Velázquez Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Increase Representation for U.S. Territories in Agricultural Policy

Washington, D.C.— Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced the bipartisan Agricultural Representation for the United States Territories Act, which provides representation to the agricultural interests of the five U.S. territories on the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory (NAREEE). All five of the territorial delegates are original cosponsors of this legislation: Rep. Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands), Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan (D-Northern Mariana Islands), Rep. James Moylan (R-Guam), Rep. Jennifer González Colón (R-Puerto Rico), and Rep. Aumua Amata Radewagen (R-American Samoa).
 
The NAREEE Board represents specific categories of U.S. agricultural stakeholders and advises the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Congress on top priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension, and economics. The Board significantly impacts U.S. agricultural policy by compiling and consolidating the input from a wide range of stakeholders.
 
U.S. territories face a range of unique challenges related to agricultural development and food security. The U.S. territories import between 70 to 90 percent of their food at a high cost to residents, experience higher vulnerability to extreme weather events, which in turn increases the dependency on food imports, and face significant barriers to participating in Federal agricultural programs.
 
The bill seeks to create a path forward for the agricultural development of the territories by providing them with representation on the NAREEE Board.
 
“As it stands, millions of U.S. citizens living in the territories face a unique set of challenges related to agricultural development and food security that states on the mainland don’t,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “These issues must be reflected and addressed in USDA policy decisions. This bipartisan legislation will help accomplish that by uplifting the territories’ challenges and helping the federal government better understand the barriers that hinder agricultural development in these locations.”

“Roughly 90 percent of Guam's food is imported. This can make Guam vulnerable to disruptions in the supply chain and create food insecurity. I want to thank my colleague in Congress for introducing a bill that addresses our unique challenges associated with agricultural development and food security in the territories," said Rep. James Moylan.

“This bill includes a representative to NAREEE’s Advisory Board who can voice the needs and challenges of the food and agricultural sector in the U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico. Having a representative who can provide data-driven recommendations and information to the board may lead to tools and resources to strengthen food security, boost agricultural research and education, and enhance capabilities. As such, I am proud to join my colleague Rep. Velázquez in introducing the Agricultural Representation for the United States Territories Act in support of farmers and producers living in the U.S. territories,” said Rep. Jenniffer González-Colón.

“The territories have many unique challenges that the rest of the country does not face – and the loss of a single growing season, like American Samoa faced after Cyclone Gita, has dramatic consequence for our populations. I want to thank Congresswoman Velazquez on her leadership on this bill increasing agricultural input for the territories,” said Rep. Amata.

“I commend Congresswoman Velázquez for her leadership to ensure agricultural interests in the Marianas and other U.S. insular areas are well represented, when it comes to decision-making by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and by Congress. When we invest in furthering the economic development and security of the U.S. insular areas in this way, we invest in greater opportunities and prosperity for the nation as a whole," said Rep. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan

“As the representative to Congress from the Virgin Islands, I am keenly aware of the significant and enduring agricultural challenges and concerns faced by our constituencies, including food security, climate change and the lack of considerable support for our farmers who may seek to participate in Federal agricultural programs. The straightforward provisions contained in the bipartisan Agricultural Representation for the United States Territories Act will not only contribute to building a clear path forward at the federal level for the agricultural development of U.S. territories, but will also give us a voice at the table and ensure equitable representation of our territories on the NAREE Advisory Board. I am proud to stand with my colleagues as a co-sponsor of this very timely bill,” said Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett.

"The Climate Strong Islands Network (CSIN) applauds Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and all five of the territorial delegates for their attention on this important issue. U.S. islands have unique agricultural needs due to their geographies, populations, and susceptibility to natural disasters. The inclusion of a territory representative on the NAREE board would ensure island specific needs are being met by USDA and would allow island communities to develop shared models and best practices for their unique geographic circumstances. Strengthening island agriculture programs will help ensure island communities have consistent access to food, especially during and after natural disasters, and will ultimately help islands become more self-reliant and climate resilient."

This bill is also cosponsored by: Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL), Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY).

 
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