Stay tuned to World Dairy Diary for the latest news on this announcement. On Thursday, March 26th at 1:00pm Eastern, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will hold a news teleconference call to make an announcement benefiting both the dairy farmers and domestic nutrition programs. Representatives from National Milk Producers Federation and Feeding America will also take part.
Hamburg New Commissioner at FDA
Last week, President Obama also officially announced several appointments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Former New York City health chief Margaret A. Hamburg is the new FDA commissioner. Baltimore Health Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein will be Hamburg’s deputy. Obama also said he is forming a Food Safety Working Group to “upgrade our food safety laws for the 21st century.” … Read More
Obama Speaks Out on Nonambulatory Cows
In his weekly address to the nation, President Obama promised to amend federal meat inspection rules to require a total ban on the slaughter of cattle that become nonambulatory after passing initial inspection. The final rule would require all cattle that are nonambulatory disabled (”downer”) cattle at any time prior to slaughter at an official establishment, including those that become … Read More
IDairy Urges Mandatory Animal ID
IDairy was on Capital Hill today, urging members of Congress to reconsider a mandatory National Animal Identification System (NAIS) to serve as a collective insurance policy in the event of an animal disease emergency. Dairy producer Karen Jordan, DVM, from Siler City, North Carolina, testified that the dairy industry “collectively believe(s) that our industry will be best served when all … Read More
USDA Considers Elimination of Producer-Handler Exemption in Federal Milk Marketing Orders
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is already moving forward to examine a petition submitted last month by National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) to eliminate the producer-handler exemption in all Federal Milk Marketing Orders. In the proposal, submitted by NMPF and International Dairy Foods Association, large producer-handlers bottling more than 450,000 pounds of milk per month would no longer be able … Read More
Calif. Bill Proposes Antibiotic Restrictions
From latest Drovers Alert: State Sen. Dean Florez (D-Shafter) has introduced a bill that will dictate antibiotic use in animal agriculture in California. Senate Bill 416 would prohibit a school or school district from serving poultry and meat products treated with antibiotics. Additionally, the bill seeks to prohibit the use of antibiotics for nontherapeutic and prophylactic use in animals raised … Read More
Farm Bureau Applauds Legislation
According to an American Farm Bureau Federation press release, legislation introduced today to prevent a “cow tax” on farmers and ranchers is both “timely and critical.” In a letter to the bill’s sponsors, Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), AFBF commended their bipartisan efforts and said the organization would work with them to ensure that the legislation gains … Read More
Potential Cut to Farm Subsidies Under Fire
Top Democrats and Republicans are already shooting down President Obama’s plan to cut farm subsidies, dealing a blow to one of the cost-savings promises he laid out in his congressional address Tuesday night. “We’ll have to see what specifically the president is talking about, but we just finished the farm bill last year, and I don’t think we’ll open it … Read More
Merrigan Named Deputy Secretary
President Barack Obama has chosen Kathleen Merrigan, a professor who helped develop U.S. organic food labeling rules, as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. Merrigan, tapped for deputy secretary of agriculture, was head of the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service from 1999-2001 during the Clinton presidency and helped to develop the USDA’s rules on what can be sold as organic food. As … Read More
Wisconsin to Continue to Protect Farmland
The Dairy Business Association (DBA) applauds Governor Jim Doyle for protecting farmland in his 2009-2011 Biennial Budget that was delivered last evening. This provision will ensure that Wisconsin’s $20 billion dairy industry will remain a vital part of the State’s economy and allow growth and expansion. “DBA members across the state applaud Governor Doyle and Secretary Nilsestuen for including important … Read More