Protesters nearly shut down the city of Auckland, New Zealand yesterday, but the ceremonial signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) went on as scheduled. Trade ministers representing Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam gathered for the signing of the historic agreement concluded four months ago in Atlanta. The ministers …
Key Issues Top Farm Bureau’s 2016 Strategic Plan
Farm Bureau’s strategic action plan for 2016 includes several key issues for agriculture, including the government’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) action, protecting farmers’ rights to use biotechnology and trade issue. This news release from the group says the policy issues are a result of deliberations by delegates to the AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention in Orlando. “We will continue …
Chile & Peru Slated for Stops on USDA Trade Mission
Two South American countries have been slated for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission. This news release from the agency says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will lead a trade mission March 14-18 to expand export opportunities for U.S. agriculture in Chile and Peru. “Thanks to existing free trade agreements, the United States enjoys strong trading relationships with both …
Ag Secy Vilsack Talks SOTU, Trade & Climate
USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack held a press call yesterday to discuss President Obama’s last State of the Union (SOTU) address. Vilsack, who has served in the capacity of Ag Secretary throughout Obama’s Administration, was in attendance during the speech. He said he is very proud to have been part of an administration that has basically taken the country from …
Family Farmers Support Climate Focus in SOTU Address
Last night marked President Obama’s last State of the Union (SOTU) address, and as expected one area of focus was the fight against climate change. National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said after the speech that the administration’s focus on the climate change is an issue that farmers and ranchers across the U.S. have been dealing with for many …
Ag Trade Rep Gives #TPP Details at #AFBF16
The chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative gave a detailed explanation of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention on Sunday. “The TPP is an agreement that unites 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific in a comprehensive trade agreement, with 40 percent of global gross domestic production on the table,” Vetter said. “It …
WTO Announces $1.01 Billion in COOL Retaliation
We anticipated this and now it’s here. The World Trade Organization (WTO) announced $1.01 billion retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods authorized in the country-of-origin labeling (COOL) with Canada and Mexico. The WTO has upheld multiple times our neighboring country’s claim that the label creates an unfair advantage to U.S. products. U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee …
Former Ag Secretaries Urge TPP Passage
Several former U.S. Agriculture secretaries are calling on Congress to pass the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). This news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says TPP will create new opportunities for American-grown and American–made products in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. By opening new markets in Japan, Vietnam, and other countries, we are giving our producers access to new …
Agri-Pulse Open Mic with Sen. Debbie Stabenow
Agri-Pulse Open Mic this week features Sen. Debbie Stabenow. In this week’s interview the ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee discusses a challenging agricultural agenda. With time running out on the congressional calendar, Stabenow feels an urgency to find compromise on GMO labeling and COOL trade laws. Stabenow discusses a potential compromise child nutrition reform and defines the TPP …
USDA Sec & Deputy on Trade Trips to Japan & Africa
USDA’s top two officials are talking trade this week in two different regions. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is traveling to Japan Nov. 19-21, and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Krysta Harden is going to Africa, Nov. 17-20. Secretary Vilsack will be meeting with Japanese officials to discuss the recently concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership and the strong history of trade between the U.S. …