The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving forward with implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, with the first major compliance dates beginning next month for large food facilities. While the major provisions of the FSMA rules are being implemented as planned, the FDA issued a final rule that extends and clarifies the compliance dates for certain provisions … Read More
Vilsack Awards $17.8 Million in Grants
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has awarded a new investment of $17.8 million to 37 different projects that are helping to educate, mentor, and enhance the sustainability of the next generation of farmers. The investment is made through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), which has invested more than $126 million into projects targeting … 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
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
Dairy Groups Support Senate on GMO Labeling Decision
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) thanked members of the United States Senate for approving a cloture motion today that will set up a final vote on legislation for a federal, uniform labeling system for foods produced using biotechnology. The final vote is expected to take place by Friday afternoon. The legislation was negotiated by Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and … Read More
NMPF Urges Passage of Biotech Food Labeling Legislation
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) joined a group of more than 1,000 agriculture, business and food companies in urging the Senate to pass legislation that would create a uniform, federal system for labeling foods produced using biotechnology. The letter, addressed to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), was sent by the Coalition for Safe … Read More
NMPF Statement on Food Biotech Legislation
U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., released the following statement on reaching a bipartisan agriculture biotechnology compromise solution. “This bipartisan agreement is an important path forward that represents a true compromise. Since time is of the essence, we urge our colleagues to move swiftly to support this bill.” Jim Mulhern, President and … Read More
House Holds Hearing on Wild Horse & Burro Program
Nevada State Veterinarian and fourth generation cattleman, J.J. Goicoechea, testified on behalf of the Public Lands Council, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Nevada Cattlemen’s Association during the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Federal Lands hearing on the challenges and potential solutions for the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. For over 40 years, the BLM’s … Read More