AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The United States and especially the State of Texas are known for their robust agriculture. A sustainable agricultural system is crucial to the continued production of food, feed, and fiber to meet both domestic and global demand.

 

This resolution is a request that the 84th Legislature express support for the use of sound science to study and regulate such modern agricultural technologies as protection chemistries, genetically engineered or enhanced traits, and nutrients.

 

In the United States, the agriculture and food production industries employ precision farming equipment, crop protection chemistries, genetic engineering or enhancement, agricultural nutrients, and other modern technologies; such advanced practices protect the safety of the public and reduce environmental impact while expanding yields, improving profitability, and ensuring an abundant and affordable food supply.

 

Agricultural pests present significant dangers to the industry and to global supplies of the products they attack; accordingly, the environmental risks of forgoing advances in agricultural technologies that protect crops are severe; excessive regulation may scuttle or discourage the use of agricultural chemicals that could improve human welfare.

 

Crop protection is among the most studied and highly regulated of all industries, at both the state and federal levels; the use of sound science should be the bedrock of our nation's regulatory scheme for the agriculture and food production industries, as these industries are critical to the economic vitality of Texas and the United States.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby express support for the use of sound science to study and regulate such modern agricultural technologies as crop protection chemistries, genetically engineered or enhanced traits, and nutrients.

 

That the senate express opposition to legislative or regulatory action at any level that may result in unnecessary restrictions on the use of modern agricultural technologies.

 

That the Secretary of the Senate forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.