Yesterday Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking member Senator John Boozman presented the Republican Framework for the Farm Bill. Please see: [2024-06-11] Boozman Unveils Senate Ag Republicans Framework Answering...

The Framework is very high-level; however, aquaculture is mentioned and for very important topics. Within Title I Commodities:

• Expands access to all standing disaster programs and makes bipartisan improvements to address drought, losses for producers who rely on acequia systems, livestock depredation and accuracy of indemnity rates for livestock and honey-bees, and makes enhancements to the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and the Tree Assistance Program.
• Ensures program eligibility for producers who derive 75% or more of their income from farming, ranching and forestry.
• Establishes clear eligibility for producers of farm-raised fish experiencing economic losses associated with bird depredation under the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm Raised Fish.

In the Title VII Research, Extension and Related Matters this does look promising:

• Directly responds to US-agriculture’s greatest long-term need by doubling Farm Bill research program funding.
• Provides opportunities for new, emerging, and previously neglected priorities in agricultural research and extension.

The National Aquaculture Association recommends members reach out to their Senators and request that they support these provisions. To find your Senators, click here. 

Remember speaking to your Senator’s state offices is just as effective as attempting to contact DC offices.  Ask staff to visit your farm to learn about you, how you produce great farmed aquatic animals or plants, and how the United States can be a contributor to, and not a consumer of, global food supplies.