ARLINGTON, Va. – On Wednesday, over a dozen Republican members of Congress sent a letter to President Donald Trump, highlighting concerns about the United States’ overreliance on China for the supply of its vitamins and amino acids used in both human and animal food.
The letter comes just weeks after the Institute for Feed Education and Research (IFEEDER), the animal food industry’s nonprofit research arm, released a groundbreaking report, which detailed the extent to which the U.S. relies on China for vitamins and amino acids that are used in animal feed and pet food, human food and pharmaceuticals. The November report showed that, on average, 78% of U.S. vitamin imports come directly from China; for specific vitamins, such as biotin, imports are as high as 100%. The report also provided an analysis of the animal health, welfare and production impacts that could result should a disruption to the supply occur.
“The AFIA has been sounding the alarm to U.S. policymakers for years that China’s growing and dominant influence in the vitamin and amino acid supply chain poses a food security and national security risk for America,” said AFIA President and CEO Constance Cullman. “Working with several champions in Congress – Republican Representatives Ashley Hinson (Iowa-2) and Brad Finstad (Minn.-1) – and now their Republican colleagues, we believe we have the momentum needed to proactively address this issue. We know the Trump administration is committed to investigating the situation further and look forward to working with the president on next steps.
The letter emphasizes why vitamins are indispensable for animal food production, given that they ultimately impact food availability and affordability. It also details the threat vitamin scarcity could have in vulnerable American populations, such as infant nutrition. The group laid out several potential solutions in the letter, including increased federal investment in domestic vitamin manufacturing, an intentional national security focus on vitamin production and a comprehensive review of where other ingredient supply chain vulnerabilities exist.
The 14 additional signatories are Republican Representatives Don Bacon, Neb.-2; Mike Bost, Ill.-12; Julie Fedorchak, N.D.-at large; Michelle Fischbach, Minn.-7; Dusty Johnson, S.D.-at large; John Joyce, Pa.-13; Darin LaHood, Ill.-16; Tracy Mann, Kan.-1; Mark Messmer, Ind.-8; Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa-1; David Rouzer, N.C.-7; Derek Schmidt, Kan.-2; Austin Scott, Ga.-8; and Pete Stauber, Minn.-8.
“The AFIA appreciates the support from these members as they highlight the important role food security has in the security of our nation,” Cullman said.
To read the full letter, visit: finstad.house.gov. To read IFEEDER’s report, visit: ifeeder.org/vitamin-amino-
