by Sabrina Halvorson As a longtime farmer, John Duarte of California has paid close attention to immigration bills and now as a first-term congressman, he has the opportunity to support one. Congressman Duarte (R-CA) is a co-sponsor of the updated Dignity Act, which was recently reintroduced by a bipartisan group of representatives led by Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and …
Beagle Brigade Act Gaining Support
by Sabrina Halvorson Support is growing for the Beagle Brigade Act. Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI-08) introduced the bill in the House and says it’s a vital act for agriculture. “It’s an act with a cute name but a very important purpose. The Beagle Brigade Act helps protect America’s food supply from foreign pests from diseases that come in through …
Bill Would Make Feral Swine Eradication Program Permanent
A group of Senators recently introduced the “Feral Swine Eradication Act” to extend it for five years and make a pilot program permanent that would eliminate wild hogs to safeguard public health and protect agricultural crops and lands and wildlife habitat. Those Senators include Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA). Similar legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House. …
ASI Endorses Animal Health Legislation
Livestock producer trade groups, including the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), recently offered their support for the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance and Rapid Response Act of 2023 (H.R. 3419 and S. 1666). The bipartisan and bicameral legislation would continue making critical investments in foreign animal disease response programs currently overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. ASI President Brad Boner of Wyoming said, …
Agricultural Groups Pleased with WOTUS Ruling
Agricultural groups across the country continue to applaud the U.S. Supreme Court for their ruling in the Sackett v. EPA case, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). The Court stated that the wetland under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act must have ‘a continuous surface connection with that water,’ making it difficult to determine where the water ends and the wetland begins. NCBA Chief Counsel …
Many Agricultural Groups Commend SCOTUS Ruling on WOTUS
Many agricultural groups are applauding the U.S. Supreme Court for their ruling in the Sackett v. EPA case. The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) President and CEO Daren Coppock issued the following statement: “All of agriculture has been waiting for this ruling on defining Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The Court stated that the wetland under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act (CWA) must have ‘a continuous …
Bill Incentivizes Use of Cover Crops
A new bill would give farmers more incentive to use cover crops. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and several state representatives introduced bipartisan legislation to incentivize farmers to plant cover crops to help boost environmental conservation. The Conservation Opportunity and Voluntary Environment Resilience Program (COVER) Act would provide farmers who plant cover crops …
NCBA Endorses Legislation Protecting Animal Health
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced its support of the Foreign Animal Disease Prevention, Surveillance, and Rapid Response Act of 2023. The bipartisan legislation would continue making critical investments in foreign animal disease response programs currently overseen by USDA. “The threat of a foreign animal disease outbreak in the U.S. represents an existential threat to every cattle producer,” says …
Livestock Producers Give Opinions on EPA Regulations
Representatives from livestock industries gave passionate responses when asked about Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations during a House Agriculture subcommittee hearing, Wednesday. “Can you speak to the detrimental effects these types of onerous rules have on livestock producers and how uncertainty in compliance costs trickle down to the American consumer,” asked Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04). The first response was from …
Florida House, Senate Nail Down Spending Plan
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/May 1, 2023) — After what they called the “smoothest” budget negotiations in years, House and Senate leaders on Monday finished working out details of a spending plan that is expected to top $116 billion. The plan for the fiscal year that will start July 1 would be more than $6 billion larger than the budget for the current …