Farmers need to do a better job at connecting with the public when talking about the benefits that biotechnology brings to producers, consumers and the environment, said Joanna Lidback, a dairy farmer from northeast Vermont. Lidback, who also keeps a blog documenting her family’s life on the farm, testified during a hearing of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture, Research, … Read More
Ag Groups Challenge EPA Interpretive Rule
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy’s promise that under the proposed rules defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA) “all normal farming practices are exempt – period” may be falling on deaf ears in the agriculture community. McCarthy is visiting Missouri this week to explain the proposed rules but she faces an uphill battle from the … Read More
EPA Chief to Explain Water Rule in Missouri
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy will travel to Missouri this week to defend and explain the Administration’s proposed rules defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act (CWA). “I’m hoping that this trip helps us ‘ditch the myths’ and misinformation,” said McCarthy during a media call this morning in an obvious reference to the American … Read More
Right to Farm Gains Support in Missouri
Amendment #1, the Missouri Farming Rights Amendment, will be decided by Missouri voters on August 5. The Missouri Farmers Care coalition, comprised of more than 40 statewide agricultural organizations, is working hard to pass the amendment. The amendment is short, straightforward and designed to protect all of agriculture from outside special interests that would seek to regulate and legislate farmers … Read More
Food Safety Modernization Act Regulation
Efforts to impose added regulations on dairy farms under the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) are not warranted because milk leaving farms for further processing is not a significant public health risk from intentional adulteration, the National Milk Producers Federation wrote in comments to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA is reviewing comments about the FSMA law, which … Read More
Chicken Council Testimony on Trade
The Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing Wednesday on “Trade Enforcement: Using Trade Rules to Level the Playing Field for U.S. Companies and Workers” addressing concerns that as new trade agreements are being considered those that are already in place are not being adequately enforced. “Without strong enforcement, no trade deal – old or new – is able to … Read More
NMPF Praises EPA Decision on U.S. Waterways Regulation
The National Milk Producers Federation today praised the Environmental Protection Agency for agreeing to allow more time to examine a controversial draft regulation expanding the waterways subject to pollution controls under the federal Clean Water Act. “Dairy farmers are committed to protecting U.S. waters both voluntarily and under the Clean Water Act,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern, “but … Read More
Iowa Congressman is Animal Ag Advocate
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) paid a visit to World Pork Expo last week to talk with producers and learn more about the issues they are facing right now. The congressman represents the 4th district of the state in the northwest corner, bordering Minnesota, South Dakota and Nebraska, and he is a strong advocate for livestock producers. During the farm bill … Read More
NPPC Environmental Issues Update
National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) president-elect Dr. Ron Prestage of South Carolina provided an update on some environmental issues on the forefront for the hog industry during World Pork Expo last week. First of all, Prestage says pork producers are encouraged by Environmental Protection Agency administrator Gina McCarthy, who has been in the position for the past year or so. … Read More
TPP Must Deliver Meaningful Access for All Dairy Products
The majority of U.S. dairy farmer cooperatives and dairy processing companies, all of which are members of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) or the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), threatened to withdraw support from the pending Trans-Pacific trade agreement if Japan and Canada refuse to follow through on pledges to provide comprehensive market access for U.S. dairy products. NMPF … Read More