Despite posturing by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Canada ‘won’t back down’ on dairy issues, Canada is ready to make concessions. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland rejoined the discussion in Washington this week. The Globe and Mail reports Canada is ready to make concessions to the Trump administration on Canada’s protected dairy market in a bid to save a …
R-CALF Looking for COOL in NAFTA
R-CALF is hopeful the details of the U.S.-Mexico announcement as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations will include country-of-origin meat labeling. R-CALF, a long-time supporter of COOL, in a statement by its CEO said: “We hope that a further release of details will show that COOL will be required for Mexican beef and beef from Mexican …
Environmental Groups Seek Clean Water Language in Farm Bill
Environmental groups want clean water regulations in the farm bill. A coalition of environmental groups penned a letter to the farm bill conference committee with suggestions the coalition claims will “help address the challenges facing the nation’s drinking water supplies.” There have already been several victims of water contamination in the country that professionals who offer camp lejeune water contamination …
Webpage Highlighting Resources to Bridge the Broadband e-Connectivity Infrastructure Gap
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue unveiled a new webpage featuring information about the importance of rural e-Connectivity and the ways the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing to help deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure in rural America. “Rural high-speed broadband e-Connectivity is as important for economic development as rail, roads, bridges and airports – and as vital as the buildouts of …
Atypical Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Confirmed in Florida
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced that it is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding an atypical case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), a neurologic disease of cattle, in a six-year-old, mixed-breed beef cow in Florida. This animal never entered slaughter channels and at no time presented a risk to the food supply, …
Producers Welcome Help But Want End To Trade Disputes
The National Pork Producers Council commended the Trump administration for providing assistance to America’s farmers suffering from the ongoing trade disputes with China, Mexico and other nations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced details of a $12 billion aid package for U.S. agriculture, including a nearly $559 million purchase of pork for federal nutrition assistance and child nutrition programs, …
Caldwell, Fried Ready to Battle for Agriculture Commissioner
State Rep. Matt Caldwell topped a four-way Republican primary for agriculture commissioner Tuesday, while lawyer and medical-marijuana lobbyist Nikki Fried had an easier time emerging from a field of three Democrats to become her party’s nominee for the Cabinet post. The two will now go head-to-head in November to replace term-limited Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who lost a bid for …
Food Safety Professionals Ensure that “What’s in Your Meat” is Safe and Wholesome
As the head of a public health agency that ensures the safety of meat and poultry, food safety is my number one priority. Americans depend on us to keep their food safe. When you see the USDA mark of inspection, you can have confidence that the products have been inspected and passed – meaning that every carcass has been inspected, …
Canada Returns to NAFTA Talks
Negotiators from Canada rushed to Washington, D.C. this week to resume talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States. The U.S. is pushing to get a so-called handshake agreement with Canada, following a framework agreement with Mexico. The U.S. seeks to announce a deal by the end of this week, placing a deadline of Friday. However, …
Canadian Business Council Says NAFTA Agreement Possible this Week
Business groups in Canada say it is possible that Canada could agree to a framework deal on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) this week, in line with a Trump administration goal. Talks are underway between the U.S. and Canada in hopes an updated handshake agreement can be reached, after the U.S. announced an agreement with Mexico. The CEO …