A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators introduced a bill Thursday that calls on EPA to develop a new “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) proposal. The senators, including John Barrasso (R-WY), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), jointly introduced the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, directing EPA and the U.S. … Read More
ARA Supports Food Labeling Act
Hundreds of organizations representing various sectors of the food and agriculture industry signed on to a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives asking them to support the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. The groups representing the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food urged members of Congress to consider co-sponsoring the bill introduced last month by Reps. Mike … Read More
Farm Bureau Endorses Bill to Sink WOTUS Rule
The American Farm Bureau Federation asked Congress to pass legislation ordering the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the controversial “Waters of the United States” proposal. In a letter copied to all members of Congress, AFBF President Bob Stallman wrote that the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act of 2015 represents an opportunity for Congress to … Read More
FAPRI: Modest Changes in Prospective Plantings
A new report shows little difference from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) annual Prospective Plantings information. The report from the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute at the University of Missouri (FAPRI-MU) is also consistent with what FAPRI-MU released in March. · For the current 2014/15 marketing year, projected corn, soybean and wheat prices are almost the same as … Read More
Momentum Growing for Non-GMO Labels
Momentum and support appear to be growing for a voluntary federal food labeling standard with a Washington Post editorial out this week saying GMO food labeling is unnecessary. “The GM-food debate is a classic example of activists overstating risk based on fear of what might be unknown and on a distrust of corporations,” writes the WP editorial board, which noted … Read More
Corn and Soybean Groups Support Non-GMO Label
Corn and soybean grower organizations applauded the introduction Wednesday of the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act, legislation that would create a national, science-based labeling standard for foods containing genetically modified organisms. “Farmers and consumers agree on the need for clear, consistent labeling. Labels should be science-based and uniform in all 50 states,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip … Read More
House GMO Labeling Bill Re-Introduced
The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act was reintroduced in the U.S. House Wednesday by Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) with bi-partisan co-sponsorship. The bill would provide for uniform federal food labeling standards and includes a new provision to allow those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so by through an accredited … Read More
Land, Regulations Top Young Farmer Concerns Again
A new survey shows that young farmers are still worried about getting adequate land to grow crops and raise animals. This news release from the American Farm Bureau Federation says the group’s annual outlook survey of participants in the Young Farmers & Ranchers program found that 29 percent of respondents were concerned about that issue, followed by government regulations, which … Read More
Protecting Ag Important to Rep. Lucas
Former House Agriculture Committee chairman Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK) stopped by the Agri-Pulse Ag Day kickoff event Tuesday evening and commented on the budget plan unveiled by House Republicans would protect 2014 Farm Bill programs. “The 2014 Farm Bill is primarily mandatory spending for the next five years but there’s a certain amount of discretionary spending, like day to day … Read More
Ag Groups Testify on WOTUS
Representatives of agricultural organizations testified on how the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule would impact them during a hearing held Tuesday by the House Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. American Farm Bureau Federation General Counsel Ellen Steen told the panel that “unless dramatically altered,” the rule will create enormous uncertainty and vulnerability for farmers and ranchers nationwide. … Read More