Consumers are confused between foods labeled as “organic” and “non-genetically modified,” according to a new study led by a University of Florida professor. In fact, researchers found that some consumers view the two labels as synonymous. When Congress approved the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard in June 2016, lawmakers allowed companies two years – until June 2018 – to label …
Brazil’s JBS Suspending Work at Seven Facilities
Brazil’s JBS SA announced last week it would suspend its cattle purchases and slaughter activities at seven facilities for an indefinite period. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports the move follows a local court decision that decided to freeze the U.S. equivalent of $230 million in assets belonging to the controlling company of JBS. The assets were blocked following the request …
Legislation Against Farm Bill Cuts a Non-Starter
Senator Pat Roberts says there will not be a vote on a proposal to protect the farm bill from budget cuts. The Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman says the Senate will not consider the bill offered up by the committee’s ranking Democrat, Debbie Stabenow. She filed the bill last week that aimed to keep all farm bill programs away from any …
Trade Negotiators at Odds Over NAFTA Proposals
Trade negotiators are accusing each other of sabotaging attempts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) following the latest round of talks. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland accused the U.S. of pursuing a “winner take all” approach. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said of the talks that the NAFTA trade partners do not seem “willing to make any …
Ag Exports Key to Trump NAFTA Deficit Strategy
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts says agricultural exports are key to achieving President Donald Trump’s plan for reducing the trade deficit with NAFTA members. The White House says more ag exports into Canada and Mexico through the North American Free Trade Agreement will help reduce the trade deficit, and Senator Roberts agrees. Roberts spoke with U.S. Trade Representative Robert …
Report: Farm Lending Stabilizing
The Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank reports farm lending has stabilized, but risks remain. The Federal Reserve’s Agricultural Finance Databook shows risks in the sector have remained alongside a persistently weak agricultural economy. The volume of non-real estate farm loans originated in the third quarter this year increased about two percent from the previous year. The slight increase followed a …
Securing All Livestock Equitably Details
Livestock producers many times only have one payday a year. That’s when they load trucks and head to the local sale barn. This day can be nerve-racking for the producer as they wait to see how the market will fare for them. It can be made more nerve-racking and even stomach sickening when the check for the livestock does not …
GPC Applauds Revision of Seg. 2 Peanuts Published in Federal Register
The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) applauds the efforts of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service final rule (7 CFR Part 996) published in the Federal Register to revise the minimum quality and handling standards for domestic and imported peanuts marketed in the United States. This rule implements a recommendation from the Peanut Standards Board to raise the …
RFA Statement on EPA Letter to Senators on RFS Commitment
In a letter to seven senators sent late Thursday, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt committed to final 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard renewable volume obligations at levels equal or greater to those that the agency proposed in July, as well as a commitment to finalize the rule by the Nov. 30 statutory deadline. In the letter, Pruitt also announced EPA will finalize …
Trump may be Keeping Campaign Promise on Protecting Renewable Fuels Mandate
President Trump may be keeping his campaign promise on protecting the nation’s renewable fuels mandate. Administration sources have told various media that the White House ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to hold off on controversial changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard. The move comes after a political backlash from Midwestern lawmakers. Calls to the White House were not immediately returned, …