The Agricultural Retailers Association recently recognized two legislators who have lead efforts to defend the industry’s freedom to operate. Sens. Thad Cochran (R-MS) and John Thune (R-SD) were both were named ARA’s 2015 Legislator of the Year during the organization’s recent meeting in Washington DC. ARA recognized Sen. Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, for his determined efforts on … Read More
Meeting for Industry Supported Labeling Bill Delayed
A meeting by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to consider the Chairman’s Mark on Biotechnology Labeling Solutions has been postponed until next week. The committee meeting was scheduled for Thursday but is being delayed due to “changes on the Senate floor.” Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) is pleased with the broad food and agriculture industry … Read More
New Study Reveals Urgent Need for Labeling Law
A new study by the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has discovered that Vermont’s looming mandatory GMO labeling law could increase the price of a family’s food budget by $1,050 each year. This rise is cost will affect families nationwide and highlights the impact one state can have. The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food is working hard to urge members of Congress to … Read More
Coalition Supports Roberts Bill on Labeling
the Coalition for Safe, Affordable Food (CFSAF) is calling for quick action on a draft bill proposed by Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) to address labeling for genetically modified foods. “Farmers, businesses and American families are counting on Congress to pass a uniform, national labeling standard for foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as quickly as possible because Vermont’s state … Read More
House Ag Grills EPA Chief on WOTUS
During a hearing on Wednesday, House Agriculture Committee members questioned EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, on the agency’s overreaching, burdensome regulations and policies such as the “waters of the United States” rule, and proposed changes to the ozone standard and pesticide uses. “America’s farmers, ranchers, and foresters are the original conservationists who take great pride in their stewardship of the land. … Read More
Policy Priorities for Ag Retailers
GMO labeling, energy policy, regulatory actions and water transportation were among the top issues discussed by members of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) meeting in Washington, DC last week. ARA Chairman Harold Cooper of Premier Ag says their biggest priority was the retail exemption to OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) regulations. “OSHA has elected to take a statute that’s over … Read More
USDA Awards $30.1 Million in Food Security Projects
The USDA and the Food Research Initiative (AFRI) have made possible $30.1 million to fund research projects pertaining to food safety, antibiotic resistance, and resilience of plants facing climate change. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and President Obama’s Science and Technology Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Dr. John P. Holdren recently announced that, after … Read More
Sen. Thune on What Now for WOTUS
Sen. John Thune (R-SD) was named one of the Legislators of the Year this week by the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and he spent some time with organization leaders on Tuesday talking about industry priorities. One priority for all of agriculture is the EPA’s Waters of the United States or WOTUS, which was the subject of a disapproval resolution passed … Read More
Ag Retailers Meeting on Capitol Hill
Members of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) board of directors have been in Washington DC this week taking their priorities to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. The agribusiness company representatives were able to meet with many of their elected representatives and senators and/or their staff members, as well as officials from agencies such as OSHA. “We do a February board meeting … Read More
USDA Provides $9M For Mitigation Opportunities
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the establishment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program will provide $9 million to help states, local governments or other qualified partners develop wetland mitigation banks that restore, create, or enhance wetland ecosystems, broadening the conservation options available to farmers and … Read More