Strengthening Legislative Advocacy: How AFIA Members Can Drive Positive Change from their Manufacturing Facilities

Written by: Guest   |   October 23, 2024

Congress, Legislative Advocacy

By: Guest: Mike Schuster, Vice President of Sales at Laidig Systems, Inc., and former AFIA Board Chair 

One of the American Feed Industry Association’s main priorities is to represent the animal food industry on legislative and regulatory issues. The AFIA staff consistently communicate with legislators to provide valuable data that helps shape policy positions and regulations. These efforts are critical in driving the positive changes needed to achieve our common goal of producing safe, sustainable and nutritious animal food.      

During my tenure as AFIA chair of the Board, one of my goals was to become involved with the AFIA’s legislative and regulatory team, expanding their outstanding legislative advocacy program. This program involves promoting the importance of legislative activities, providing detailed materials and action steps for more effective engagement with legislators and actively seeking the involvement of AFIA members.  

One effective method for members to communicate key industry issues is to invite legislators to your offices and production facilities. There is significant value in describing the impact on the local community in the form of jobs and tax revenue. The opportunity to demonstrate the specific role a constituent has in the animal food industry often will resonate with legislators.            

Laidig Systems, Inc., recently hosted Congressman Rudy Yakym III, R-Ind.-2, at our office. The visit began with a tour of our manufacturing facility, which highlighted our capabilities and described our role in the feed industry.  During the tour, Yakym engaged with members of our production team. We believe our team found this visit beneficial and demonstrated a commitment to industry and our future.      

After the tour, we discussed specific legislative issues important to our company and the animal food industry. We prepared for our discussion by contacting the legislative and regulatory team at the AFIA. They provided an economic impact report for the state of Indiana and the second congressional district along with several issue papers outlining current legislative priorities. This information was very useful supporting our conversation regarding international trade, the farm bill, the Innovative Feed Enhancement and Economic Development (Innovative FEED) Act (S. 1842/H.R. 6687), the Enteric Methane Innovation Tools for Lower Emissions and Sustainable Stock (EMIT LESS) Act (H.R.8676/S. 4056) and the  Securing American Agriculture Act (H.R. 8003/S. 5277).           

We encourage you to consider contacting your local legislators to begin establishing a relationship. The AFIA is available to assist and provide detailed materials and action steps allowing for effective engagement. Taking these steps will not only benefit your company, but it will also help the entire animal food industry.