Post on 17-Aug-2015
USDA BioPreferred Program 2014 Farm Bill Listening Session
March 14, 2014
Ron Buckhalt, Manager, BioPreferred Program
Jeff Goodman, Chief Environmental Management Division
Drivers for Biobased Chemicals • Need for an environmentally,
economically, and socially sustainable economy
• Hedge against the price volatility and supply disruptions of petroleum-based products
• Demand for safer materials that are regulatory compliant
• Consumer desire for more sustainable products and reduction in fossil fuel use
Drivers for Biobased Chemicals • New technology development
that have reduced the cost to produce biobased chemicals
• Materials shortages resulting from shifts in the chemical manufacturing industry (i.e., increases in natural gas production)
• Need to stimulate regional and rural development and U.S. jobs
Today’s Legislative Definition of a Biobased Product 2002 Farm Bill
• A product composed of recent biological components
• Agricultural, forestry, and marine materials
Federal Interest in Biobased Products
• Energy Security
• Environmental Security
• Economic Security
• Food Security
The bottom line…sustainability is important, but a healthy, vibrant rural America is also important. BioPreferred can help with both. Tom Vilsak – Secretary of Agriculture
Federal Procurement Preference currently includes:
• 97 product categories
• Representing more than 10,000 products
• Product categories continue to be added
Examples
Product Category Minimum
Biobased Content
Water Tank Coatings 59%
Metal Cleaners and Corrosive Removers
71%
Paint Removers 41%
Plastic Lumber Composite Panels 23%
Structural Wall Composite Panels 94%
Slide Way Lubricants 71%
The USDA Certified Biobased Label
• Launched February 2011
• Serve as an unbiased indicator of biobased content
• Independent third party certification partnership with ASTM International
Label Activity
Category Numbers
Label Applications (from nearly 600 companies)
~2500
Certified Products
~1600
Applications in Process
~800
2014 Major Farm Bill Amendments to Biobased Markets Program
• Begin to designate intermediate ingredients or feedstocks and assembled and finished biobased products within one year
• Promote biobased products, including forest products, that apply an innovative approach to any of the steps in the production process regardless of the date of entry into the marketplace
• Conduct economic impact study of the biobased products industry within one year
• $3 million per year mandatory funding (an increase from $2 million)
Plan to Implement Amendments
• First two amendments will likely require promulgation of regulations
• Final program guidelines rule currently in clearance will provide a process for designating intermediate ingredients or feedstocks and assembled and finished biobased products
– Finalizes rule proposed in 2012
– Expected promulgation date this September
Plan to Implement Amendments (cont’d.)
• Future amendments to program guidelines and labeling rules will promote wood and other products produced innovatively
– Nature of regulations required currently under legal review
– Timing will depend on nature of regulations required
– Amendments to rules will also address minor legislative changes to Farm Bill
• Planning just getting started on economic impact study
• Mandatory funding will allow labeling program to resume
Contact
Ron Buckhalt
Manager
USDA BioPreferred Program
202-205-4008
ronb.buckhalt@dm.usda.gov Web site: www.biopreferred.gov
Twitter: @BioPreferred