alabama

Alabama Cattlemen Watching Special Legislative Session

Dan Alabama, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA), Beef, Cattle, Legislative, Regulation

The special session of the Alabama Legislature is underway in Montgomery to redraw Alabama’s congressional district map. But as Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President Erin Beasley notes, there are some other issues they will be watching closely too. For more information, contact the ACA office in Montgomery at 334-265-1867.

lawmakers

Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Support American Dairy Businesses

Dan Agri-Business, Dairy, Legislative, Regulation

Lawmakers just introduced the Dairy Business Innovation Act of 2023, bipartisan legislation that will reauthorize and strengthen the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives. Senators Tammy Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, and Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, introduced the bill Wednesday. Baldwin created the Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives through the Dairy Business Innovation Act in 2018, which passed as part of the 2018 …

california

EATS Act Would Abrogate Proposition 12

Dan Legislative, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Regulation

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 …

nppc

NPPC Statement on California Proposition 12 Implementation Modification

Dan Agri-Business, Funding, Legislative, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork, Regulation

Proposition 12 was scheduled to be implemented in California on July 1st, but after concerns from many in the industry about various challenges, an extra six months of additional relief for products in the supply chain was granted. After this, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) CEO Bryan Humphreys released a statement saying: “It is welcome news to America’s pig farmers and consumers …

broadband

Industry Reps to House Ag: USDA Should Handle Rural Broadband

Dan High-Speed Internet/Broadband, Legislative, Regulation, Technology

by Sabrina Halvorson Six representatives from the broadband and satellite industries testified at a House Agriculture Committee hearing Wednesday on the digital divide, or the lack of some digital services in rural America. Committee Ranking Member, Representative David Scott of Georgia, asked the witnesses if USDA was the right agency to handle the issue of rural broadband. “They know rural …

dignity act

Farmer/Congressman Supports Dignity Act for Immigrants

Dan Agri-Business, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Regulation

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

Beagle Brigade Act Gaining Support

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative, Regulation

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 …

Feral Swine

Bill Would Make Feral Swine Eradication Program Permanent

Dan Legislative, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), Pork, Regulation, USDA-APHIS, USDA-NRCS

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

ASI Endorses Animal Health Legislation

Dan American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), Legislative, Livestock, Regulation, Sheep-Goats

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, …