The International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) showed support last week for a new congressional effort to prod federal regulators to crack down on the inappropriate labeling of products designed to imitate milk. In a letter written by Reps. Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Peter Welch (D-VT), and cosigned by a bipartisan coalition of 32 … Read More
Animal Ag Reacts To GIPSA Proposal
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a final rule for the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) yesterday. USDA refers to the rule as common sense protections to restore fairness and reduce the burden for farmers seeking justice under the Packers and Stockyards Act. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement joined by National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson … Read More
@BeefUSA Conducts Aggressive Membership Campaign
A hard-hitting, two-month membership campaign is being conducted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association to strengthen the U.S. cattle producer’s voice in Washington, D.C. on issues critical to both individual cattlemen and women and the nation’s cattle industry. The “Tough Times Require a Tough Team” campaign will run through Jan. 31, 2017, and features benefits to cattle producers that are … Read More
Proposed Tax Regulation Threaten Multigen Cattle Operations
The Internal Revenue Service hosted a public hearing this week on a Department of Treasury proposed rule that would eliminate or greatly reduce available valuation discounts for family-related entities. Kevin Kester, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association vice president, said the regulation would effectively discourage families from continuing to operate or grow their businesses and passing them on to future generations. Many … Read More
Obama Promotes Antibiotic Myths In Bill Maher Interview
Agricultural interests are concerned about several comments made by President Barack Obama in an interview that discussed antibiotic use in animals on HBO’s Realtime with Bill Maher last week. While the President emphasized the value of science-based policies in the interview, several of his statements lack science-based supporting evidence and suggest a misunderstanding of the current policies enforced by the … Read More
GlobalVetLINK Hosting VFD Webinar
As producers gear up for the FDA’s January 1 implementation of Guidance for Industry (GFI) #209, GlobalVetLINK will be hosting a free Question & Answer Webinar related to the GFI 209 and the changes related to the use of Veterinary Feed Directives (VFDs). The webinar will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at 12:00 p.m. CT, and is intended for … Read More
USEF Submits Comment on Horse Protection Act
The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has submitted comments in response to the proposed amendments to the regulations that implement the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Horse Protection Act. The comments commend the USDA in its efforts to strengthen the regulations and further protect horses from the practice of soring and explain that USEF seeks to partner with the … Read More
NCBA & PLC Accepting Applications for Spring Internships
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the Public Lands Council’s government affairs office in Washington, D.C., is accepting applications for a 2017 Spring public policy intern as well as a semester law clerk. The deadline to submit an application for either position is Oct. 22, 2016. The internships give college students the opportunity to work alongside staff on a … Read More
FDA Hosting Webinar on FSMA Draft Guidances
The FDA Foods and Veterinary Program is hosting a webinar to discuss FDA’s recent announcement of the FSMA draft guidances for current good manufacturing practices requirements for food for animals and the human food by-products for use as animal food. The webinar is set to be held October 14, 2016, 1:00 – 2:00pm, ET. The draft guidances were made in … Read More
Senate Highlights EPA Enforcement of WOTUS
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has released a report highlighting examples of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) illegally asserting jurisdiction over features that are traditionally exempt from the Clean Water Act. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals is continuing their nationwide stay on enforcement of EPA’s “waters of the United States” final rule, but according to this … Read More