New Reporting Rule Takes Effect, Will Impact Animal Agriculture

Starting Nov. 15, Alabama farmers may be required to report the release of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from their farms under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This new requirement stems from an April 2017 court decision that struck down a rule exempting farms from reporting the releases. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of …

U.S. Poultry Groups Applaud WTO’s Indonesian Ruling

U.S. poultry groups are pleased the World Trade Organization confirmed Indonesia’s import restrictions for horticultural products and animals and animal products are against WTO rules. The WTO has rejected Indonesia’s appeal of the panel finding, a move U.S. poultry groups say is a “resounding victory.” The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, National Chicken Council, and National Turkey Federation echoed …

McKinney Visit to India Good for U.S. Pork

The National Pork Producers Council says the recent trip to India by Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs Ted McKinney bodes well for future pork exports. The trip, aimed at increasing U.S. agricultural export levels for India, allowed McKinney to press the nation to open access to U.S. pork. NPPC has been working for many years to …

CERCLA Reporting Deadline for Livestock Producers is Wednesday

Back in 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule that exempted most farms from certain release reporting requirements in The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA. Specifically, the rule exempted farms releasing hazardous substances from animal waste to the air above threshold levels from reporting under the Act. In short, all farms were relieved from …

Farm Bureau Seeks Full Withdrawal of Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule

The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The American Farm Bureau thanks Secretary Perdue for delaying the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule. The health and well-being of livestock is a top priority for all farmers and ranchers. We work with a host of specialists, from animal scientists to nutritionists, to manage our farms …

Perdue on WHO Antibiotic Recommendations

We told you last week that the World Health Organization (WHO) had issued recommendations on the use of antibiotics in agriculture. And the fact that USDA acting chief scientist, Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, said the WHO guidelines are not in alignment with U.S. policy and aren’t supported by sound science. Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman had a chance to ask U.S. Agriculture …

Delay Sought For Reporting Farm Air Emissions

With a Nov. 15 deadline looming, the National Pork Producers Council and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association filed a brief in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s motion to delay a mandate that farmers report certain air emissions from manure on their farms. In April, a federal court, ruling on a lawsuit brought by environmental activist groups against EPA, …

USDA Chief Scientist Responds to WHO Antibiotic Recommendations

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued recommendations on the use of antibiotics in agriculture. Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Acting Chief Scientist with the USDA, says the WHO guidelines are not in alignment with U.S. policy and aren’t supported by sound science. “The recommendations incorrectly combine disease prevention with growth promotion in animals,” she says. “The WHO previously requested the standards for …