by Elizabeth | Nov 22, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
Yesterday marked the conclusion of the 22nd session of the U.S. – China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Chengdu, China. U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson and United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk co-chaired the JCCT along with Chinese...
by Elizabeth | Nov 21, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
A news release last week from the Coalition for Sugar Reform stated that, “Reforming federal sugar subsidies can save American consumers up to $3.5 billion and generate 20,000 new jobs each year, a new study by Iowa State University researchers has found.”...
by Elizabeth | Nov 21, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update, Crop Insurance
A news release from the National Cotton Council last week stated that, “The National Cotton Council commends the House and Senate Agriculture Committees for their diligent efforts in crafting a farm policy recommendation that is being delivered to the Joint...
by Elizabeth | Nov 21, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
Last week, during The Ag Minute, Rep. Scott Tipton discussed how the Senate’s failure to pass H.R. 872 is unleashing a new regulatory blitz on farmers, ranchers, and small businesses. H.R. 872, is the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act. Rep. Tipton stated that,...
by Elizabeth | Nov 20, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
The USDA announced in a press release that, “The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced plans to dramatically streamline and improve several programmatic processes, including the...
by Elizabeth | Nov 20, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
Last week, Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding to establish telemedicine and other health care projects to address unmet health care needs in the Delta region. Vilsack stated in a press release that, “Today’s funding can help improve the health...
by Elizabeth | Nov 17, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
The J.M. Smucker Company announced today that it is voluntarily recalling certain 16-ounce jars of peanut butter over concerns about salmonella contamination. According to a company press release, “No illnesses related to this issue have been reported and...
by Elizabeth | Nov 17, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting comments on a proposed rule to amend the federal marketing order regulating tart cherries grown in Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. The decision was published in the November 9,...
by Elizabeth | Nov 17, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
Today, Deputy Agriculture Undersecretary for Rural Development Doug O’Brien announced that USDA is funding a series of projects to convert biomass to energy through USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). O’Brien stated that,...
by Elizabeth | Nov 16, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
The dairy sells 2,400 gallons of raw milk a day in California and does not ship any milk products to other states. The ruling came at a hearing by the California Department of Food and Agriculture after the owner of Organic Pastures Dairy Co. appealed...
by Elizabeth | Nov 16, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update, International Trade, United States Department of Agriculture
Today, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing in approximately 70 U.S. agricultural organizations to help expand commercial export markets for their goods. Vilsack stated that, “Under the Obama...
by Elizabeth | Nov 16, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
Monday, a news release from the Senate Finance Committee stated that, “Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) commented following Japan’s announcement that it wishes to begin consultations to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership...
by Elizabeth | Nov 16, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
This week, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sponsored legislation to extend, improve and strengthen programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that have proven successful in helping beginning farmers and ranchers continue, start and build family farming...
by Elizabeth | Nov 16, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update, Commodity Programs
A new release posted at the National Cotton Council Online stated that, “Commodity groups representing cotton, rice, peanuts and grain sorghum are urging the development of a farm bill that maintains equity among all of U.S. agriculture.” NCC...
by Elizabeth | Nov 16, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
A new U.S. Department of Agriculture report says sales of “local foods,” whether sold direct to consumers at farmers markets or through intermediaries such as grocers or restaurants, amounted to $4.8 billion in 2008. That’s a number several times...
by Elizabeth | Nov 15, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
Yesterday, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding for telephone utilities to build, expand and improve broadband in their rural service territories across 15 states. Vilsack stated that, “Today’s funding will provide residents of these rural...
by Elizabeth | Nov 11, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update, Disaster Assistance Programs, United States Department of Agriculture
USDA reminds eligible ranchers and livestock producers who had livestock losses or grazing losses during the 2011 crop year that the deadline for applying for benefits under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock,...
by Elizabeth | Nov 11, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
This month, eight Chinese cotton industry leaders visited the U.S. Cotton Belt to learn more about the U.S. cotton industry. The Oct. 31-Nov. 5 visit to the U.S. Cotton Belt was the third since the establishment of the U.S.-China Cotton Leadership Exchange...
by Elizabeth | Nov 11, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update, Food Safety, International Trade, Pesticides
The California company, Best Oriental Produce Inc. was penalized $10,000 and agreed to put control measures in place to prevent sales of produce with illegal pesticide residues in California. The settlement was assessed for illegal methomyl residues on long...
by Elizabeth | Nov 11, 2011 | Ag & Food Law Update
Former President George W. Bush will be the keynote speaker Feb. 15, 2012 during World Ag Expo in Tulare, Calif., at the kickoff of a fundraising event to launch a unique program to enfold returning veterans into the agricultural industry. Stacey Beachy,...
