In already tough economic times, confusing environmental laws can mean even greater challenges for producers. Navigating the intricacies of environmental laws can leave farmers and ranchers in perilous positions. A more balanced approach to environmental regulations was the topic of a workshop last week at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting. “Environmental law can be harsh, especially for everyday … Read More
AFBF Urges Representatives To Disapprove WOTUS
The Waters of the U.S. rule is still very much a main topic in 2016. The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to support S.J. Res. 22, a resolution to disapprove the Waters of the U.S. rule finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers. “The EPA rule poses a … Read More
Food Security Policy Event Takes Place In PA
The “Importance of Global Food Security to Pennsylvania and America” will take place on January 11 in PA, 2016 courtesy of the Farm Journal Foundation and the Pennsylvania Dept of Ag. Mr. Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture will introduce the session, which includes many other agriculture leaders. “While agricultural researchers work hard to increase yields, an often overlooked area … Read More
USDA Planning GMO Labeling Stakeholder Meeting
In the new year, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack plans to bring stakeholders in the genetically engineered food labeling debate to the table to reach common ground on the issue. “I intend to, after the first of the year, convene a meeting of folks who have been reaching out to me,” said Vilsack. “These are not necessarily Senators or members of … Read More
Congress Halts OSHA Overreach
In July the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sent a memorandum to end the exemption of retail stores to the Process Safety Management (PSM). PSM is a set of procedural, operational and organizational standards to intended to prevent the release of hazardous chemicals at manufacturing facilities. The rescinding of this exemption would force virtually all ag retailers that store … Read More
No National Labeling in Omnibus Bill
The broad spending and tax legislation compromise unveiled by House Republicans Tuesday night lacks a provision that would allow for a national food labeling standard to head off state food labeling mandates for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) set to take effect in 2016. “The failure of Congress to act will result in enormous costs to the agriculture and food industry … Read More
USDA Begins Second Phase of Data Gathering
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be contacting farmers and ranchers now through February 2016 to collect information of the second phase of the National Resources Inventory-Conservation Effects Assessment Project (NRI-CEAP-2). CEAP is a multi-agency study of the environmental impacts of conservation practices and programs on cultivated and non-cultivated agricultural lands. The survey will gather field management data … Read More
EPA’s WOTUS Social Media Campaign Judged Illegal
In a legal opinion released this week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “violated publicity or propaganda and anti-lobbying provisions contained in appropriations acts with its use of certain social media platforms in association with its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rulemaking.” According to the GAO: Specifically, EPA violated the publicity or propaganda … Read More
Ad Asks Congress to Pass Uniform, National Labeling
The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food (CFSAF) has launched a cable TV add in the D.C. market asking Congress to pass uniform, national food labeling legislation this month. The ad features Jim Jiriva, a farmer who has long used biotech crops to support his family. Hundreds of agriculture organizations from all 50 states have requested that Congress move forward with … Read More
CFSAF Calls on Congress to Pass National Food Labeling
The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food and 46 national organizations sent a letter to Congress requesting a uniform, national labeling standard for foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The letter comes as agriculture and business groups continue to urge key House and Senate leaders to include a federal preemption of state food labeling laws in the omnibus appropriations bill … Read More