The National Pork Producers Council and 34 state pork producer organizations are urging the Senate to take up legislation to repeal country of origin labeling requirements for beef, pork and poultry before Congress takes a month-long recess beginning in early August. The U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law requires meat to be labeled with the country where the animal … Read More
No Disaster Declaration for Avian Flu in Iowa
Iowa officials are disappointed that President Obama has denied their request for a disaster declaration in the state due to the outbreak this year of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa could not believe the denial in the face of the losses for Iowa poultry producers: “After yesterday’s Agriculture Committee hearing and listening to testimony from … Read More
House Bans Brazilian, Argentine Beef While FMD Evaluated
A U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee approved an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations bill that would ban the importation of Brazilian and Argentine Beef until the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) evaluates the potential risk of foot and mouth disease to the U.S. cattle industry caused by these imports. This news release from Congressman Kevin Cramer says the … Read More
Senate Ag Committee Gets Bird Flu Update
The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry heard the latest information on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak. This news release from committee chairman Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., says the disease has spread rapidly and forced egg and poultry producers to depopulate millions of birds across the country, creating short and long-term damaging effects on rural economies. … Read More
Groups File Lawsuit To Vacate ‘WOTUS’ Rule
More than a dozen farm groups have joined together to file a lawsuit to vacate a new Clean Water Act (CWA) regulation, better known as the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule. The National Pork Producers Council says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have overstepped their bounds with the rule with an … Read More
Witnesses Announced for Hearing on Avian Flu
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has announced witnesses for the Committee’s hearing on the impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza on the U.S. poultry sector and protecting U.S. poultry flocks. The hearing will take place on July 7 at 3:00pm EST at the Russell Senate office building in room 328A. … Read More
MO Supreme Court Upholds Farming Rights Amendment
The Supreme Court of Missouri has held the election results on the 2014 “Farming Rights Amendment” as valid, calling the ballot title “sufficient and fair, and so there was no election irregularity.” The decision was welcomed by Missouri Cattlemen’s Association President (MCA) Janet Akers. “This decision was no surprise to me or to this association. The Farming Rights Amendment (Amendment … Read More
Enroll in 2016 Dairy Margin Protection Program
Sign-ups for the 2016 Dairy Margin Protection Program begin July 1. This U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) news release says the voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating dairy operations when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer. “More than half of our nation’s … Read More
Comments from COOL Hearing
This morning U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, held a hearing on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) and trade retaliation. He believes “retaliation is coming, and now is the time to act.” “If you take anything away from my remarks today, I hope it is this: facts are stubborn things, and … Read More
TPA Finally Passes Congress
After lots of drama and much political posturing, Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) finally cleared the final hurdle before being sent to the president’s desk, passing the U.S. Senate Wednesday by a vote of 60-38. “As the demand for U.S. beef continues to grow around the world, the future success of the beef industry rests in our ability to meet foreign … Read More