• 1. General efforts for China market access and export registrations to China. Supports Economic Trade Agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of the People's Republic of China. 2. APHIS facility inspections and approvals with regard to foreign market access, general market access and export issues, including export certificates for animal products. 3. General efforts to prevent diseases, like African Swine Fever (ASF) from entering the U.S. 4. General tariff issues, including aluminum and tinplate steel tariffs affecting pet food manufacturers. 5. Opposed to imposing new tariffs on tin mill products from allies like Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey. Concerned that imposition of these new duties would raise the cost of canned foods, including pet food, placing new burdens on food banks and families who rely on government food and nutrition assistance programs. 6. Other tariff and trade disrupting issues affecting pet food manufacturers. Specifically supports suspending, reducing, or eliminating tariffs which currently hinder food and agriculture exports - including the China 301 tariffs which have had a disproportionate economic impact on American companies, consumers and workers. 7. Supports addressing and finding solutions to the ongoing challenges impacting our nation's food and agricultural supply chains, specifically as it relates to the pet food industry. 8. Supports uninterrupted trade between the U.S., Mexico and Canada to provide access to the goods they need, including pet food. 9. Supports U.S. agricultural export promotion and long-term market development. 10. Supports strengthening multilateral trade rules on agriculture that promotes resilient, adaptive, and innovative agricultural markets. 11. Supportive of H.R.648: Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2023 and S.176: Expanding Agricultural Exports Act of 2023. If enacted, these bills expand and extend through FY2029 the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program of the Department of Agriculture. These programs are critical for our nations farmers as they work to expand global market access for U.S. produced agricultural exports, including pet food. 12. Generally supports S.1421 - Country Of Origin Labeling Online Act; To require origin and location disclosure for new products of foreign origin offered for sale on the internet. Supports transparency for American consumers and a harmonization of disclosure requirements. However, our industry remains concerned about the impact this bill will have on all retailers, marketplaces and sellers who sell their products online. 13. Supports a proactive agriculture negotiating agenda at the World Trade Organization (WTO) that is focused on modernizing global agriculture trade policies.
• 1. General interest in the ingredients used in pet food, and modernizing the outdated regulatory processes for pet food and pet food products. 2. Supports HR 7380: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify and update the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure national uniformity in the regulation of the marketing and labeling of companion animal pet food, and for other purposes. 3. General interest in pet food's role in the agriculture industry, and related pet and human health issues, including the stewardship of antimicrobials to preserve their effectiveness in protecting plants, animals and public health. 4. General efforts to prevent diseases, like High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and African Swine Fever (ASF). 5. Oppose proposed changes to the WTO Agreement on Agriculture, which already provides criteria for the international sale or disposal of non-commercial stocks. Instead, we encourage countries to donate their excess stocks to the World Food Program. Supports strengthening multilateral trade rules on agriculture that promotes resilient, adaptive, and innovative agricultural markets. 6. Supports asking the EPA to revise the obligation to sign a notice of proposed rulemaking from December 13, 2023 until June 30, 2024 for the Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards (ELGs) for the Meat and Poultry Industry. 7. Supports H.R.1184 and S.502: The Healthy Dog Importation Act; To amend the Animal Health Protection Act with respect to the importation of live dogs, and for other purposes. 8. Supports an extension of H.R.2: Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-334) or the "Farm Bill." Also supports a new Farm Bill being passed into law in the 118th Congress. 9. Supports transformative research at USDA by including the bipartisan, bicameral Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Agriculture Act (S.834 and H.R.2385) in the next Farm Bill. These bills will amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to extend and permanently authorize the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority.
• 1. Supports H.R.4366 - This act provides FY2024 appropriations for several federal departments and agencies. It also extends several expiring programs and authorities, including various public health programs. Specifically, the act includes 6 of the 12 regular FY2024 appropriations bills including the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024. 2. Supports H.R.2882 - This bill provides FY2024 appropriations for several federal departments and agencies. It also extends various expiring programs and authorities. Specifically, the bill includes 6 of the 12 regular FY2024 appropriations bills including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, for Fiscal Year 2024. 3. Supports funding for the food ingredient approvals process at FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. 4. Supports funding the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AgARDA) in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. 5. Supports funding for USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to strengthen the federal oversight of imported canines in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. 6. Supports the additional funding through USDAs Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for aflatoxin research for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. 7. Supports funding in Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 for essential export promotion and market development provided by the Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation programs. 8. Supports H.R.1836 - Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act of 2023: This bill expands the Federal Maritime Commission's authority to regulate technology and anticompetitive practices within the international ocean transportation system. 9. Supports transformative research at USDA by including the bipartisan, bicameral Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Agriculture Act (S.834 and H.R.2385) in the next Farm Bill. These bills will amend the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 to extend and permanently authorize the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority. 10. Supports Fiscal Year 2025 funding for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program.
• 1. General pet food and related pet welfare issues, including the continuation of the Congressional Pet Caucus. 2. General interest in the ingredients used in pet food, and modernizing the outdated regulatory processes for pet food and pet food products. 3. Supports HR 7380: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify and update the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure national uniformity in the regulation of the marketing and labeling of companion animal pet food, and for other purposes. 4. Opposes federal mandates or incentives promoting renewable fuel production that use essential animal- and plant-based oils and fats necessary for complete and balanced nutrition in pet food formulations. 5. General efforts to prevent diseases, like High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and African Swine Fever (ASF) in the U.S.; specifically H.R.1184 and S.502: The Healthy Dog Importation Act; To amend the Animal Health Protection Act with respect to the importation of live dogs, and for other purposes. 6. General efforts to keep companion animals safe and healthy, specifically H.R.617: Paws Off Act of 2023; To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem foods containing xylitol as misbranded unless the label or labeling of such foods contains a warning specifying the toxic effects of xylitol for dogs if ingested, and for other purposes. Also supports H.R.1624: Puppy Protection Act of 2023; To require the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs. 7. Supports funding for USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to strengthen the federal oversight of imported canines in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for Fiscal Year 2024. 8. Supports S.759 and H.R.1480: The Beagle Brigade Act of 2023; To provide statutory authority for the National Detector Dog Training Center that is operated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture. The center trains dogs to inspect passenger baggage, cargo, mailed packages, and vehicles to detect foreign pests and diseases that threaten domestic agriculture and natural resources. 9. Supports S.901: Safe American Food Exports Act of 2023 or the "SAFE Act of 2023;" To amend the Animal Health Protection Act to improve the prevention of the spread of animal diseases, and for other purposes. 10. Supports H.R.1418 and S.1844: The Animal Drug and Animal Generic Drug User Fee Amendments of 2023; To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to reauthorize user fee programs relating to new animal drugs and generic new animal drugs, which was included in H.R. 5860: Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act; To provide continuing FY2024 appropriations to federal agencies through November 17, 2023, and provides emergency funding for disaster relief (Public Law 118-15). 11. Supports H.R.3989: Pets Belong with Families Act; To prohibit public housing agencies from imposing breed restrictions on household pets owned by residents of dwelling units in public housing, and for other purposes. 12. Supports H.R.4750 and S.2370: Bring Animals Relief and Kibble Act of 2023 or "BARK Act;" To amend the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act to provide protection for the good faith donation of pet products, and for other purposes. 13. Supports S.2067: Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Act or "SAVES Act;" To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to award grants to nonprofit organizations to assist such organizations in carrying out programs to provide service dogs to eligible veterans, and for other purposes.
• 1. Supports transportation issues related to pet food manufacturers and other agriculture stakeholders, including efforts to alleviate any export shipping challenges. 2. Supports efforts to advance transportation and infrastructure polices for truck, rail, waterways and ports that will enhance the efficient and cost-effective transport of agricultural and food products, including pet food. 3. Supports H.R.471: Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking Act or the SHIP IT Act. To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to commercial motor vehicle parking, safety, and licensing, and for other purposes. 4. Supports the following bills designed to improve our nation's supply chains and economic competitiveness: H.R. 3372: To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish a safety data collection program for certain 6-axle vehicles, and for other purposes. (91,000-lb. Weight Exemption Pilot Program) H.R. 3318: To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish an axle weight tolerance for certain commercial motor vehicles transporting dry bulk goods, and for other purposes. (10% Axle Variance for Dry Bulk) H.R. 3408: To establish an apprenticeship program for commercial drivers under the age of 21, and for other purposes. (Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) Safe Integrity Act) H.R. 1836: To amend title 46, United States Code, to make technical corrections with respect to ocean shipping authorities, and for other purposes. (Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act) H.R. 3013: To direct the Secretary of Transportation to modify certain regulations relating to the requirements for commercial drivers license testing and commercial learners permit holders, and for other purposes. (Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently) H.R. 2367: To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish a competitive grant program for projects for commercial motor vehicle parking, and for other purposes. (Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act).
• 1. Interest in general trucking/shipping issues or other supply chain challenges that continue to affect pet food manufacturers and other agriculture stakeholders. 2. Supports general efforts to advance transportation and infrastructure polices for truck, rail, waterways and ports that will enhance the efficient and cost-effective transport of agricultural and food products, including pet food. 3. Supports H.R.471: Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking Act or the SHIP IT Act. To amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to commercial motor vehicle parking, safety, and licensing, and for other purposes. 4. Supports the following bills designed to improve our nation's supply chains and economic competitiveness: H.R. 3372: To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish a safety data collection program for certain 6-axle vehicles, and for other purposes. (91,000-lb. Weight Exemption Pilot Program) H.R. 3318: To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish an axle weight tolerance for certain commercial motor vehicles transporting dry bulk goods, and for other purposes. (10% Axle Variance for Dry Bulk) H.R. 3408: To establish an apprenticeship program for commercial drivers under the age of 21, and for other purposes. (Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE) Safe Integrity Act) H.R. 3013: To direct the Secretary of Transportation to modify certain regulations relating to the requirements for commercial drivers license testing and commercial learners permit holders, and for other purposes. (Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently) H.R. 2367: To amend title 23, United States Code, to establish a competitive grant program for projects for commercial motor vehicle parking, and for other purposes. (Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act)
• 1. General concerns about global food insecurity. 2. Supportive of Congress and the Biden Administration ensuring that suitable supplies of the critical fats and oils remain available for human and pet food consumption, outside of the biofuels industry. 3. General interest in the ingredients used in pet food, and modernizing the outdated regulatory processes for pet food and pet food products. 4. Supports HR 7380: To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify and update the authority of the Food and Drug Administration to ensure national uniformity in the regulation of the marketing and labeling of companion animal pet food, and for other purposes.
• 1. Opposed to mandating or encouraging the use of food or feedstock, including fats and oils that are historically used in human and pet food, as a significant source of renewable fuels and energy. 2. Opposed to government mandates and tax credits promoting the expansion of renewable diesel. 3. Supports the EPA pausing increases in the Advanced Biofuels for 2023 and beyond. Any increases in the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) for Advanced Biofuels should be limited until such time as the EPA and USDA are able to guarantee that feedstock supplies of both plant oils and animal fats are sufficient to fulfill both food and fuel needs without causing unnecessary supply limitations and price increases. 4. Supports a pause in advancing canola oil as a pathway to renewable diesel, jet fuel, naphtha, liquefied petroleum gas and heating oil. Any further use of oilseed crops such as canola for renewable diesel should be paused until such time as the EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture can guarantee that feedstock supplies of both plant oils and animal fats are sufficient to fulfill both food and fuel needs without causing unnecessary supply limitations and price increases. 5. Supportive of Congress and the Biden Administration ensuring that suitable supplies of the critical fats and oils remain available for human and pet food consumption, outside of the biofuels industry. 6. Supports analyzing the impact of the use of renewable fuels on the price and supply of agricultural commodities and on food prices in the United States.
• 1. Supports the Bureau of Industry and Security and/or the Department of Commerce granting the canned food industrys request for a General Approved Exclusion for imported tin mill products. 2. General tariff issues, including aluminum and tinplate steel tariffs affecting pet food manufacturers. 3. Opposed to imposing new tariffs on tin mill products from allies like Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey. Concerned that imposition of these new duties would raise the cost of canned foods, including pet food, placing new burdens on food banks and families who rely on government food and nutrition assistance programs. 4. Other tariff and trade disrupting issues affecting pet food manufacturers. Specifically supports suspending, reducing, or eliminating tariffs which currently hinder or food and agriculture exports.
• 1. General shipping issues or other supply chain challenges affecting pet food manufacturers and other agriculture stakeholders, specifically ocean container carriers declining to carry export cargo. 2. Support efforts to advance transportation and infrastructure polices for truck, rail, waterways and ports that will enhance the efficient and cost-effective transport of agricultural and food products, including pet food. 3. Supports H.R. 1836: To amend title 46, United States Code, to make technical corrections with respect to ocean shipping authorities, and for other purposes. (Ocean Shipping Reform Implementation Act) 4. Supports the Federal Maritime Commission having jurisdiction over the entirety of the international freight movement, pursuant to through bills of lading, including demurrage incurred at the inland rail ramps. 5. Supports the President's budget request to fully implement the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 and urges Congress to provide that level of funding to ensure that the FMC continues to be an effective regulator for a critical segment of the supply chain that impacts the competitiveness of so many American businesses. 6. Supports Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel to be renominated for another term at the Commission. 7. Supports safe and secure maritime commerce in the Red Sea - such as that of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational security initiative with at least 23 participating countries as of February 2024.
• 1. Support efforts to advance transportation and infrastructure polices for truck, rail, waterways and ports that will enhance the efficient and cost-effective transport of agricultural and food products, including pet food. 2. Supports general efforts to pass bipartisan, targeted rail safety legislation to reduce the risk of future derailments while also ensuring a reliable, economically sustainable railroad freight transportation system. 3. Supports Patrick Fuchs for another term at the Surface Transportation Board.

Duration: January 1, 2016 to present

General Issues: Trade (Domestic & Foreign), Agriculture, Budget/Appropriations, Animals, Transportation, Trucking/Shipping, Food Industry (Safety, Labeling, etc.), Fuel/Gas/Oil, Miscellaneous Tariff Bills, Marine/Maritime/Boating/Fisheries, Railroads, Taxation/Internal Revenue Code

Spending: about $977,447 (But it's complicated. Here's why.)

It can be tricky to figure out how much an organization spent on a particular lobbying engagement. The law only requires lobbyists to report the amount they were paid for federal lobbying each quarter rounded to the nearest $10,000—and if it's less than $3,000 in a given quarter (or less than $13,000 for organizations with in-house lobbyists), they don't have to disclose it at all. Plus, some organizations include spending that doesn’t belong in the report—for instance, money spent lobbying state governments or other legal work.

Agencies lobbied since 2016: Agriculture - Dept of (USDA), U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Commerce - Dept of (DOC), U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Maritime Commission, President of the U.S., Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Homeland Security - Dept of (DHS), U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Surface Transportation Board (STB), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Transportation - Dept of (DOT), White House Office, Energy - Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Small Business Administration (SBA), Labor - Dept of (DOL), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), Army - Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Interior - Dept of (DOI), Defense - Dept of (DOD), Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)