On April 27th, a group of veterinarians will head to Capitol Hill to meet with senators and representatives to talk about legislation that will increase access to veterinary services in rural areas. They also want to talk about legislation to help in reducing the spread of diseases that pose a threat to animal and public health. The American Veterinary Medical …
Senator Previews Support, Opposition to Cattle Market Reforms
The chief sponsor of cattle market reform legislation, Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, recently spoke with farm reporters about his expectations for upcoming hearings on his bill later this month. Grassley says he knows what the top four beef packing company executives think of his Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act. “What they think about it is, everything’s alright, nothing needs to …
Farm Groups Oppose Final NEPA Changes
Key farm groups are opposing the Biden Administration’s final phase 1 revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) affecting major infrastructure projects. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) say the revised NEPA rules are a step backwards and jeopardize the very projects the Biden Administration is promoting. Here is AFBF’s Shelby Hagenauer. …
Lawmakers Urging Supreme Court to Adopt Limited WOTUS Rule
A group of lawmakers jointly filed an amicus brief supporting the petitioners in the pending U.S. Supreme Court case Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. The decision in the case will clarify what waterways are considered “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, which will determine the scope of the federal government’s authority in regulating private citizens and businesses under the …
AFBF: NEPA Changes Signal Return to Outdated, Cumbersome Regulations
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall commented Wednesday on the final phase 1 revisions to the National Environmental Policy Act, known as NEPA. Duvall says, “AFBF is disappointed that the Biden administration has decided to reverse commonsense reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act.” AFBF says farmers and ranchers share the goal of caring for the natural resources …
Four Meatpacker CEOs to Testify at Congressional Hearing
The four CEOs of Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS, and National Beef Packing have agreed to testify before Congress. Reuters says the meatpacker bosses will discuss cattle markets and price increases for consumers. House Ag Committee Chair David Scott says it’s important to find out why prices have dropped for ranchers and risen for consumers. “In addition to the CEO panel, …
Good Alabama Legislative Session for Agriculture
The 2022 Alabama Legislative Session wrapped up last week in Montgomery. Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President Erin Beasley says it was a good session for agriculture. The session was scheduled to end by April 25th, but lawmakers were able to get the business of the state taken care of much quicker this year. For more information, contact Beasley at the …
Georgia 2022 Legislative Session Wrapping Up
The 2022 Georgia Legislative Session, is wrapping up as lawmakers continue to move on issues of importance to agriculture in the state. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley talked with Southeast AgNet’s Sabrina Halvorson and says there are a few issues still to be settled. The 2022 Georgia State Legislative session is scheduled to end April 4th. To keep track of any of the …
Revised Cattle Market Reform Bill is Out
Revised cattle market reform legislation is out and awaiting a Senate hearing, but one of its authors concedes White House backing is still uncertain. Chief sponsor of the bipartisan Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act, Iowa U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, says both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue have been involved with his bill. “We’ve worked for months with Secretary Vilsack and …
Florida Governor Vetoes Redistricting Plan
(NSF/Tallahassee/March 29, 2022) — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday vetoed a congressional redistricting plan passed by the Legislature and said he was calling lawmakers back to Tallahassee in April to draw lines without what he calls a “racially gerrymandered” district in North Florida. DeSantis, who had previously announced he would veto the redistricting plan, called a special session from …