H.R. 4485 — Climate-Friendly Food Label Task Force Act

This section states congressional findings concerning the agricultural sector, including that it accounts for 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions; sustainable practices are critical to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and meeting U.S. Paris Agreement commitments; the USDA Organic label exemplifies a successful voluntary, market-based approach that has driven innovation and economic benefits; and a similar approach for climate-friendly practices could yield comparable benefits, as evidenced by 2021 organic sales of $11.2 billion across 17,445 farms, with 28% of organic farmers planning to expand production.

This section establishes an advisory panel, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and composed of scientists (including experts in climate and nutrition science), representatives of environmental advocacy organizations and industry (including food manufacturing and farming), other stakeholders, and at least one representative each from the Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Food and Drug Administration, National Academy of Sciences, and any other federal agency as determined appropriate. The panel must submit a report to the Secretary and Congress within one year of enactment containing (1) recommendations for developing a climate-friendly certification for agricultural products that reduces greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis using market-based approaches to enhance consumer choice and education; and (2) specifications for measuring lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, land use effects, and other appropriate criteria. The Secretary must publish the report on the Department of Agriculture website and is prohibited from issuing regulations or guidance or from certifying or advertising any agricultural product as climate-friendly prior to the report's submission to Congress.