organic certification

Organic Groups Suing USDA over Livestock Rule

Dan Industry News Release, Organic

Four organic groups have filed a lawsuit against The U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, regarding the organic livestock welfare rule. Led by the Center for Food Safety, the groups say the decision to withdraw the rule was “outrageous and unlawful,” similar to what USDA called the rule. In the March 13th decision, USDA claimed the regulations …

protein

USDA Provides Funds to Protect Agriculture and Plants from Pests and Diseases

Dan Citrus, Industry News Release, Nursery Crops, Specialty Crops

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach announced that USDA is allocating almost $70 million from Section 10007 of the 2014 Farm Bill to support 494 projects in 49 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. These projects prevent the introduction or spread of invasive plant pests and diseases that threaten U.S. agriculture and the …

usmca

Perdue Comments Regarding Omnibus Spending Bill

Dan Economy, Industry News Release, Legislative

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the omnibus spending bill released by Congressional leaders: “The omnibus spending plan released last night contains a number of our priorities at USDA.  Fixing the so-called ‘grain glitch’ 199A problem is simply an issue of fairness. We should not be picking winners and losers through the federal tax code …

high-speed internet

USDA Looking for More Funding Applications to Improve Broadband Access

Dan Industry News Release, Technology

Anne Hazlett, Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development, says the USDA is accepting applications for grants to fund broadband infrastructure projects in unserved rural communities. She says e-connectivity is essential to the economic vitality and quality of life in rural communities. “Investing in broadband can strengthen rural economic growth and improve critical access to jobs, education, healthcare, and social …

agricultural leaders

USDA Announces Regionalization Agreement with South Korea

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

Help Protect U.S. Trade During HPAI Detections The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an agreement with the government of South Korea that significantly reduces negative impacts on trade should another detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) occur in the United States. The agreement will allow for trade restrictions at the state level instead of the country level …

mckinney

USDA Under Secretary Remains Optimistic on Trade Despite Tariffs

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

While U.S. agriculture braces for possible retaliation against American tariffs on steel and aluminum, a USDA Under Secretary remains optimistic about the future of trade. AgriMarketing Dot Com says the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs, Ted McKinney, was in Japan when the tariffs were announced. McKinney told reporters that while talking with Japanese leaders, there was absolutely no …

produce

USDA Decides Not to Impose Additional Regulatory Requirements for Organic Producers and Handlers

Dan Industry News Release, Organic

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the decision to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule published on Jan. 19, 2017. The rule would have increased federal regulation of livestock and poultry for certified organic producers and handlers. The withdrawal becomes effective May 13, 2018. Significant policy and legal issues were identified after the rule published …

school nutrition program

USDA Announces More Local Control for School Meal Operations

Dan Education, Industry News Release

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Steve Censky announced two new efforts to provide states and school districts with additional flexibility and support to operate more efficient school meal programs. Censky made the announcement during a speech at the School Nutrition Association Legislative Action Conference in Washington, D.C. Child Nutrition Hiring Flexibility Rule In 2015, USDA established education and …

cotton producers

USDA Helps Cotton Producers Maintain, Expand Domestic Market

Dan Cotton, Industry News Release

It was officially announced this past weekend that cotton producers will get a little bit of financial help from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Gary Crawford has the story. Perdue Announces Renewal of Cotton Gin Cost Share Program-1 Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue was in Memphis Saturday explaining why the Cotton Ginning Cost Share (CGCS) announcement was delayed. Perdue Announces …