streamline and expedite regulatory pathways for breakthrough technology solutions.”

BIO has long championed the advancement of biotechnologies to respond to the climate crisis. In fact, this year alone:

BIO sent a letter to President Biden pledging to work with the administration on climate and suggesting four specific policy actions, beginning with leveraging the regulatory system to quickly deploy climate-positive biotechnologies.
BIO’s 100 Days of Innovation blueprint calls for driving economic revival and resiliency by incentivizing the adoption of advanced biotechnology solutions, including sustainable agriculture practices. BIO included similar messaging in testimony to House and Senate hearings on climate change.
BIO joined the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) to provide 40+ policy recommendations on how to solve climate change and build resiliency.

The next steps: USDA is accepting public comments until April 30. As the administration continues to take action on climate in the coming months, BIO will continue to lead in explaining the critical role of biotechnology and innovation.

Learn more about how biotech can help us meet our climate policy goals.

BIO's Phyllis Arthur - Women's History Month

Here’s a piece of advice: pursue your passion for science.

Phyllis Arthur, BIO’s VP of Infectious Diseases and Diagnostics Policy, says that’s what she would tell her younger self—and it’s good advice for all young women who find they have an interest in STEM.

Arthur earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and international politics from Goucher College and MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania—but she was always good at science and enjoyed it.

“I would look back and tell myself, you’re going to really enjoy this—it’s one of your passions. You should continue to study it,” she said.

Even without the science degree, Arthur has put her talents to use for patients—and made important contributions to the biotech industry. Over the past year, she has been BIO’s leading voice in the fight against COVID-19. Her long career has included leading marketing and sales teams at Merck where she launched several exciting new vaccines including the first HPV vaccine, GARDASIL.

She joined BIO in 2009; in her current role, she works with member companies in vaccines, molecular diagnostics, and bio-defense on policy, legislative, and regulatory issues.

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