Front view of the Capitol

Rep. Barry Moore co-leads bipartisan legislation to establish a commission to modernize the National Agricultural Statistics Service

November 9, 2023
Press Release

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Barry Moore (AL-02) is joined by Rep. Don Davis (NC-01) to introduce bipartisan legislation establishing a commission to modernize the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). NASS statistics are widely used by groups looking for credible data to inform products, services, decisions, and outcomes. These groups include producers, insurance adjusters, commodity traders, federal agencies, and policy makers.

“Data provided by the National Agricultural Statistics Service is critical to help producers and stakeholders make informed decisions," said Rep. Moore. “Establishing a commission to modernize NASS’ function will help the Department of Agriculture improve data reporting, and increase producer response rates, while reducing survey fatigue among producers."

“Producers across eastern North Carolina rely on data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to improve their practices and make educated decisions for their farms,” said Rep. Davis. “The commission will provide complete and thoughtful recommendations on ways for NASS to modernize, which will provide USDA and our producers with more accurate data and a more engaging process."

The Commission to modernize the National Agricultural Statistics Service will:

  • Work to improve reported statistics, increase producer response rates, and reduce survey fatigue among producers by working with Congress, the Executive branch, and stakeholders.

  • Be comprised of five agency representatives and six representatives appointed by the House and Senate Agriculture Committees on a bipartisan basis.

  • Submit a report no later than three years after enactment with administrative, regulatory and legislative recommendations to modernize NASS.

This legislation has received support from: American Farm Bureau Federation, Alabama Farmers Federation, Auburn University College of Agriculture, Farm Credit Council, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Cotton Council, National Sorghum Producers and the U.S. Peanut Federation. 

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