Mixed signals regarding biotech crops coming from the European Union last week have left representatives of the agriculture community shaking their heads. First the EU announced it would allow member nations to ban the import of food and feed containing biotech ingredients, and then a few days later announced the approval of 17 biotech traits for import. “I’m just characterizing …
Senate Committee Passes TPA Bill
The Senate Finance Committee yesterday passed Trade Promotion Authority legislation by a vote of 20-6. Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) said the action “marks a pivotal moment for international trade policy and reflects years of true bipartisan work.” “We thank Chairman Hatch and Ranking Member Wyden for their leadership in introducing this important piece of legislation to extend trade promotion …
Congress Moves on Fast Track
Bipartisan, bicameral Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation was introduced today in Congress that would put negotiations for new trade agreements that could benefit agriculture on the fast track. The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan …
Farm Bureau: Food Prices Up About 1%
Shoppers are paying a bit more for their groceries this spring. A new survey from Farm Bureau shows that meat and orange juice are the biggest contributors to an increase of 60 cents of a $53.87 grocery bill on 16 food items, or about of 1 percent, in the group’s Spring Picnic Marketbasket survey. “Several meat items increased in price, …
Ag Groups Support Non-GMO Label Bill
Agricultural organizations are voicing support for the bi-partisan Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act introduced in the U.S. House Wednesday by Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC). The bill includes a new provision to allow those who wish to label their products as GMO-free to do so by through an accredited certification process. “Our goal for this …
House Panel Hears Testimony on WOTUS
Representatives of agricultural organizations unanimously condemned the proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule during a hearing held Tuesday by the House Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry. American Farm Bureau Federation General Counsel Ellen Steen told the panel that “unless dramatically altered,” the rule will create enormous uncertainty and vulnerability for farmers and ranchers nationwide. “It is impossible to …
AFBF and NFU Policy Panel at #Classic15
John Deere sponsored an ag policy panel at the 2015 Commodity Classic, moderated by our friend Sara Wyant with Agri-Pulse, and featuring the policy specialists from the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and National Farmers Union (NFU). With trade being a top issue on Capitol Hill right now, NFU’s Chandler Goule and AFBF’s Mary Kay Thatcher voiced their respective organizations’ …
More Reaction to Proposed Dietary Guidelines
More comments are coming forward about the recently released Scientific Report of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Farm Bureau and some key politicians are not pleased about what they see as the committee’s overreach in the report that will be used for developing national nutrition policy by the federal government. Bob Stallman, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation …
CIRB Hears of Challenging Year for Ag
American Farm Bureau Senior Director for Congressional Relations Mary Kay Thatcher told members of the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau this week that she expects 2015 to be “a challenging year for agriculture.” “There seems to be a lot of emphasis on Capitol Hill about wanting to make budget cuts,” she explained. “We only have a couple of months before …
Farmers’ Data Could be Big Cash Crop
It’s said that knowledge is power, and now information could be a powerful cash crop for farmers. Attendees of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show heard from Jason Tatge, current president, CEO and co-founder of FarMobile, who sees huge potential for farmers to dictate the sale of their data to large agricultural companies. According …