USDA Report to Congress

Farm Bill Language “(a) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the President and Congress that identifies any potential regulatory, non-regulatory, and legislative recommendations, including the appropriate-ness of any definitions for plant biostimulant, to ensure the efficient and appropriate review, approval, uniform national labeling, and availability of plant biostimulant products to agricultural producers. (b) CONSULTATION.-The Secretary shall prepare the report required by subsection (a) in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the several States, industry stakeholders, and such other stakeholders as the Secretary deter- mines necessary. (c) PLANT BIOSTIMULANT.-For the purposes of the report under subsection (a), the Secretary- (1) shall consider "plant biostimulant" to be a substance or micro-organism that, when applied to seeds, plants, or the rhizosphere, stimulates natural processes to enhance or benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, or crop quality and yield; and (2) may modify the description of plant biostimulant, as appropriate." Clarifying Report Language, included in the Farm Bill states: "The Managers recognize the importance of plant biostimulants as an emerging technology for production agriculture. The Managers intend for the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with Administrator of the EPA, States, and relevant stakeholders, to provide a report to Congress that identifies any potential regulatory, non- regulatory, and legislative recommendations, including the appropriateness of any definitions for plant biostimulants. The Managers intend for this report to facilitate the regulatory framework for plant biostimulant products and ensure the efficient and appropriate review, approval, uniform national labeling, and availability of these products to agricultural producers

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