Farm bill hurdles include the difficult politics of SNAP, says Stabenow
The “very difficult” politics of SNAP are among the greatest obstacles to passing the new farm bill, said Senate Agriculture Committee chair Debbie Stabenow on Wednesday. The Michigan Democrat is a stalwart defender of public nutrition programs in a year when House Republicans want to apply a 90-day limit on food stamps to a greater number of recipients.
WIC needs an additional $1 billion — or more — says think tank
Due to rising participation rates and food inflation, the Women, Infants, and Children program will need $7.2 billion to $7.3 billion in the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 — far above the amounts being considered by Congress, said the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities on Wednesday.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Six practices to cut GHGs: If corn farmers in the Midwest adopted six practices — including crop rotations, cover crops, and selective planting of grasses and trees — on a large scale, they could reduce emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, by 4 million metric tonnes. (EWG)
Biotech farm bill wish list: The farm bill should support the bioeconomy through such steps as increased funding to build facilities that make advanced biofuels and a “more efficient, science-based regulatory system” for bringing innovations to market. (Biotechnology Innovation Organization)
Black Sea blockade: The British Defense Ministry said Russia has altered its naval activities in the Black Sea following its withdrawal from an agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports and could be preparing “to enforce a blockade of Ukraine.” (VOA News)
Farmworkers demand heat relief: The United Farm Workers and its allies are urging the Department of Labor to adopt a nationwide, permanent heat protection standard after two farm workers were killed by extreme heat earlier this month. (UFW)
Canadian cabinet moves: As part of a cabinet shakeup, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau named Lawrence MacAuley to be agriculture minister, a post he held from 2015 to 2019. Mary Ng will continue as minister of international trade. (CBC)
Insurance for small farms: Companion bills in the House and Senate would revise crop insurance rules to encourage agents to sell policies to small farmers and specialty crop growers. (Rep. Salinas)
