Last week, a bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives called the Exposing Agricultural Trade Suppression, or EATS Act. It is designed to prohibit state and local governments from imposing laws and regulations that have the effect of dictating agricultural production practices outside their borders. Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA-2) and Zach Nunn (R-IA-3) introduced the bill, which has …
Farm Bill Doubtful to Override California’s Prop 12
While farmers and ranchers are slightly more optimistic that Congress will get a new farm bill passed this year, Successful Farming says they don’t think the farm bill will get used to overturn California’s Prop 12 animal welfare law. The pork industry is looking for a legislative way to override the requirement after losing a Supreme Court challenge. About 36 …
Challenges for House Ag Labor Working Group
Congress is looking into farm labor needs around the nation, but it is a challenging task. The House Agriculture Committee recently announced the creation of the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group (see news release below), which will focus on the workforce issues faced by agricultural producers around the nation. Congressman and farmer Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01) says the current system needs …
NCBA CEO Outlines Farm Bill Priorities
While it may not be the best time to write a new farm bill, with little new money after the debt limit-budget deal, a dwindling legislative clock, and a hyper-partisan Congress before a presidential election year, that’s not stopping the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Their CEO, Colin Woodall, notes they are focused on a few key priorities for the next farm …
Alabama Cattlemen to Track Special Legislative Session
Last week, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey called a special session of the Legislature to redraw Alabama’s congressional district map. The session, which will begin this month, comes about after the Supreme Court ruling last month. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President Erin Beasley says they will be monitoring the session. For more information, contact the ACA office in Montgomery at 334-265-1867.
Swine Vets Lobby for Foreign Animal Disease Funding in 2023 Farm Bill
Last week, swine veterinarians from around the country flew into Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress to secure funding for foreign animal diseases (FAD) prevention in the 2023 Farm Bill. According to the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), the subject matter experts highlighted was the importance of the “three-legged stool”, which includes the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank (NAVVCB), National Animal Health Laboratory Network …
NCBA Files Legal Motion to Strike Down Biden WOTUS Rule
Wednesday evening, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and litigation partners filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas asking the court to strike down the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA. NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart said, “A full rewrite of the Biden …
Looking at a Trillion Dollar Farm Bill
As efforts continue to write the 2023 Farm Bill, some feel this bill will cost over a trillion dollars. Tyron Spearman has the story.
Commodity Groups Provide Feedback on Farm Bill
Various commodity groups continue their efforts in providing feedback for the 2023 Farm Bill. Tyron Spearman has more on that, along with a look at events coming up of interest to peanut growers across the Southeast.
Farm Bill Discussion Centered around Money
As discussions about the 2023 Farm Bill continue, many have come to realize money is what is driving some of the concerns about what can be done when writing the new bill. Tyron Spearman has the story.