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Agriculture Sees Increases in FY 2017 Appropriations

The Agriculture appropriations portion of the Omnibus focuses investments in programs that bolster U.S. agriculture, support rural communities, maintain and promote food and drug safety, and provide nutrition for those in need. [Source: House Appropriations Committee]

In total, the bill allows for $153.4 billion in both discretionary and mandatory funding - $16 billion below the previous Administration's request and $12.8 billion above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. This net increase is related to mandatory spending outside the Committee's jurisdiction. Discretionary funding alone provided by the bill is $20.88 billion, $623 million below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $349 million below the previous Administration's request.

Agricultural Research - The bill provides $2.89 billion for agriculture research programs, including the Agricultural Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This funding will support research to help mitigate and stop devastating crop diseases, improve food safety and water quality, increase production, and combat antimicrobial resistance. This funding also includes important research investments in U.S. land-grant colleges and universities. Included in this level is a $25 million increase for USDA's premier competitive research program - the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative. The bill also includes $5 million for a pilot program to enhance farming and ranching opportunities for military veterans.

Animal and Plant Health - The legislation includes $949 million - $45 million above the previous Administration's budget request and $51.8 million above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level - for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. This funding will support programs to help control or eradicate plant and animal pests and diseases that can be crippling to U.S. producers. The increase will help address harmful outbreaks of citrus greening and emergency preparedness and response to deal with such devastating diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza. In addition, the bill provides increases for other high priority areas such as specialty crop pests and zoonotic disease management.

Food Safety and Inspection Service - The legislation includes over $1 billion for food safety and inspection programs - an increase of $17.2 million above the 2016 enacted level. These mandatory inspection activities help ensure the safety and productivity of the country's $185 billion meat and poultry industry, and keep safe, healthy food on American tables. The funding provided will maintain more than 8,000 frontline inspection personnel for meat, poultry, and egg products at approximately 6,400 facilities across the country.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - The bill provides the FDA with $2.8 billion, an increase of $39 million over the fiscal year 2016 enacted level. Within this total, food safety activities are increased by $35.7 million, and medical product safety activities are increased by $10.9 million. Total funding for the FDA, including revenue from user fees, is $4.67 billion - $23.3 million below fiscal year 2016. The decrease in total funds reflects changes to user fee amounts prior to the reauthorization of user fee programs. Also included is a provision to protect life by prohibiting the FDA from considering or approving any proposals for using human embryos for the purpose of genetic modification.

Read a complete summary of the Omnibus bill here.