The BPIA Government Affairs Committee (GAC) held the first BPIA Capitol Hill Day of 2018. GAC members spent the day at the United States Senate introducing BPIA and biological products including biopesticides and biostimulants to Congressional staff.

GAC members met with the offices of the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL), Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

During the meetings, BPIA asked that the Senate bring the Pesticide Registration Enhancement Act (PREA) to the Senate floor before the program’s current authorization under the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) expires on March 23. See BPIA’s PREA/PRIA talking points here.

BPIA also asked for support for inclusion of the proposed definition of biostimulants in the next Farm Bill. See the joint association letter to Chairman Roberts here.

The GAC greatly appreciates the efforts of the BPIA members who participated in this Capitol Hill Day, especially those who came from out of town. We encourage all BPIA members to participate in future BPIA Capitol Hill Days.