The North American Renderers Association (NARA) was excited to see that several key priorities of the association have been successfully included in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, which advanced through the House Agriculture Committee on May 24.Key wins cited by NARA include:

Doubling of MAP & FMD funding 

NARA said it persistent advocacy has helped to yield a major victory with the doubling of funding for the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) program, as outlined in Section 3201. This increase in funding will greatly enhance NARA’s ability to promote U.S. agricultural products abroad, NARA said. 

Focus on food waste management 

A significant success, NARA said, is the inclusion of provisions related to food waste management in Section 4307. Thanks to NARA's work and collaboration with the House Agriculture Committee, subsections (e) and (f) were specifically incorporated. These sections mandate the USDA Food Loss and Waste Liaison to submit an annual report to Congress detailing activities aimed at avoiding or managing market disruption and summarizing communication and coordination efforts with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).    

Inclusion of rendering in the Butcher Block Act 

The new meat processing grant program established in Section 6305 now explicitly includes rendering activities. Additionally, rendering is specified in the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) workforce training program under Section 7053(D). These inclusions will provide essential support for rendering operations and workforce development, ensuring the continued growth and modernization of the rendering industry, said NARA. 

Codification of USDA authority to negotiate regionalization agreements under the SAFE Act 

Section 12004 of the draft bill codifies USDA's authority to negotiate regionalization agreements, a critical component of the Securing America’s Food Economy (SAFE) Act. This provision will strengthen USDA's capacity to manage animal health emergencies and trade disruptions, thereby protecting the stability and security of the food supply chain. 

NARA said it looks forward to working with both parties and chambers to ensure the inclusion of these provisions in the bill that is ultimately enacted into law. 

NARA represents the interests of the North American rendering industry to regulatory and other governmental agencies, promotes the greater use of animal byproducts, and fosters the opening and expansion of trade between foreign buyers and North American exporters. In addition to its U.S.-based headquarters, the association maintains offices in Mexico and Hong Kong, and has market consultants in strategic locations around the world.