The U.S. House yesterday approved the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard by a vote of 309 to 117. The legislation, which preempts individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients, was passed by the Senate last week and is expected to be signed by President Obama. “I have said this is the most important food and … Read More
#GMO Disclosure Bill Passes Senate
Late Thursday evening, the U.S. Senate Wednesday voted 63-30 to pass the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard that preempts individual state laws to require labeling of foods containing genetically engineered ingredients. The bipartisan compromise legislation, which was worked out by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), requires mandatory disclosure with several options, including … Read More
Final Provisions In Place for Crop Insurance
The Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the USDA says the final safety net provisions from the 2014 Farm Bill are now in place. The new measures help protect farmers and ranchers agains weather disasters, market volatility and other risk factors. Currently the RMA has put interim rules into place to complete provisions for some programs and give them the authority to … Read More
1,000 Organizations Support Passage of Food Labeling
More than 1,000 ag and food industry organizations have come together to show their support for the food labeling solution. Co-chairs for the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food (CFSAF), Pamela Bailey and Charles Conner are excited by the show of support for this critical legislation and hope a letter to the Senate will demonstrate the necessity of moving forward quickly. “The … Read More
#GMO Labeling Compromise Reached
Leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday announced a bipartisan compromise on GMO labeling legislation in advance of the pending implementation of a state law in Vermont. “Our marketplace – both consumers and producers – needs a national biotechnology standard to avoid chaos in interstate commerce,” said Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) about the compromise reached with Ranking … Read More
NCGA Applauds New FAA Rule On Drones
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has officially announced its final rule, effective this August, governing commercial uses of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones. “We’re pleased that the FAA recognizes the important commercial applications for UAS technology, and has created rules that will put the technology in farmers’ hands,” said Maryland farmer Chip Bowling, President of National Corn Growers … Read More
NCGA Trade School Highlights Importance of Policy
The National Corn Growers Association hosted Trade School in Washington D.C. last week. More than 50 farmers, ranchers and ag professionals took the opportunity to learn more about trade issues and rally support for TPP. “Trade policy has a significant impact on me as a farmer. The success of my business and the livelihood of my community depend on expanding … Read More
USDA Begins 2016 Resource Management Survey
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be talking to more than 10,000 farmers and ranchers to obtain data for the annual Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). This survey covers all areas of agriculture productions; farm financial well-being, chemical use, and many other farm characteristics. This year the survey will focus on corn production and organic and conventional … Read More
NCGA Disappointed in Failure to Support Waterways
Last week the House of Representatives failed to pass the FY17 Energy and Water Appropriations bills and the National Corn Growers Association is not pleased. They, along with 19 other agriculture groups, sent a letter to the House Appropriates Committee earlier this spring to express the need to support revitalization of the deteriorating inland waterways infrastructure. “Our association remains resolute … Read More
FB Tells Congress EPA, Army Corp of Engineers Violate Law
The American Farm Bureau Federation told the Senate Subcommittee on Fisheries, Water and Wildlife that the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers have violated their own regulations. The groups have effectively invented new rules to enforce the Clean Water Act, said senior director of congressional relations, Don Parrish. These interpretations of the law are threatening the livelihoods of Americas who … Read More