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APS Public Policy Actions

The following is a record of official statements APS has recently provided regarding public policy actions.

2018

• Email send to APS Members encouraging comments on relocation of NIFA.
• APS provided comments to USDA on the proposed rule for the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, June 2018.

2017

• APS signed a letter to Congressional leaders to increase the discretionary budget cap and increase the FY2018 Agriculture Appropriations budget (Speaker of the House and House Minority Leader, Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, House Committees, and Senate Committees), December 2017
• APS commented on the Definition of Waters of the United States to the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers, November 2017
• APS supported a letter to the Congressional Ag Committee Leadership detailing 10 policy recommendations for the upcoming Farm Bill October 2017
• APS supported a letter to President Trump expressing concern about the implications of the visa and immigration restrictions October 2017 
• APS PPB signed a letter drafted by APS Council and submitted to Texas Governor affirming APS’s commitment to all people as a response to the anti-transgender “bathroom bill” that was considered, but not passed, by the Texas Legislature August 2017  
• Recognizing the importance of official scientific leadership, APS sent a letter to the White House and a copy to the Secretary of Agriculture requesting the appointment of Director and Associate Directors of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) July 2017
• APS joined with the National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) on letters to Senators Hoeven and Merkeley, and Representatives Aderholt and Bishop, encouraging funding support for the USDA Research, Education and Economics (REE) mission, which includes ARS, ERS, NASS, NIFA and all of the programs within NIFA. June 2017
• APS joined with the National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research (NCFAR) on a letter to Senators Roberts and Stabenow encouraging continued support for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research in the next Farm Bill. June 2017
• APS joined with the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and other organizations in providing comments to Secretary Sonny Perdue on the proposed revisions to the USDA agricultural biotechnology regulations (7 CFR part 340) June 2017
• APS submitted a letter to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) providing comments on the proposed revised regulations for the movement of plant pests, April 2017
• APS submitted a letter to the National Agricultural Statistical Service (NASS) highlighting the importance of the collection of data on on-farm chemical usage and pest crop management practices (Agricultural Chemical Usage Surveys) March 2017     
• APS supported a “Dear Colleague Letter” to the Chair and Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee for FY2018 funding support for the National Science Foundation March 2017
• APS supported a letter to Congressional leaders highlighting the importance of investing in science           
• APS supported a letter to Chairs of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting the rejection of proposed funding reductions in farm bill programs February 2017    
• APS joined with the National Coalition for Food and Agricultural Research on a letter to President-Elect Trump highlighting the importance of investing in food and agricultural science January 2017
• As part of the AFRI Coalition, APS supported a letter to President-Elect Trump highlighting the importance of support AFRI funding January 2017       

2016

• APS supported a letter to Chairs and Ranking members of the Senate and House Committee on Appropriations requesting the inclusion of funds in the Fiscal Year 2017 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to better inform the public about the application of biotechnology to food and agricultural production. September 2016              
• APS supported a letter of input into the National Science Foundation’s Strategic Plan September 2017
• APS submitted a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency providing comments on the “Guidance for Pesticide Registrants on Pesticide Resistance Management Labeling” and “Guidance for Herbicide Resistance Management Labeling, Education, Training and Stewardship” September 2016       
• APS supported a letter to House representatives Rogers, Aderholt, Lowey and Farr requesting the inclusion of funds in the Fiscal Year 2017 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act to better inform the public about the application of biotechnology to food and agricultural production. April 2016
• APS endorsed the Area wide Integrated Pest Management Bill, a bill put forth by Dave Chun, legislative assistant for Congresswoman Gabbard to expand the focus of the NIFA IPM program to include broader geographical area range than just fields. April 2016
• APS supported a letter to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations indicating support for an International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources. April 2016
• APS supported a letter to APHIS requesting a 60-day extension to proposed Environmental Impact Statement on APHIS biotechnology regulations. February 2016

2015

• APS supported the Office of Science and Technology Policy Innovation Statement
• APS supported a letter to the Italian Plant Pathology Society regarding Xylella fastidiosa outbreak on olives 
• Letter to lawmakers concerning limits on conference travel for governement employees April 2015

2012

• Three Leading Scientific Societies Take an Objective Look at the Issues Associated with “Least Toxic Pesticides” Applied as a “Last Resort” November 2012
• APS Signs on to Letter in Support of Federal Employee Travel and Meeting Expenditures October 2012
• A Report on the Plant Science Research Summit October 2012
• Presidential Letter on Food Security and Biotechnology June 2012
• Testimony of the American Phytopathological Society Regarding the FY 2013 funding levels for USDA Research, Extension, and Education Appropriations March 2012
• AFRI Stakeholder Meeting Comments February 2012

2011

• Letter to Governor Dannel P. Malloy regarding budget cuts to the Connecticut Experiment Station (CAES), May 2011
• Letter to USDA Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack related to "Scientific Integrity" and the recommendation regarding professional development of government scientists, March 2011
• Letter to House of Representatives related to AFRI Funding Reduction in FY11, February 2011 
• Letter to USDA APHIS PPQ related to the development of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM), January 2011 

2010

• Letter to USDA APHIS PPQ related to introduction of wood-related invasive pests, September 2010 
• Letter to APHIS on APS's Response to Bienniel Review of Select Agents List, August 2010 Comments from PPB Chair Jan Leach, August 2010
• Letter to Roger Beacher Regarding APS's Comments on FY 2011 AFRI RFAs, June 2010 
• USDA NIFA Stakeholder Meeting APS Comments, April 2010
• USDA NIFA Stakeholder Meeting APS Report, March 2010
• EPA FR Draft Guidance for Pesticide Registrants on Pesticide Drift Labeling, March 2010

• Screening Framework for Synthetic Double-Stranded DNA Providers, January 2010 

2009

• AFRI Funding Recommendations for 2010, April 2009
• USDA Response for Input on Development of NIFA, February 2009

2008

• Senate Letter in Support of Integrated Pest Management Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (ipmPIPE), May 1, 2008

2007

• Letter to USDA Requesting Funding for NASS Agricultural Chemical Usage Surveys, December 19, 2007

2006

• Letter to President Bush Regarding the American Competitiveness Initiative, Signed by APS as Part of the Innovation & Competitiveness Coalition, May 5, 2006
• Letter to Congressman Gordon Urging Balanced Research Portfolio, Signed by APS and 41 Other Related Scientific Societies, February 28, 2006