Associated Press
U.S, Canada and Mexico Collaborating on Avian Flu; Commercial Ag Drones Booming
The United States, Canada and Mexico have entered an arrangement to enhance collaboration on avian influenza. Along with their poultry and egg industries, the countries signed the agreement this week to work toward harmonizing procedures for responding to possible future detections of the virus...
USDA’s Seeking Data That Could Help the Honey Bees; EPA Extended Public Comments on Pesticides
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is reaching out to beekeepers and farmers across the nation this month and next to gather information on the number and health of honey bee colonies, honey production and stocks, and the cost to farmers of pollination services...
U.S. Slapped $228 Million in Tariffs by Mexico; Avian Flu Found in a Wild Duck From Oregon
Mexico has made a pledge to enact $228 million in tariffs on U.S. products following the World Trade Organization opening the door for trade retaliations against U.S. Country-of-Origin meat labeling. Mexico will enact the tariffs on U.S. apples, dairy products, liquor and hygiene products...
Canada and Mexico Could Set Tariffs on U.S. Beef; Oil Prices Hit a Seven-Year Low
The World Trade Organization Monday said Canada and Mexico can implement tariffs just over $1 billion because of the U.S. Country of Origin Meat Labeling law. An arbitration panel announced the final ruling, which says COOL requirements have cost the U...
Crop Insurance Safe in Budget Agreement; Positive Train Control Delay Up to Five Years
As Promised, outgoing House Speaker John Boehner helped push a budget deal through the House that in his words, was an effort to not “leave the barn full of you know what.” The budget agreement reached between Congressional leaders and the White House passed the House late Wednesday, and thanks to quick work by the House and Senate agriculture committees, the budget will not include cuts to crop i
WTO Looking into Country of Origin Labeling; Canada Meat Consumption Declining
The World Trade Organization needs more time to translate a panel report on Country-of-Origin Labeling expected next month. The decision on COOL was expected to be released November 27th. However, the date has been pushed back to allow more time to translate the report into multiple languages...
Wal-Mart Could Be Cutting Prices; Wheat Import Tax Increase
One of the nation’s largest supermarket-style stores could squeeze suppliers for price cuts on everything from sports equipment to groceries. Reuters reports Wal-Mart Stores earnings numbers suggest more price cuts and reduced cost-sharing deals...
Obama Urging Congress to Vote on TPP; Food Information Documentaries Trustworthy?
The Obama administration wants Congress to vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership before next year’s lame-duck session. Congressional aides are saying the vote is likely to take place during the lame duck session. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said “the timeline that we envision is shorter than that,” but would not specify when the President would like the vote to occur...
Waters of the U.S. Rule Has Stalled in Court; U.S. Heading for Recession?
An appeals court has ordered a nationwide stay against the Waters of the U.S. Rule. The court decision says the rule could be overturned based on the merits of the lawsuits filed against the regulation. The Order was issued by the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Appeals against the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers on Friday...
Agreement Reached in TPP; $113 Million Awarded to Support Farmers
The U.S. and 11 other countries have reached an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. For the U.S., the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement opens agricultural markets in Japan and Canada, among other things. Canada and Japan have agreed to increase access to their dairy markets, allowing some American dairy products in, but New Zealand also persuaded the U...
Final Talks Being Held in TPP; Extremes Weather Events Threated Farmers’ Yields
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman’s office will host trade ministers Wednesday and Thursday to further talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The TPP chief negotiators will meet on Saturday to Tuesday, also in Atlanta. The announcement is a signal that the meeting may result in a final agreement...
USDA Dealing With AG Risk Coverage Program; Country of Origin Meat Labeling Hearing Set
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA wants to treat all producers “equitably” under the across-the-board government spending cuts known as sequestration. The problem for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in dealing with cuts to the Agricultural Risk Coverage program and the Price Loss Coverage program is that the cuts are different in each fiscal year, and the farm programs are based on crop years...
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