WASHINGTON, DC – On March 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is establishing a new office to “expand engagement opportunities with agricultural and rural communities” through the creation of the EPA Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OARA). The OARA will serve as the primary liaison between EPA and the nation’s rural and agricultural stakeholders and “increase coordination with a network of existing agriculture policy advisors located in all 10 EPA regional offices across the country.”
OARA is intended to provide EPA with a direct link to coordinate closer with other federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and state departments of agriculture. This new office will also host the EPA’s existing Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee (FRRCC), on which Arkansas rice farmer Jennifer James currently serves representing USA Rice.
“Farmers and ranchers are crucial partners as we work together to deliver clean air, clear water, and climate solutions, all while playing the critical role of ensuring an abundant fiber, fuel and food supply,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “With the launch of this new office, we are ensuring agricultural and rural stakeholders will continue to have a seat at the table for many years to come.”
Rod Snyder, EPA’s Senior Advisor for Agriculture, will lead the new office.
“We applaud the EPA for creating the Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and hope that this proves to be a successful collaboration between EPA, agricultural producers, and the other federal and state agencies, ensuring that regulations and guidance from the EPA are practical and science-based,” said David Petter, an Arkansas rice farmer and chair of the USA Rice Regulatory Affairs and Food Safety Committee. "We congratulate Rod Snyder, a longtime friend to the U.S. rice industry, on his appointment as head of the OARA and look forward to continuing to work with him in this new role.”
Read the full press release from EPA
here and more about OARA
here.