USDA Will Not Recognize Third-Party Inspections Regarding Animal Welfare

Dan Cattle, Industry News Release, Livestock

The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, will not establish new criteria for recognizing third-party inspection and certification programs when determining the Agency’s own inspection frequency under the Animal Welfare Act. In December of last year, APHIS announced a series of public listening sessions as for leadership to gather information about the concept of third-party …

Trade Retaliation Hurting U.S. Pork Producers

Dan Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Pork, Trade

Producer Losses at $2.2 Billion Since March 1 The National Pork Producers called for a swift resolution of the United States-China trade dispute, paving the way for increased U.S. pork exports to the world’s largest pork-consuming nation. According to Iowa State University Economist Dermot Hayes, U.S. pork producers have lost $2.2 billion on an annualized basis due to events leading up to and following China’s 25 percent punitive tariffs in retaliation for U.S. tariffs on aluminum and steel.  …

New Hours of Service Bill in U.S. Senate

Dan Cattle, Livestock

Last week, a new bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate that basically reforms federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules in a way that ensures animal welfare, highway safety and the well-being of livestock haulers. The Transporting Livestock Across America Safely (TLAAS) Act was introduced by 10 senators. Allison Rivera, executive director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association …

Cattle Groups Applaud Introduction of Livestock Hauling Bill

Dan Cattle, Industry News Release, Livestock

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, as well as the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, were both pleased with the introduction of the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely Act on Wednesday. The NCBA says the legislation will reform the Hours of Service Rules in a way that ensures animal welfare, highway safety, and the well-being of livestock haulers. NCBA President and California producer …

NCBA Applauds Introduction of Legislation Addressing Hours of Service Changes for Livestock Haulers

Dan Cattle, Industry News Release, Livestock

Group Calls For Passage of TLAAS Act Before Oct. 1 ELD Deadline The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association applauded the introduction of the Transporting Livestock Across America Safely (TLAAS) Act, saying it would reform federal Hours of Service (HOS) rules in a way that ensures animal welfare, highway safety, and the well-being of livestock haulers. The bill was introduced today by …

House Members Want Thailand Ban of U.S. Pork Ended

Dan Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Pork

Members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to Taiwan’s Ambassador to the U.S. asking for the removal of import restrictions on American agricultural products, including pork. The bipartisan letter was signed by 44 House members and sponsored by Republican David Young of Iowa and Wisconsin Democrat Ron Kind. The letter calls for the U.S. to suspend trade benefits …

House Members Call for End to Thailand’s Ban on U.S. Pork

Dan Exports/Imports, Industry News Release, Pork, Trade

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to Virachai Plasai, ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States, calling for the removal of restrictions on imports of U.S. farm products, including U.S. pork. The bipartisan letter – signed by 44 members and sponsored by Representatives David Young, R-IA, and Ron Kind, D-WI – calls for the …

NPPC: Oppose Brat-Blumenauer Farm Bill Rider

Dan Farm Bill, Industry News Release, Legislative, Pork

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is urging House lawmakers to oppose an amendment to the 2018 Farm Bill that would gut the federally authorized commodity research and promotion programs, commonly known as checkoffs. NPPC joined more than 40 agricultural organizations on a letter sent to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Member Collin Peterson, D-Minn., asking …