As USDA and FDA agree on oversight, aggies rail against ‘fake meat’
In a step that moves a new industry closer to commercial reality, the premier federal food-safety agencies agreed on Thursday on how to jointly regulate cell-based meat, a laboratory-grown protein that farm groups call “fake meat.” The FDA will oversee cell collection and growth, while the USDA will oversee harvesting and processing, and have final say over labeling.
Wildlife group says ethanol mandate should be lowered
The Renewable Fuel Standard, which guarantees biofuels such as corn ethanol a share of the gasoline market, has prompted farmers to plow under wildlife habitat and has contributed to agricultural runoff, said the National Wildlife Federation on Thursday.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Brown says no to presidential bid (Ag Insider): Senate Agriculture panelist Sherrod Brown of Ohio has decided against seeking the Democratic nomination for president. Two committee members, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, are in the race, and another, Michael Bennet of Colorado, is considering it.
Two weeks later, China buys U.S. soybeans (Reuters): State-owned companies purchased at least 500,000 tonnes of U.S. soybeans two weeks after the Trump administration said China had committed to buying 10 million tonnes during negotiations to resolve the trade war.
CBD soars as food and drink supplement (Food Business News): At the same time the farm bill legalized industrial hemp, consumer interest is pushing hemp, and its derivative cannabidiol (CBD), into products that include CBD-infused sparkling water, candy, cold-brew coffee, and protein bars.
Battle of the bees (High Country News): Environmentalists fear that bee species native to Utah will be harmed if a request from the largest commercial honeybee operator in the nation to store millions of bees in several national forests in the state is approved.
Is a hemp trade group in the works? (FERN’s Ag Insider): Hemp growers, processors, and operators of affiliated businesses are considering whether to establish a trade group to represent industrial hemp in Washington.
Dairy prices drive food index higher (FAO): The Food Price Index rose to its highest level in seven months due mainly to sharply higher dairy prices, up 5.6 percent in a month. Meanwhile, prices for meat, grain, vegetable oils, and sugar rose only marginally.
