Concise group statement pasted below. Complements and reinforces the Letter sent by CP2C co-chairs Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Alcee Hastings (D-FL) and 21 other Members to House Ag Approps leadership. That effort was endorsed and supported by P2 and other groups.
Deadline for outside testimony: Senate-noon, March 30, and House-noon, April 13.
Who can sign? National, State and Local Organizations.
Respond directly, with organization name as you would like it to be listed, or go to https://goo.gl/forms/gbCry74C0OvuOX1j2.
You can also help by spreading the word to other organizations that may be interested.
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Dear Chairman Hoeven and Ranking Member Merkley: (Senate-March 30)
Dear Chairman Aderholt and Ranking Member Bishop: (House-April 13)
The undersigned strongly urge you to provide robust funding in the Fiscal Year 2019 Agricultural Appropriations bill for federal pollinator-related programs. Specifically, please appropriate adequate funding for the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), National Institutes of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
Pollinators are vital to our nation’s economy and ecosystem, contributing nearly $20 billion to the nation’s economy and supporting one out of every three bites of food we eat. The significant decline in commercial honey bees and native pollinator populations has been well documented.
These USDA agencies are undertaking several extensive and long-term research initiatives and are leading efforts to foster private industry and researcher collaboration and utilize input from stakeholders in ongoing efforts to help develop effective solutions.
Congress has been engaged and supportive on a bipartisan basis on this vital issue, and continued funding support is essential.
Thank you for your consideration of this important request.
Sincerely,
