Tag Archives: AGRICULTURE

Senate Released Bipartisan Draft of Farm Bill

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As previously reported on this blog, in March 2018, House Agricultural Committee Chairman Michael Conway delayed the release of the draft law renewing farm and nutrition programs due to opposition to cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP offers nutrition assistance to more than 47 million eligible, low-income individuals and families, and is … Continue Reading

Bipartisan Senate Bill to Increase Ag Export Funding Praised by Farmers

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Legislation that would increase funding for two U.S. Department of Agriculture export promotion programs was introduced in the U.S. Senate last week. Sponsored by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), and Susan Collins (R-ME), the “Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act” (S. 1839) would increase funding for … Continue Reading

Cattle Producers Sue USDA to Reinstate COOL

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As previously covered on this blog, in 2013, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented country of origin labeling (COOL) rules, requiring meat labels to indicate where animals were born, raised, and slaughtered.  Meatpacking and livestock commodity groups in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico challenged the COOL requirements via appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and … Continue Reading

USDA Creates Trade Undersecretary Post

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As background, Section 3208 of the Agricultural Act of 2014, Pub. L. 113-70 (7 USC §6935) required the Secretary of Agriculture to propose a reorganization of international trade functions for imports and exports, including a plan for the establishment of the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs (U/Sec TFAA). On May 11, 2017, … Continue Reading

Sonny Perdue Becomes 31st U.S. Agriculture Secretary

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On April 24, the U.S. Senate confirmed former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as Secretary of Agriculture by a vote of 87 to 11 and on April 25, 2017 he became the 31st United States Secretary of Agriculture. Perdue, 70, grew up on a dairy farm and holds a doctorate in veterinary medicine. In announcing the … Continue Reading

Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect American Agricultural Interests in Foreign Acquisitions

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By way of background, foreign governments have recently made substantial investments in U.S. agriculture. Most notably, Smithfield’s sale to Chinese firm Shuangui, Syngenta’s acquisition by Chinese-government owned group ChemChina and Bayer’s proposed acquisition of Monsanto.  Transactions such as these are reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), a panel of … Continue Reading

Oregon Contemplates GMO Ban

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While much attention in the area of genetically modified organism (GMO) legislation has previously focused on labeling laws such as Vermont’s labeling law and, more recently, the federal GMO bill signed into law on July 29, 2016, various local jurisdictions have considered or enacted local bans on the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops. Earlier this month, … Continue Reading

Will COOL Make a Come Back?

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As previously covered on this blog, mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) rules for beef products have long been the subject of controversy and challenge, culminating in a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that the COOL requirements violate U.S. trade obligations to Canada and Mexico and Congress repealing COOL as of December 21, 2015. With a … Continue Reading

GAP Analysis

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USDA launches program to facilitate GAP certification for small and mid-sized entities in the produce sector. Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) are a voluntary set of recommendations originally developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1998.  USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) currently operates an audit/certification … Continue Reading

Fertile Grounds

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FDA seeks input on risk assessment regarding use of raw manure as produce fertilizer. Among the issues addressed in FDA’s final rule related to produce safety under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is the use of untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO).  Untreated BSAAO are essentially raw manure from cattle and … Continue Reading

Looser Livestock Export Rules

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USDA loosens livestock export rules. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has regulatory authority over both the import and export of livestock products.  In the import context, APHIS works to ensure that products entering the U.S. meet the Agency’s entry requirements to exclude pests and diseases.  … Continue Reading

Tariff Trouble

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WTO authorizes Canada and Mexico to impose over $1 billion in retaliatory tariffs on U.S. products related to country of origin labeling dispute. As previously covered on this blog, the U.S. has been dealing with the aftermath of a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements unfairly discriminate against … Continue Reading

Animal Pharm

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CFS report addresses use of animal drugs in livestock farming. The ongoing discussion about the use of antibiotics in farming has received renewed interest in light of recent actions by FDA and the state of California to curb routine antibiotic use.  Although recent regulatory and legislative action has focused primarily on antibiotics, other classes of … Continue Reading

Paving the Way for RNA Spray

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RNA spray is touted as an alternative to GMOs. The cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops and the use of GM ingredients in foods continue to be sources of worldwide controversy.  In a recent development, Scotland has announced its intent to ban GM crop growth in its territory.  And debates continue to be waged over the future of … Continue Reading

COOL Cash Cow

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USTR indicates that COOL damages are much lower than Canada and Mexico estimated. As previously covered on this blog, the U.S. government continues to develop strategies to cope with the aftermath of a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that mandatory country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements unfairly discriminate against meat imports.  Because COOL requirements are … Continue Reading

Ag-Gag Red Flag

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Federal judge strikes down Idaho “Ag-Gag” law. As previously covered on this blog, several states have enacted “Ag-Gag” laws that generally seek to prevent individuals or organizations from investigating and publicizing farming conditions and practices that occur on private property.  Thus far, Utah’s and Idaho’s laws have been challenged on 1st and 14th Amendment grounds. On August … Continue Reading

COOL by Choice

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Senate introduces voluntary COOL bill. As previously covered on this blog, Congress has been working to resolve the controversy surrounding country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for meat products.  In the wake of a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that mandatory COOL requirements unfairly discriminate against meat imports — and the WTO’s subsequent rejection of … Continue Reading

Another Ban Bites the Dust

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Federal judge strikes down Maui County’s GM crop ban. As recently covered on this blog, various counties in Hawaii and Oregon have enacted bans on the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops.  Those jurisdictions have been facing legal and practical hurdles related to enforcement of the GM restrictions. On June 30, 2015, a Hawaii federal … Continue Reading

Senate Stalls

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Senate still has not passed bill to repeal COOL requirements. As previously covered on this blog, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill to repeal country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for meat products.  The COOL requirements have long been mired in controversy, culminating in a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that the … Continue Reading

GM Enforcement Woes

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Enforcement woes threaten an Oregon county’s GMO ban. While much attention in the area of GM legislation has focused on Vermont’s labeling law, the fact remains that other U.S. jurisdictions have enacted laws in this area as well.  Specifically, local bans on the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops have been enacted in counties in Hawaii … Continue Reading

Cooling Off

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House votes to repeal COOL requirements for meat. As previously covered on this blog, U.S. country of origin labeling (COOL) rules for meat products have long been the subject of controversy and challenge, culminating in a World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that the COOL requirements violate U.S. trade obligations to Canada and Mexico.  The WTO … Continue Reading

Lights…Camera…Ag-tion

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North Carolina’s recently enacted “Ag-Gag” law imposes civil consequences for interfering with private property. “Ag-Gag” legislation generally seeks to prevent individuals or organizations from investigating and publicizing farming conditions and practices that occur on private property.  Several states have introduced and enacted Ag-Gag measures to date, but Utah’s and Idaho’s laws currently face constitutional challenges on … Continue Reading

Friday Follow-Up

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House Agricultural Committee votes to repeal COOL requirements. As covered on this blog earlier this week, the World Trade Organization (WTO) rejected the U.S. appeal of a ruling regarding the propriety of its country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements for meat products.  The WTO’s latest action means that its earlier ruling against the COOL requirements … Continue Reading

Un-COOL

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WTO rejects U.S. appeal of COOL ruling. In 2013, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implemented country of origin labeling (COOL) rules, requiring meat labels to indicate where animals were born, raised, and slaughtered.  Meatpacking and livestock commodity groups in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico challenged the COOL requirements via appeal to the World Trade … Continue Reading
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