Cattle market reformers see resistance from big ag groups
A band of senators from the Midwest and northern Plains, with the best chance in years to inject transparency into the consolidated cattle market, pressed on Tuesday for a federal mandate for meatpackers to buy more cattle for cash, rather than through obscure formulas. “We need some sunlight,” said Montana Sen. Jon Tester.
SNAP buying shifts when shoppers go online, study shows
With the pandemic providing the impetus, the USDA made online shopping available to SNAP recipients in 49 states and the District of Columbia, with Alaska the only exception. Now researchers have found that online SNAP shoppers are far less likely to buy fresh produce, meat or seafood than if they went to supermarkets, but they also cut back on candy, cookies and cake, according to a new study.
Today’s Quick Hits
FDA needs food czar: Following reports of shortcomings in FDA oversight of food safety, 30 consumer, public health, environmental, farm, food processing and state regulator groups called for the appointment of a deputy commissioner for food to unify food regulation. (Consumer Reports)
Years of tight crop supplies: The chief executive of agribusiness giant ADM said he expected global crop supplies to be tight “for the next few years” as the result of smaller crops in North and South America and the war in Ukraine. (Bloomberg)
Third price-fixing trial: The Justice Department said it would try chicken-processing executives from Claxton Poultry and Pilgrim’s Pride for the third time on charges of conspiring to fix prices; two previous trials ended in hung juries. (Food Processing)
China’s farm protectionism: China “continues to act like a small country” that inflicts its problems on the rest of the world, such as curtailing fertilizer exports and putting higher tariffs on imported pork in steps to help its farmers, said analysts Chad Bown and Yilin Wang. (PIIE)
Carbon capture, taxpayer liability: At least seven states say they, rather than the operators of carbon storage projects, will be responsible for keeping millions of tons of carbon dioxide underground in the long run. (Inside Climate News)
