CACASA Endorses Congressman Jim Costa as Ranking Member of U.S. House Committee on Agriculture
The California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association (CACASA) has announced its support for Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) for the position of Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture.
“Congressman Costa is a third-generation farmer from one of the most productive agricultural regions of the nation with a diversity of livestock and crops including citrus, dairy, almonds and grapes,” said Lindsey Carter, Executive Director of CACASA, an organization that represents Agricultural Commissioners who operate in all 58 counties of California to enforce pesticide regulations and perform myriad duties designed to ensure that bees, farmworkers and the environment are protected and that invasive pests are prevented from taking hold in the state’s agricultural fields.
According to USDA National Ag Statistic Services, agricultural producers in Costa’s congressional district that includes parts of Fresno and Tulare counties, produce agricultural products valued at $2.8 billion.
Congressman Costa is a senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture. During his tenure, Congressman Costa worked across the aisle to help craft three Farm Bills in 2008, 2014 and 2018 providing vital support to our nation’s farmers, reducing hunger, improving international food assistance programs and export market development programs.
Congressman Costa’s experience and leadership on the Subcommittees on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture have showcased his understanding of the complex biological nature of agriculture that impacts all segments of the U.S. food supply chain and international trade. U.S. agricultural trade can be impeded by trade barriers being erected by trading partners for plant and animal health risks if preventative government programs are not executed precisely and based on sound science.
Early in his congressional career Congressman Costa was a strong leader in securing the first-ever Horticulture Title in a Farm Bill, establishing policies and programs regarding specialty crops. He authored the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-246). Since its enactment much-needed enhancements have been added to the protection of our nation’s food supply and environment.
CACASA representatives notes that Congressman Costa understands the vital role in facilitating trade of agricultural commodities domestically and internationally. With numerous seaports and an international border, California is a gateway to the U.S. for imports. But California is also a major exporter of agricultural products. Congressman Costa has first-hand knowledge of what it takes to facilitate the movement of agricultural products from production to their ultimate destination, including the certification of products destined for foreign ports. As Ranking Member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, Congressman Costa’s deep experience and technical know-how can be instrumental in forthcoming trade negotiations impacting agriculture like the U.S., Mexico, Canada trade agreement.
“California leads the U.S. with the highest value of both crop and livestock sales, respectively,” continued Carter noting that in 2023, California’s farms and ranches received $59.4 billion in cash receipts for their output. “The bottom line is there is no one in the U.S. Congress better suited to help lead the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture than Congressman Jim Costa. In addition to being uniquely qualified, he is dedicated to the prosperity of American agriculture and committed to working with the multiple and diverse constituencies in the food and agriculture industry. Now more than ever we need a leader with experience and talents like those of Congressman Jim Costa.”