AFIA outlines bold 2025-26 policy agenda to bolster US animal feed industry

USA – The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) has unveiled its policy priorities for 2025-26, with a comprehensive agenda aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework, enhancing global trade, and fortifying the national supply chain. 

The announcement was made this week as more than 50 AFIA board members descended on Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers and advocate for policy reforms central to the animal food industry’s growth. 

The new priorities will shape the organisation’s legislative, regulatory, and trade strategies over the next two years.

“Our board leadership and members have put forward robust policy priorities that are crafted to ensure the animal food industry remains competitive in a dynamic and ever-changing regulatory and global trade landscape,” said Constance Cullman, AFIA President and CEO. 

“We are taking a proactive approach to tackling longstanding challenges that impede U.S. animal food manufacturers’ ability to do business and bring innovative animal food solutions to the market, while preparing for emerging issues that could impact the U.S. animal food supply chain in the future.”

The AFIA’s 2025-26 agenda is structured around six key focus areas as highlighted herein:

• Regulatory modernisation and infrastructure investment

AFIA is calling for harmonised state feed regulations, science-based rulemaking, and an overhaul of pet food labelling standards. 

In tandem, the organisation is pushing for infrastructure improvements and workforce development initiatives to bolster supply chain resilience.

• Sustainable feed management

The association supports updated feed management practices and is advocating for standardized life cycle assessment tools in both the U.S. and European Union. These efforts are aimed at enhancing environmental sustainability and aligning international feed practices.

• FDA ingredient review reform

A major legislative priority is the modernization of the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) ingredient review processes. 

AFIA is lobbying for reforms to the Food Additive Petition and the Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) notification pathways to streamline the approval of novel feed ingredients. 

A central piece of this effort is the passage of the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development Act (H.R. 2203), which would help expedite the market entry of ingredients offering non-nutritive benefits like improved gut health, lower emissions, and reduced foodborne pathogens.

• Inspection protocols and international standards

AFIA is urging the adoption of science-based inspection protocols for manufacturing facilities and greater investment in FDA guidance resources. It also plans to actively participate in Codex Alimentarius discussions on acceptable drug residue levels in animal-origin foods.

• Environmental and occupational safety concerns

Responding to regulatory developments, the AFIA is pushing back against what it calls the Environmental Protection Agency’s “unscientific assessment” of formaldehyde. 

The association is also monitoring regulatory trends involving PFAS, microplastics, and workplace safety issues, including OSHA’s evolving standards on heat illness prevention.

• Strengthening global trade and ingredient access

To address ingredient shortages, especially of vitamins and amino acids not produced domestically, the AFIA will intensify efforts to eliminate non-tariff trade barriers and shore up international partnerships. 

It also aims to advocate for increased farm bill funding, support the Securing American Agriculture Act (H.R. 1195/S. 912), and liaise with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on the effectiveness of new export protocols.

These newly released priorities come at a time when feed manufacturers face mounting challenges from supply disruptions, trade uncertainty, and evolving consumer demands.

By prioritising these initiatives, the AFIA is laying the groundwork for a more agile, sustainable, and globally competitive animal food industry in the United States.

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