(AFBF) — The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall. “One message came through loud and clear from today’s hearing: It’s time to wrap up negotiations and ratify USMCA. Rarely, if ever, have we heard support from such diverse interests, recognizing the …
Farm Bureau Urges New Chapter in China Trade
(AFBF) — The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “All eyes will be on this week’s trade negotiations in China because reopening the door to one of the largest markets in the world is key to helping farmers get back on their feet. “We wholly support the Administration’s efforts to stop unfair trade …
Japanese Delegation in Washington This Week for Trade Talks
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told Agri-Pulse last week that a delegation from Japan will be in Washington this week for trade negotiations. The talks are scheduled to get underway on Thursday, August 1. Lighthizer will actually be in China early this week to continue discussions aimed at ending the trade war between the U.S. and China. However, he’s expected …
U.S. and Guatemala Working Together on H-2A Recruiting
(NAFB) — Governments in the U.S. and Guatemala are working together to form a “registered Foreign Labor Recruiter Program” for farmworkers who want to come to the U.S. Politico says the initiative is part of several agreements that the governments are discussing to address what they call “irregular immigration patterns.” Under the program, the U.S. would prioritize H-2A visa applications …
Alabama Ag Commissioner Pate Supports USMCA
Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate issued the following statement on July 26, 2019: Alabama’s agricultural and forestry producers and related industries have been resilient in the face of hurricanes, tornados, floods, and droughts that devastated our state in the last few months. In addition to weathering these natural disasters, farmers and foresters now find themselves literally waiting on an Act …
DOC Announces Preliminary Dumping Margin on Mexican Tomato Imports
Department of Commerce Refutes Mexican Claims of No Dumping:Announces Preliminary Dumping Margin of 25% on Mexican Tomato Imports On July 24, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced that Mexican tomatoes are being dumped in the United States. The preliminary average dumping margin is 25.28 percent. This announcement refutes the recent Mexican claims that the data submitted to the DOC …
Farm Bureau: Family Farmer Relief Act Will Help Farmers Stay in Business
(AFBF) — The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “America’s farmers and ranchers applaud the House passage of the Family Farmer Relief Act. After several consecutive years of a trying farm economy, updating Chapter 12 bankruptcy eligibility to the current scale and credit needs of U.S. agriculture is a necessity. Today’s action will …
New Hemp Industry Buoyed by CBD Demand
TALLAHASSEE (NSF) — Hemp has been hyped as a lifesaver for Florida farmers, touted as a versatile crop that can be used to build houses, feed livestock and create clothing. But it’s the plant’s healing qualities that have sparked a second cannabis “green rush,” as the state’s hemp program gets off the ground. The nationwide craze for products containing CBD …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces Members of New Hemp Advisory Committee
Tallahassee, Fla. (FDACS) — Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced the members of her new Hemp Advisory Committee, which will help guide the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ hemp rulemaking process and the state’s emerging hemp industry development. Commissioner Fried is committed to Florida becoming a national leader on industrial hemp production. The appointment of committee members comes after the …
DeSantis, Cabinet Back Conservation Land Buys
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and Cabinet members agreed Thursday to buy and conserve more than 900 acres of land across the state at a combined cost of just over $11 million. The land, which will be acquired with Florida Forever conservation funds, are 717 acres within the Wakulla Springs Protection Zone in Wakulla County, 129 acres in Charlotte County …