(AFBF) — The U.S. State Department revised its restrictions on the processing of visa applications submitted by farm workers in Mexico after hearing concerns that the restrictions would lead to a farm worker shortage in the U.S. Consular officers can now waive the visa interview requirement for eligible first-time and returning H-2A and H-2B applicants, making more workers in the H-2 …
U.S. Agriculture Focused on Stable Food Supply, Farm Labor Worries Grow
(AFBF) — U.S. agriculture is working diligently to maintain the stability of our food supply as concerns over COVID-19 lead to increased consumer purchases of groceries and other items. The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall about the commitment of farmers and ranchers, as well as a serious concern related to the U.S. …
USDA Provides Florida $4 million for Agricultural Pest and Disease Protection
(USDA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is allocating $4 million to Florida as part of its effort to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for pest detection and surveillance, identification, and threat mitigation, and to safeguard the U.S. nursery production system. Overall, USDA is providing almost $70 million in funding this year to support 386 projects in 48 states, The …
FDA Stall Tactics Hurting U.S. Agriculture
(NPPC) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) misrepresentation of a gene edited livestock research project is its latest stall tactic designed to rationalize a regulatory grasp on an emerging technology that must be regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) if the United States is to maintain its global leadership position in agriculture. “While countries like China, …
Phase One Trade Deal Signing: ‘Momentous Day for U.S. Agriculture’
President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He signed the phase one trade deal between the two countries in the East Room of the White House on Wednesday morning. The agreement comes after more than 18 months of imbittered trade relations between the United States and China, creating a significant strain on the agricultural industry. “This is a very …
USDA Invites Input on Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Rule
(USDA/NRCS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) seeks public comments on its interim rule for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). ACEP is USDA’s premier conservation easement program, helping landowners protect working agricultural lands and wetlands. The rule – now available on the Federal Register – takes effect on publication and includes changes to the …
New UF Lab Gives Researchers Preview of Climate Change in the Gulf
GAINESVILLE, FL (UF/IFAS-Oct. 9, 2019) — Scientists are already observing climate change in the Gulf of Mexico. Tropical species, such snook and black mangrove, are moving north. Flows of freshwater into estuaries are dwindling. The hard part: predicting how climate change will affect the plants, animal and people who depend on the Gulf. To make these predictions, you need a …
Agriculture Groups Respond to Japan Trade Deal
Today (September 25, 2019), President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Abe signed a trade agreement that many in agriculture had been asking for. Various agriculture commodity groups welcomed the news. Secretary Perdue Statement on Signing of US-Japan Trade Agreement Washington, D.C. (USDA-September 25, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the signing of the …
Former Agriculture Secretaries Announce Support for USMCA
All former U.S. secretaries of agriculture since President Reagan’s administration announced support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a letter to Congressional leaders, former Secretaries John Block (Reagan), Mike Espy (Clinton), Dan Glickman (Clinton), Ann Veneman (W. Bush), Mike Johanns (W. Bush), Ed Shafer (W. Bush), and Tom Vilsack (Obama) underscored the importance of passing USMCA saying, “We need …
Offering Produce Safety On-Farm Readiness Reviews in Georgia
The Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Farm Safety Program continues to help produce farmers across the state with regulatory requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act. Farm Safety Education and Outreach Coordinator Maggie Brown says the department is still offering on-farm readiness reviews and will soon have more training classes. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle …