U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack has designated 50 counties in California as being primary natural disaster areas because of recent drought conditions. In a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary …
USDA Makes Additional Funding Available for Value-Added Produce Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that additional funding will be made available for the Value-Added Producer Grant Program this year. The additional funding is being made possible through the Consolidated …
Comment Period for Regulating Animal Biotech Reopened by USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reopened the comment period for shifting regulatory authority pertaining to animal biotech. Initially, the comment period expired on February 26. USDA will now …
Understanding the California Water Futures Market
California has recently established a water futures market that has brought with it some criticism as well as confusion. As the first of its kind in the country, it will …
Katherine Tai Confirmed as New U.S. Trade Representative
The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Katherine Tai as the next U.S. Trade Representative. It marks the first time that a woman of color will take the position as the …
Senate Hearing Highlights Role of Ag in Mitigating Climate Change
Agricultural industry members recently testified at a Senate hearing about the value that farming can provide in addressing climate concerns. Members of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and …
UC Wolfskill Not Changing Walnut Improvement Program Focus
Walnut breeders are bullish about their most recent variety release but it isn’t changing their research focus. UC Davis’s Walnut Improvement Program released UC Wolfskill earlier this year. The variety matures …
Safe Line Speeds During COVID-19 Act Reintroduced
The Safe Line Speeds During COVID-19 Act has been reintroduced by U.S. Senator Cory Booker and Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Bennie Thompson. Primarily, the legislation will eliminate line speed waivers …
Industry Groups Call for Funding to Support Ag Export Markets
A coalition of industry groups is calling on lawmakers to support ag export markets. More than 100 industry groups are pushing for full funding of marketing programs under the U.S. …
U.S. Dairy Groups Call for Reform of Canada’s Administration of TRQ
Dairy groups are united in their call for changes to how Canada administers its Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs). The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and …
‘First Receiver’ Sticking Point for New Food Safety Rule
The new proposed rule regarding food safety is a step in the right direction, however, a definition for a ‘First Receiver’ seems like an issue. The Produce Marketing Association submitted …
Food Traceability Proposed Rule Raises Concerns from Industry Members
Some concerns have been raised regarding the Food Traceability Proposed Rule announced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The official rule, Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain …
Legislation Introduced to Repeal Federal Estate Tax
Federal lawmakers have introduced legislation that would repeal the federal estate tax, often referred to as the death tax. U.S. Senator John Thune and U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop and Jason …
New EPA Administrator Michael Regan Confirmed by Senate
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is officially under new leadership. Michael Regan has been confirmed by the Senate as the 15th EPA Administrator through a vote of 66-34. Regan …