Mexico is calling for flexibility in the North American Free Trade Agreement talks. A trade official from Mexico said Monday that the only way the countries renegotiating NAFTA will find a solution is through “sufficient flexibility” to narrow differences. Further, the official says Mexican and Canadian negotiators will be “engaging strongly” in July to reach an agreement that is “feasible, …
CDC Investigating Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Backyard Poultry
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating several multistate outbreaks of Salmonella infections linked to contact with live poultry in backyard flocks. As of June 1, 2018, 124 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 36 states. Several different types of Salmonella bacteria have made people sick, according to the CDC’s investigation. 21 …
Farm Bureau Hails District Court WOTUS Decision
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall made the following statement on the recent federal district court ruling regarding the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “A federal district court ruling in Georgia late last week has effectively suspended the flawed ‘Waters of the United States’ rule from taking effect in 11 more states that challenged its legality. …
Water Policy Key for Next Agriculture Commissioner
Maintaining Florida’s water supply, while balancing the growing needs of residents, farmers, tourists and businesses, is a priority for the candidates seeking to replace Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. The issue involves helping preserve diverse ecosystems, such as the Everglades and natural springs, without scuttling the economy. Candidates for agriculture commissioner are putting forward a variety of ideas, from continuing …
Chief Ag Negotiator Says It’s “Time to Play Offense”
Greg Doud, Chief Ag Negotiator for the Trump Administration, recently returned from a trip to China and said it’s time to “play offense.” During his career, Doud has been involved in Chinese discussions for more than 15 years. He told AgDay TV at the World Pork Expo that it’s not going to be a fast process. Doud says his most …
Mexican Cheese Tariffs Could Devastate American Dairy Export Sales
Mexico is an important export market for American dairy, specifically cheese. Mexico takes up 28 percent of all U.S. cheese exports, which means it buys more American cheese than any other market. Mexico put the tariffs in place in response to the tariffs on steel and aluminum put into effect by President Trump. U.S. Dairy Export Council President and CEO …
Cruz Still Pushing for Biofuels Overhaul
The lead Senator pushing for biofuels reform, Ted Cruz, met with Environmental Protection Agency Chief Scott Pruitt, one day after the White House announced a biofuels deal fell through. Pruitt had dinner with the Texas Republican on Wednesday night and declined to comment after it was over. Cruz did say the meeting was about the Renewable Fuels Standard and was …
Trump Administration Planning USDA Reorganization
The Trump Administration is planning to put together a government reorganizing report that would include shifting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program away from the USDA and into the Department of Health and Human Services. Several of the proposals in the upcoming report are said to be highly controversial. The SNAP proposal would shrink USDA because the SNAP program is the …
Senate Agriculture Committee Leaders Find Common Ground in Bipartisan Farm Bill
U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., released the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The Committee will meet to consider the legislation at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time on June 13. You will be able to click here to watch live. “When Ranking Member Stabenow and I started this journey in Manhattan, Kansas, last year, we made …
ARS Scientists Are Working to Ensure Safe Waterways in Georgia
Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are developing ways to identify the sources of any potentially harmful bacteria found in the surface waters around Athens, Georgia. The effort is part of an ongoing project to ensure the quality of the area’s waterways, according to Jonathan Frye, an ARS microbiologist in Athens. Volunteers have been collecting water in the Upper Oconee …