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Farm Bill draft defines biostimulants, a first for the U.S.

The House Ag Committee’s draft Farm Bill includes the first definition for plant biostimulants by the United States. As defined, a plant biostimulant is a substance that, when applied to seeds or plants, stimulates natural processes to enhance nutrient uptake and crop quality and yield.

The bill, if it went into law, would also require that the USDA study the potential regulatory and legislative reforms needed to ensure the review, approval, and uniform labeling of biostimulant products.

Keith Jones, a leader with the Biological Products Industry Alliance says they have been working with the U.S. Biostimulant Coalition to get language passed to move the industry forward. He says the proposed definition is consistent with language under review by the European Union.