Week seven of the Georgia State Legislative Session was an action packed week, according to Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) Director of Government Affairs, Jake Tench. He told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman various bills have been flooding into the committee meetings. To keep track of any of the bills Tench mentioned, or any others that come up during the legislative session, go to the GAC Facebook page …
FMI Encourages FDA to Refine Healthy Definition
The Food Industry Association (FMI) recently submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the agency’s proposed rule to update the definition of the term “healthy.” The FDA is seeking the update when the term is used as a nutrient content claim in labeling. FMI Chief Public Policy Officer Jennifer Hatcher says. “We are concerned the proposal is …
Bills of Interest to Agriculture Moving through Georgia Legislature
During week six of the Georgia State Legislative Session, various bills of interest to agriculture continued moving through the committee process. Georgia Agribusiness Council (GAC) President Will Bentley, explains what bills they have been tracking. More information about the 2023 legislative session is available on the GAC Facebook page. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag …
Senators Reintroduce Cattle Market Reform Bill
A bipartisan group of Senators have introduced the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023. The group includes Senator Chuck Grassley, along with fellow Republican Deb Fischer, and Democrats Ron Wyden and Jon Tester. The lawmakers say the legislation would restore transparency and accountability in the cattle market by establishing regional cash minimums and equipping producers with more market …
Senators Urge USDA to Address Avian Flu Immediately
A group of Senators urges the Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to take swift action to address the ongoing avian influenza outbreak. The lawmakers asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to quickly use funds provided by Congress in the Fiscal Year 2023 Agriculture Appropriations bill. Led by Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin, the lawmakers said, “it …
Gregory as Director of the Office of Florida Agricultural Water Policy
(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 18, 2022) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the appointment of West Gregory as the Director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Water Policy. “I’m honored to appoint West Gregory to lead our Office of Agricultural Water Policy. West Gregory has the unique experience and skillset – having worked …
Omnibus Appropriations Bill Includes Initiatives for Peanut Industry
The new Omnibus Appropriations Bill includes does include various initiatives for the peanut industry. Tyron Spearman has more details. Agriculture: Explanatory Statement Bill Summary Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
Federal Omnibus Deal Fails to Include Farm Labor Act
On Dec. 22, the U.S. Senate passed the omnibus appropriations bill. The $1.7 trillion measure would fund the federal government through the remainder of 2023. The measure now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote to avoid a government shutdown on the evening of Dec. 23. Much to the dismay of farm groups nationwide, the Senate Affordable …
Florida Senate Passes Property Insurance Overhaul
(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/December 14, 2022) — The Florida Senate on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a bill aimed at shoring up the troubled-property insurance system by curbing lawsuits, injecting tax dollars into reinsurance coverage and trying to shrink the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. The Republican-dominated Senate voted 27-13 largely along party lines to approve the bill (SB 2-A), which is expected to …
Workforce Modernization Act Could Save Billions in Labor Costs
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act awaits Senate action during the lame-duck session, and it’s the closest meaningful immigration reform has come to the finish line in years. Research by David Bier, Cato Institute associate director of immigration studies, shows farmers would save billions over the next few years if the Senate passes the legislation. “The Farm workforce Modernization Act would …