A new educational website has been launched by several animal agriculture groups that highlights the ways that U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Guidance for Industry #213 will change the way livestock producers may use antibiotics to treat their animals and discusses the practices used by livestock producers and animal health professionals to ensure that antibiotics are being used judiciously … Read More
FDA Releases New FSMA Draft Guidances
As the implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) continues, the FDA has issued two new draft guidances to assist industry with the implementation of the Preventive Controls for Animal Food rule, as well as another draft guidance to assist businesses in determining whether the activities they perform are within the “farm” definition. Two of the draft guidances … Read More
Wisconsin Dairy Industry Pushes Immigration Reform
Earlier this week, a coalition of Wisconsin business and community leaders came together in Madison for the launch of the “Reason for Reform” campaign, highlighting the need for immigration reform and presenting data about the significant contributions immigrants make to the state’s economy. The event was hosted by the Partnership for a New American Economy (NAE) and the Latino Chamber … Read More
Senators Address Organic Livestock, Poultry Concerns
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, led a bipartisan group of 13 Senators in sending a second letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), requesting additional information regarding expressed concerns with the Agency’s proposed rule on revised organic livestock and poultry production standards. “The proposed rule raises significant concerns regarding … Read More
FDA Releases FVM Program’s Strategic Plan
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released the Foods and Veterinary Medicine (FVM) Program’s Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2016-2025. The plan outlines the FVM Program’s goals and objectives for the next 10 years. The FVM program, which encompasses the Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine, the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, and the Center for … Read More
#BeefMeet Draws 700 Cattlemen
The Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting drew over 700 cattlemen and women to Denver this week to discuss the policy priorities for the cattle industry. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president Tracy Brunner says the event showed how the industry comes together to tackle critical issues like market volatility and expanding international markets, especially related to passage of the Trans-Pacific … Read More
NCC Recommends Changes to Organic Rule
The National Chicken Council (NCC) released a statement recommending revision or clarification of several key aspects of the latest proposed rule from the National Organic Program (NOP) that intends to enhance bird health, protect food safety, and maintain a viable organic program. “NCC is concerned that the proposed rule imposes unreasonable costs and requirements of doubtful benefit on organic farmers, … Read More
NCBA Comments on Proposed Organic Marketing Rule
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recently submitted comments on the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service’s (AMS) National Organic Program; Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices proposed rule, with NCBA President Tracy Brunner stating that voluntary agency marketing programs are not the place to codify animal production practices. “Organic programs are marketing programs and therefore not the place to prescribe animal welfare … Read More
NMPF Endorses Legislation Exempting Farms from RCRA
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has expressed support for new bipartisan legislation introduced in the House of Representatives that clarifies the exemption of dairy farms and other livestock producers from being subject to the Resource Conversation and Recovery Act (RCRA). RCRA was enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1976 to set forth a framework for the … Read More
NCC Calls for Reduction of 2017 Ethanol Levels
The National Chicken Council (NCC) has stated their support for recent efforts to create a more reasonable and sustainable approach to the nation’s biofuel fuel policy. The organization believes that the diversion of corn from feed to fuel exacts a heavy toll on U.S. chicken producers, as well as American consumers, at the pump and the plate. “NCC believes the … Read More