The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has finalized adjustments to portions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Several ag groups have raised concern about the Phase 1 NEPA revisions …
A-PLUS Act to Further Increase Meat Processing Capacity
The introduction of the A-PLUS Act is being largely supported by various industry organizations. The bipartisan Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States Act, known simply as the A-PLUS …
Industry Groups Encourage USDA Takeover of Gene Editing Regulations
Nearly a dozen agricultural organizations are continuing to encourage the revising of gene editing regulations. Oversight of genetically engineered food animals is currently handled by the U.S. Food and Drug …
Renewed Enforcement Discretion for Certain FSMA Requirements for Cotton
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is extending enforcement discretion for certain Food Safety Modernization Act requirements as they pertain to cotton. Because cottonseed is widely used as dairy …
New Workplan to Address Pesticide Approval Process
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be addressing the overall pesticide approval system through a comprehensive workplan. Four overall strategies are established in the plan, with dozens of actions …
Pending Burning Restrictions Having an Impact on Vineyard Removals
Some grape growers are having to make some tough decisions about vineyards with burning restrictions coming into effect. Last year, the California Air Resources Board voted to phase out agricultural …
Origin of Livestock Rule for Organic Dairy Finalized by USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has finalized the Origin of Livestock rule for organic dairy production. USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) will oversee the new rule, which has been …
SCOTUS Agrees to Hear Proposition 12 Challenge
After months of waiting, the Supreme Court of the U.S. (SCOTUS) announced they will hear the case challenging California’s Proposition 12. The petition was brought by the National Pork Producers …
Remembering LGMA Food Safety Updates Heading into Growing Season
The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) reminds members that there are some updated food safety requirements. CEO of California LGMA, Tim York said they developed several safety enhancements over …
Gene-Edited Beef Cattle Receive Low-Risk Determination from FDA
Two gene-edited beef cattle and their offspring have received a low-risk determination from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It marks the first time that an intentional genomic alteration …
Industry Groups Ask CARB for Regulatory Relief Amidst Supply Chain Challenges
A coalition of industry groups is asking for some regulatory relief from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). More than two-dozen industry organizations have expressed significant concern about the final …
Court Issues a Stay of Enforcement for Proposition 12 Provisions
California officials will not be enforcing the guidelines for animal welfare established in Proposition 12 after a recent court ruling. The Superior Court for Sacramento County has postponed enforcement until …
EPA Seeks Comment on Revisions to Pesticide Crop Groupings
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a draft of another revision to pesticide crop groupings. A 60-day public comment period has been opened to gather public feedback. The …
FDA Holding Public Meetings on Proposed Changes to Produce Safety Rule
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will be holding two virtual public meetings to go over the proposed changes some of the parameters of the Food Safety Modernization Act …