An affiliate of the Nautilus Federation – the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots (MM&P) – has joined forces with more than 50 other organisations in the USA to push for passage of a bill that would ensure that US commodities are the cornerstone of international food aid.
The bipartisan legislation, the 'American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023' would see US-grown commodities used to fight global hunger, rather than taxpayer dollars used to purchase food from other countries.
The legislation is supported by maritime groups that include unions, ports, US-flag shipping companies, and their advocacy groups.
'MM&P strongly supports this legislation,' said MM&P President Don Marcus.
'It will increase the amount of life-saving agricultural commodities provided by America’s farmers to help feed the world’s hungriest people through much-needed reforms to the international food aid programs.
'At the same time, it will strengthen America's national security and commercial sealift readiness capability by increasing the amount of cargo available to US-flag vessels and their American-citizen crews.'
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