Production & Sustainability

America’s agricultural producers and exporters are passionate about providing safe, wholesome, and affordable food and farm products to consumers around the world. Embracing science and innovation makes it possible for them to help meet global demand, keep food affordable, and ensure that it is produced in the ways that are most sustainable – both environmentally and economically. At the links below and to the right, you can learn more about American agriculture’s commitment to quality, safety, environmental stewardship, science, and sustainability – and about the U.S. infrastructure that supports this.

In addition, FAS's international offices track and report on other countries' policies, initiatives, and activities that relate to agricultural production, sustainability, technology adoption, and related areas. Get the latest updates in the Data and Analysis section below.

Animal and Plant Health

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/

Biotechnology

https://www.usda.gov/topics/biotechnology

Conservation

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

https://www.farmers.gov/conserve

Farm Practices and Management

https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-practices-management/

Food Safety

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/

https://www.fda.gov/food

Grading and Standards

https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards

Organics

Trade - https://www.fas.usda.gov/commodities/organic-products

Production and Certification - https://www.usda.gov/topics/organic

Sustainability

https://www.usda.gov/oce/sustainability

https://thesustainabilityalliance.us/

Data and Analysis

From a geographical and regulatory viewpoint, Iceland has a unique environment for marketing U.S. food products with, or without, any biotech content and/or conducting research on biotech applications.
The New Zealand government has introduced the Gene Technology Bill 2024, aiming to establish a modern regulatory framework for gene technology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
On December 31, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) announced the issuance of new and renewed biosafety certificates for genetically engineered (GE) events.

News and Features

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has launched the $10 million Sustainable Packaging Innovation Lab as part of the Assisting Specialty Crop Exports initiative. The application period is open for this new funding opportunity, and awards will range from $50,000 to $250,000 for research, scale, and commercialization applications that support U.S. exporters through innovative packaging solutions.
USDA will host the second in-person Stakeholder Session of the US-EU Collaboration Platform on Agriculture April 8-9 in Washington, D.C.
FAS hosted a delegation from Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay who came to the U.S. to learn about sustainable, climate-smart agriculture.