Government Affairs Committee in Action
Washington, DC, – March 2016 – the BPIA Government Affairs Committee (GAC) held another very successful BPIA Capitol Hill Day. A good mix of BPIA members including small, midsize, and large companies had a full day of meetings on Capitol Hill. The meetings focused on educating legislative staffers in the U.S. House of Representatives regarding the growing biological industry and BPIA. Many of the BPIA members who attended were able to visit with their individual representative’s office.
BPIA members met with Congressional staff in the offices of Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI), House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI), Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY), Rep. Bob Dold (R-IL), Rep. Thomas Massie (R-NY), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), and Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR). During the meetings, BPIA members stressed the importance of reauthorizing the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) and adequately funding the IR-4 Project. Congressional staffers were excited to learn about the new and innovative biological technologies that are being used as part of effective integrated pest management programs.
The GAC greatly appreciates the efforts of all the BPIA members who participated in the Capitol Hill Day, especially since the entire DC Metro System was closed for the day. The GAC plans to organize a similar program in the summer to give other BPIA members the opportunity to help promote awareness in Congress of the many benefits of a vibrant and thriving biological industry.
