Joyce Introduces FARM to TABLE Act

Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) recently introduced H.R. 7102, the Fixing America's Regulatory Mess To Facilitate Agricultural Byproducts and Livestock Expedited Delivery (FARM to TABLE) Act, which will strengthen our nation's food supply chain and reduce regulatory burdens on food suppliers, producers, and transporters.

"During the coronavirus crisis, all of us have been reminded of the vital need for a reliable food supply chain. Despite unprecedented challenges, our nation's farmers, producers, and transporters persevered to ensure that healthy food reached Americans' tables. The FARM to TABLE Act will reduce regulatory burdens for those who are working hard to fulfill our supply chain from farm to table and help food reach American families faster. Thank you to the farmers, producers, truck drivers, and everyone who has stepped up to meet the supply chain needs of our communities during this crisis," said Dr. Joyce.

The FARM to TABLE Act would ensure that transporters' hours-of-service rules are consistent year-round and across state lines, reducing regulatory burdens in the supply chain. Dr. Joyce's legislation has garnered the support of agriculture leaders and the community.

"Milk is a highly perishable commodity that travels from the farm to the plant every day, all year long. It's important to maintain a flexible regulatory climate for milk hauling, as milk now moves over much longer distances. We thank Rep. Joyce for his measure to ensure that this flexibility applies year-round," said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation

"The American Trucking Associations' Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference and the National Grain and Feed Association greatly appreciate U.S. Rep. John Joyce's leadership on the FARM to TABLE Act, which would alleviate agricultural transportation constraints, help U.S. agriculture remain competitive in domestic and global markets, and enable the U.S. agriculture industry to continue to contribute positively to global food security and the nation's economic growth," reads a statement from the American Trucking Associations' Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference and the National Grain and Feed Association.

The legislation already has garnered the support of 66 agriculture organizations, including: Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference, Agricultural Retailers Association, Agriculture Transportation Coalition, American Cotton Shippers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Forest andamp; Paper Association, American Honey Producers Association, American Seed Trade Association, American Sugar Alliance, California Grain and Feed Association, Consumer Brands Association, Corn Refiners Association, Cotton Warehouse Association of America, Grain and Feed Association of Illinois, Hardwood Federation, Institute of Shortening and Edible Oils, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Michigan Agri-Business Association, Minnesota Grain and Feed Association, Missouri Agribusiness Association, National Aquaculture Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Cotton Ginners Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Grain and Feed Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Pork Producers Council, National Potato Council, National Sorghum Producers, National Sunflower Association, Nebraska Grain and Feed Association, North American Millers' Association, North Dakota Grain Dealers Association, Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance, Ohio AgriBusiness Association, Pacific Northwest Grain and Feed Association, Pet Food Institute, Renew Kansas Biofuels Association, Rocky Mountain Agribusiness Association, South Texans' Property Rights Association, South Texas Cotton andamp; Grain Association, Southwest Council of Agribusiness, Specialty Soya andamp; Grains Alliance, Tennessee Feed and Grain Association, Texas Corn Producers Association, Texas Deer Association, Texas Grain and Feed Association, Texas Irrigation Council, Texas Poultry Federation, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association, The Fertilizer Institute, The National Grange, United Fresh Produce Association, USA Dry Pea andamp; Lentil Council, USA Rice, U.S. Apple Association, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc., U.S. Dry Bean Council, Wisconsin Agri-Business Association.

Background:
Congressman Joyce represents the 13th Congressional District, which is home to more than 8,000 farms, including nearly a quarter of the dairy cows in Pennsylvania. During his tenure in Congress, Dr. Joyce has been an advocate for Pennsylvania's farmers and agriculture producers.

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