The House Agriculture Committee approved H.R. 4895, a bill to reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit Subcommittee Ranking Member Austin Scott (GA-8) released the following remarks upon passage: “This reauthorization provides the CFTC with the tools it needs to successfully regulate the U.S. derivatives market, safeguard consumers, …
U.S. and China on Track to Sign Phase One Agreement
(NAFB) — The U.S. and China are on track to sign the phase one trade agreement next month. President Donald Trump this week stated the negotiations are running “ahead of schedule.” The South China Morning Post reports Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set for a November 17 meeting in Chile to sign the interim trade deal. Trump says …
Robust Debate Expected on E-Verify in Florida
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis will prioritize a controversial proposal that would require Florida businesses to use a federal system to check the immigration status of new hires, but the leader of the Florida Senate said Tuesday he is “cautious” about passing such a plan. “I expect there will be a robust debate, but the case is going to have …
Commissioner Nikki Fried on USDA Federal Hemp Program Rules
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its long-awaited Domestic Hemp Production Program rules, following the reclassification of hemp as an agricultural commodity in the 2018 federal Farm Bill. Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried, who will oversee Florida’s state hemp program through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, offered the following statement: “The announcement by the USDA is welcome news …
USDA Establishes Domestic Hemp Production Program
(USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the establishment of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. This program, as required by the 2018 farm bill, creates a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the United States. “At USDA, we are always excited when there are new economic opportunities for our farmers, and we hope the ability to …
USDA Pauses RFID Ear Tag Proposal
(NAFB) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has paused its effort to mandate radio-frequency identification (RFID) ear tags for cattle and bison. The proposal would have mandated the ear tags for animals moved in interstate commerce beginning in January of 2023. A guidance document detailing the proposal on the USDA website was recently removed, following a lawsuit against the …
Alicia Adler Joins NABC, USHBC as Vice President
Resume Includes Securing Over $10 Million in Grant Funds for Specialty Crops (NABC) — Alicia Adler, an experienced grant writing and marketing executive who’s secured over $10 million in state and federal grant funds for U.S. specialty crops, has joined the North American Blueberry Council (NABC) and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) as vice president. Adler brings a wealth …
Voting Begins for 2019 FSA County Committee Elections
Eligible Voters to Receive Ballots Week of Nov. 4 (USDA/FSA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots on November 4 to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections. “Our county committee members play a key role in our efforts to provide assistance to producers,” said FSA Administrator …
Cattlemen Applaud Introduction of Real MEAT Act of 2019
Bill Aims to Combat Deceptive Labeling of Plant-Based Fake Meat (NCBA) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauded the bipartisan introduction of the Real MEAT (Marketing Edible Artificials Truthfully) Act of 2019 by U.S. Reps. Roger Marshall (R – 1st Dist., Kansas) and Anthony Brindisi (D – 21st Dist., N.Y.) “A growing number of fake meat products are clearly …
U.S. Sugar Applauds Governor DeSantis’ Support of C-43 Reservoir Project
(U.S. Sugar) — “We applaud Governor Ron DeSantis for his commitment to completing Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects that are critical to stopping the damaging freshwater discharges and advancing restoration. As a partner in Everglades Restoration for nearly 25 years, the people of U.S. Sugar share Governor DeSantis’ strong desire to complete all projects that will increase storage and …