Jun 2, 2022

US Bill Would Streamline Development of Biostimulants

U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-California) and Rep. Jim Baird (R-Indiana), recently introduced the Plant Biostimulant Act to Congress.

The legislation would create a uniform process for approving commercial plant biostimulant use and require more federal research on the technology’s benefits for soil health, according to a news release from Panetta’s office. Currently, there isn’t a consistent and predictable path to market for plant biostimulants. This legislation would help remedy that problem with federal guidance from the EPA and USDA.

Among the industry groups supporting the bill are the Humic Products Trade Association, the Biological Products Industry Alliance, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization and the American Seed Trade Association, according to the news release.

AmericanHort wrote in a newsletter that Plant Biostimulant Act would:

“Establish a uniform national definition for “plant biostimulant”;
“Establish a definition for nutritional chemical;
“Amend the definition for a vitamin hormone product;
“Require the U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) to review and revise existing Code of Federal regulations to include this new plant biostimulant definition;
“Amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to exclude plant biostimulants from being regulated under the Act;
“Require USDA to study how plant biostimulant products can contribute to soil health.”

Above, Panetta, left, and Baird.