Do undocumented immigrants have access to SNAP benefits? That was a topic of discussion at the recent House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations hearing on SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Funding for the program is included in the farm bill, and the hearing was part of the committee’s work on the 2023 farm bill. …
U.S. House Passes Ocean Shipping Reform Act
Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (S.3580), which basically streamlines the process for the importation and export of all goods. It’s designed to end the unreasonable practice of ocean carriers returning to foreign ports empty when they could be carrying U.S. exports, particularly those vessels capable of delivering agricultural products. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) …
House Ag Subcommittee Discusses SNAP Benefits
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations held a hearing on the Farm Bill last week, with a focus on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – or SNAP. Food and nutrition programs account for more than 75 percent of the funds in the farm bill. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA) commented on the scrutiny given to SNAP applicants. …
Senate Ag Subcommittee Discusses Impacts of Western Drought
The Senate Ag Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources took up the topic of the Western Drought during a recent hearing. Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado opened the hearing with comments on the situation of drought in his state and how it’s affecting the Colorado River. “My state sits at the headwaters of the Colorado River, which starts …
U.S. Peanut Federation Discusses Trade with Lawmakers
This week the U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF), which serves as a unified voice in Washington, D.C. for all sectors of the peanut industry, took part in a sub-committee hearing to discuss trade issues. Tyron Spearman has more details. USPF is comprised of the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, the American Peanut Shellers Association, and the National Peanut Buying Points Association. U.S. Peanut Federation …
DeSantis Vetoes Controversial Everglades Bill
(TALLAHASSEE/NSF/June 8, 2022) — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday vetoed a controversial measure tied to Everglades restoration that, even after being watered down during the legislative session, continued to draw concerns about potential wetlands destruction. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, pushed to pass the bill (SB 2508) during the session that ended in March. DeSantis criticized an initial version, leading …
Senate Committee Passes WRDA 2022
Last week, the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously passed its Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022). WRDA provides improvements for the nation’s ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure. It’s good news for farmers who transport their crops through the infrastructure system and will allow them to remain competitive …
EPA Sending Biofuel Blending Mandates to White House This Week
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to send the long-awaited 2020-2022 biofuel blending mandates to the White House early this week. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters the White House would then be working through a final review of the numbers. The EPA released a proposed rule in December, but it’s not known whether the mandates sent …
Senate Ag Committee Split on Cattle Market Reform Bill
A Senate Ag Committee cattle market reform hearing Tuesday proved again just how divided the industry is over how to deal with packer concentration, and in some cases, how afraid some producers are to say. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley claimed momentum for his Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act ahead of the Senate Ag hearing. “It does not include the …
Federal Wildlife Officials to Weigh Protections for Gopher Tortoises
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/April 26, 2022) — Federal wildlife officials will decide in the coming months whether increased protections are needed for gopher tortoises, as Florida looks for ways to move the animals out of the path of development. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Center for Biological Diversity reached a settlement Tuesday that will require the federal agency to determine …