More than 300 organizations, including the Wisconsin Soybean Association, 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, which can be read here, specifically focuses on the importance of pesticides, biotechnology, and food and feed ingredients for farmers and consumers. It also highlights the ways in which these products are already robustly regulated to ensure their safe use. 

Pesticides are highlighted 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 and/or a greater reliance on foreign imports that may be less safe. 

“In Wisconsin, we’re proud to provide food, fuel and fiber throughout our country and the world,” said Tanner Johnson, who represents Wisconsin on ASA. “We also feel it’s crucial that sound science is used when making these critical regulatory decisions on issues that help keep this country’s food prices low and ensure food security not just in this country, but the world.” 

The letter was sent to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. EPA 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. 

“We have long been supporters of quality, science-based regulation to ensure that the products we provide consumers are safe, healthy and nutritious,” said Kentucky farmer Caleb Ragland, American Soybean Association president. “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.”