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PBPC Urges Congressional Action to Ensure Future of BioPreferred Program
July 1, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Plant Based Products Council, which represents companies and stakeholders at the forefront of innovation in the ag bioeconomy, released a statement expressing disappointment about the BioPreferred Program being removed from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“While we appreciate Congress’s continued support for agricultural producers, we’re deeply concerned about the uncertainty facing USDA’s BioPreferred Program,” said James Glueck, Executive Director of the Plant Based Products Council. “For more than two decades, this bipartisan program has successfully driven American manufacturing job creation while strengthening markets for farm commodities. At a time when rural communities need economic opportunity and America needs supply chain resilience, we cannot afford to let this proven program languish. We urge congressional leaders to act swiftly on reauthorization and modernization that will unlock the full potential of our bioeconomy.”
BACKGROUND
Originally signed into law in the 2002 Farm Bill, the BioPreferred Program has enjoyed strong bipartisan support in every subsequent full, five-year reauthorization. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the BioPreferred Program provides critical resources to the growing ag bioproducts industry, helps increase domestic demand for biobased products, and provides necessary clarity for both consumers and federal government customers.
Following a lapse in authorization in September 2024, the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act importantly extended the life of the BioPreferred Program. Due to the limitations of the reconciliation process,a technical corrections amendment removed this provision from the package, leaving it vulnerable to an unprecedented multi-year lapse in authorization. PBPC stands ready to work with leaders of the House and Senate to act quickly to secure certainty for USDA’s BioPreferred Program in 2025.
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About the Plant Based Products Council
The Plant Based Products Council is an association of like-minded organizations that are advocating for a shift toward a more circular bioeconomy through greater adoption of renewable, plant-based materials supported by appropriate end-of-life infrastructure. We educate stakeholders and advocate for programs and policies that will support the growth of the plant-based products industry, helping to harness its environmental and economic potential to deliver a more sustainable future. Learn more at www.pbpc.com.