biotechnology policies

Secretary Vilsack Regarding USMCA Dispute Settlement Consultations Request on Mexico’s Agricultural Biotechnology Measures

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, Trade

(USDA/WASHINGTON DC/June 2, 2023) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) that the United States has requested dispute settlement consultations with Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). These consultations are in regard to Mexico’s agricultural biotechnology policies. “USDA supports success for all farmers, and that means …

watching

Secretary Vilsack on the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill

Dan Agri-Business, Economy

(USDA/WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2022) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement after the U.S. Senate and U.S. House passed the fiscal year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, sending to President Biden’s desk several crucial investments to advance the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) priorities for rural America: “As we wrap up a successful year advancing USDA’s priorities to build more, …

vilsack

Vilsack, Tai, Meet with Ag Policy Advisory Committee

Dan Legislative, Regulation

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai released a statement following a meeting with the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee last week. Ambassador Tai detailed how the Biden-Harris Administration’s trade agenda aligns with the objectives of the agricultural sector. The Ambassador discussed how USTR is working to support the ability of U.S. agricultural producers to expand access to …

agriculture

Agriculture Secretary on Improving Ag Transportation Infrastructure

Dan General, Legislative, Regulation

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is emphasizing the importance of broad rural infrastructure improvements in efforts to build up rural communities and their commodities. He explains the competitive price advantage U.S. farmers and ranchers have as a result of our nation’s transportation system. But, he explains why the upgrade to our agricultural transportation network and infrastructure is needed. Vilsack notes the …

Local Working Group

Vilsack Delivers Statement at Immigrant Farmworkers Hearing

Dan Labor and Immigration, USDA

On Wednesday, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack testified during the “Immigrant Farmworkers are Essential to Feeding America” Judiciary Committee hearing. This was the first-ever appearance by an Agriculture Secretary before the full Senate Judiciary Committee. During his opening statement, Vilsack discussed the important role immigrant farmworkers have in the food and agriculture industry and the overall economy. Vilsack said we …

National Pollinator Week

Agriculture Sec. Vilsack Issues Proclamation Recognizing National Pollinator Week

Dan Pollinators, USDA-NRCS

(WASHINGTON, June 21, 2021) – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) proclamation to recognize the designation of the week of June 21 – 27, 2021 as National Pollinator Week. Pollinator species, such as birds, bats, bees, and other insects, play an important role in producing more than 100 crops grown in the United States. Honey …

packers

Vilsack Weighs in on PSA Investigator Bill

Dan Beef, Cattle, Legislative, Livestock, Marketing, Regulation, USDA

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack weighed in this week on a bill to create a Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) investigator at USDA to boost price discovery and transparency in the highly concentrated livestock sector. He says a Packers and Stockyards Act investigator could be part of broader USDA action to deal with unfair market practices harming small independent producers. “I …

investments

Vilsack on New Initiative Helping Small Meat Processing Facilities

Dan Beef, Cattle, Livestock, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats, USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to invest more than $4 billion to strengthen critical supply chains through their Build Back Better initiative. The new effort will strengthen the food system, create new market opportunities, tackle the climate crisis, help communities that have been left behind, and support good-paying jobs throughout the supply chain. During a call …