Agriculture groups argued against California’s Proposition 12 to the Supreme Court last week. The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Pork Producers Council challenged the ability of one state to set agricultural production standards for the entire country. California’s Proposition 12 law bans the sale of pork from hogs that don’t meet the state’s arbitrary production standards, even if the …
Disaster Declaration Sought for Farms, Ranches
State Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried on Thursday requested a federal disaster declaration for 17 counties after Hurricane Ian caused widespread damage to farms and ranches. Fried sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture pointing to farm and ranch losses in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Seminole …
FY23 Signup Deadline Announced for Alabama’s Easement and Financial Assistance Programs
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has announced signup is underway for Fiscal Year 2023 Farm Bill Easement and Financial Assistance Programs. Those programs include: ACEP-WRE easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality by filtering sediments and chemicals, reduce flooding, recharge groundwater, protect biological diversity and provide opportunities for educational, …
Thune Introduces Bill to Improve Livestock Disaster Assistance
Senators John Thune and Ben Ray Luján recently introduced the Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act. The bipartisan legislation by the South Dakota Republican and New Mexico Democrat would improve the effectiveness and timeliness of multiple Department of Agriculture programs that assist farmers and ranchers in the aftermath of adverse weather events. The legislation would also provide USDA with direction to …
Florida Lawmakers to Free Up More Relief Money
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Oct. 05, 2022) — Florida lawmakers plan to pump more money into a new state disaster-relief fund, which Gov. Ron DeSantis has been running through to speed recovery from Hurricane Ian. House and Senate leaders announced Wednesday the Joint Legislative Budget Commission will hold an emergency meeting next week to release an additional $360 million into the Emergency Preparedness …
NCBA Participates in White House Conference
For the first time in more than half a century, President Biden this week hosted the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health. The event was designed to catalyze action for the millions of Americans struggling with food insecurity and diet-related diseases like diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. Various representatives from the agriculture industry attended, and that included National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) …
AFBF Says Court ESA Ruling ‘Sends a Message’
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) says an appeals court ruling on Modernized Endangered Species Act regulations sends a message to lower courts. Modernized Endangered Species Act regulations will be reinstated after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a district court improperly vacated 2019 revisions. The appeals court determined a district court erred by reversing the regulations without …
Producers Convey Pork Industry Priorities during NPPC Fly-in
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) held its fall Legislative Action Conference last week, as nearly 100 pork producers were in Washington, D.C., meeting with their members of Congress to discuss pork industry priorities. Over the two-day event, producers asked lawmakers to: Press the Biden administration to join the 11-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership and to negotiate an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework …
TRUCKS Act Gains Support
Legislation that affects agricultural trucking is getting some support. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) of South Dakota introduced the TRUCKS Act, formally known as the Trucking Regulations Unduly Constricting Known Service-providers Act. It would allow states to issue a new Small Business Restricted Commercial Driver’s License without having to meet the federal safety program Entry-Level Driver Training requirements that were passed …
Lawmakers Ask USTR To Protect Growers from Unfair Practices by Mexico
Lawmakers led by Florida Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) recently asked U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to investigate the flood of surplus agricultural products from Mexico. The request, filed as a petition under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, says actions by Mexico over the last two decades have burdened and restricted U.S. commerce. The lawmakers say that for …