[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 163 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE STUDY AND REGULATION OF MODERN AGRICULTURAL 
                              TECHNOLOGIES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. K. MICHAEL CONAWAY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 15, 2016

  Mr. CONAWAY. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following:
  Whereas, a sustainable agricultural system is crucial to the 
continued production of food, feed, and fiber to meet both domestic and 
global demand; and
  Whereas, 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; and
  Whereas, 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; and
  Whereas, 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; now, therefore, be it
  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; 
and, be it further
  Resolved, 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; and, be it 
further
  Resolved, 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.

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