[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 427 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 427

     Encouraging the Department of Agriculture to lead efforts, in 
partnerships with States, localities, universities, and various farming 
 and ranching groups, to prepare for the disruptive transformation of 
                    the entire agriculture industry.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 20, 2021

 Mr. Schweikert submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                    to the Committee on Agriculture

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                               RESOLUTION


 
     Encouraging the Department of Agriculture to lead efforts, in 
partnerships with States, localities, universities, and various farming 
 and ranching groups, to prepare for the disruptive transformation of 
                    the entire agriculture industry.

Whereas the world's population is expected to reach 7.8 billion people in 2021;
Whereas demographic trends point to an estimated 10.9 billion people on Earth by 
        2100;
Whereas as populations grow and urbanization expands, rural and agricultural 
        land decreases;
Whereas climate change over the coming decades will increase the 
        unpredictability of weather patterns for crops and water supply;
Whereas advances in discovering genetic diversity in plants allow for an 
        increase in plant species diversification, which can provide immunity 
        against diseases that could cause entire plant species to die out;
Whereas recent breakthroughs in photosynthesis in certain plant species raise 
        the possibility of increasing crop yields on less land;
Whereas biotechnology, including gene-editing and CRISPR, synthetic biology, and 
        other modern techniques are imperative for crops to survive a changing 
        climate and increasing productivity on less arable land with less water 
        to meet a growing world population;
Whereas science has proven countless times that such foods are safe for human 
        and animal consumption;
Whereas the Department of Agriculture and various academic institutions have 
        focused on research and development of innovative biotechnologies;
Whereas outreach and education to farmers growing such crops remain imperative; 
        and
Whereas expanding acceptance for gene-edited crops is necessary, including for 
        cross-border trade and consumption: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) encourages the Department of Agriculture to lead 
        efforts, in partnerships with States, localities, universities, 
        international partners and organizations, and various farming 
        and ranching groups, to prepare for the future transformation 
        of the agriculture industry;
            (2) continues to promote the safety and effectiveness of 
        biotechnology in agriculture, including the science behind this 
        safety; and
            (3) promotes biotechnology and other modern technologies 
        that will have positive effects for the climate and natural 
        carbon solutions.
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