EATS Act

Two Sides of the EATS Act

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative, Regulation

Things are heating up over the EATS Act. Supporters of the bill say the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act would prevent states from regulating farmers and ranchers nationwide. “The EATS Act does two things. First, it prohibits the states, like California, from passing a law that would impact production practices in other states. And then in the event that …

cammack

Cammack Expects Tough Battle for Farm Bill

Dan Agri-Business, Farm Bill, Legislative

There’s just over a month until the current farm bill expires, and some lawmakers are gearing up for a tough fight. Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL) spoke at the Sweetener Symposium in California last week and said she’s expecting a battle over the farm bill. In an interview with us on Monday, she explained some of the issues she expects. …

horse protection

USDA Proposal to Strengthen Horse Protection Act

Dan Agri-Business, Equine, Legislative, Livestock, Regulation, This Land of Ours, USDA-APHIS

A proposed rule to strengthen horse protection. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks public input on a proposed rule to strengthen Horse Protection Act (HPA) requirements. Announced last week, the proposed changes aim to eliminate horse soring, a practice that gives horse owners and trainers an unfair advantage in …

mcool

Bill Introduced to Reinstate MCOOL

Dan Beef, Cattle, Legislative, Marketing, Regulation

U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD) introduced the Beef Origin Labeling Accountability Act to bring clarity and to reinstate Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL) for beef products. “Consumers don’t know where their beef comes from,” Johnson says. “It could be South Dakota, Brazil, or Canada. U.S. producers raise better beef, and they’re not getting credit for it.” The act will …

rural veterinary

Groups Applaud First Senate Veterinary Medicine Caucus

Dan Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Legislative, Livestock, Regulation

The U.S. Senate has established a Veterinary Medicine Caucus for the first time ever. The caucus will focus on increasing awareness toward veterinary-related matters in Congress, educating lawmakers and their staffs about the challenges facing the profession, and advancing the legislation that benefits the veterinary community. The bipartisan caucus will be led by Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). …

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Florida Ag Commissioner Reminds Local Governments of New Law Prohibiting Special Assessments on Agricultural Land

Dan Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Legislative, Regulation

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/August 9, 2023) — Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson addressed a letter to local governments reminding them of the new provision in State Law prohibiting counties from levying special assessments on agricultural lands. Read the letter below and here. August 9, 2023 Greetings, As Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, my top priority is to ensure that Florida agriculture continues …

pork producers

Large Pork Producers Don’t Favor Overturning Prop 12

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork, Regulation

Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would overturn California’s Prop 12. Reuters says some of the country’s biggest pork producers who’ve already spent money to comply with the California requirements don’t favor throwing out Prop 12. The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act would curb states’ ability to regulate agricultural products sold within their borders. The bill was introduced …

off act

NCBA President Slams Regulatory Onslaught by Biden Agencies

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Cattle, Legislative, Marketing, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Regulation

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Todd Wilkinson recently slammed administration overregulation during a recent NCBA Beltway Beef podcast. Wilkinson says Biden agencies from the EPA to the Bureau of Land Management are trying to take away the cattle industry’s freedoms. He cites recent EPA statements that it can make minor changes to its Waters of the U.S. rule after the …