Farm bill is chance to develop a new model for prosperity
Congress should build into the new farm bill pathways that will allow small and midsized producers to make a living from the land rather than having to rely on off-farm income, as is common now, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday. In a speech to the National Farmers Union convention, Vilsack cited the administration’s initiatives to develop markets for climate-smart products, expand local meat processing and encourage local marketing of farm goods as examples of ways to create or increase farmers’ revenue streams.
USDA suggests tighter rules for ‘Product of USA’ label on meat
Closing a loophole, the Agriculture Department proposed on Monday to allow packages to carry the “Made in the USA” or “Product of USA” label only if the meat, poultry and eggs in them were born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. Consumer and activist farm groups applauded the proposal while the meat industry said it may violate trade rules.
U.S. calls for consultations with Mexico over GMO corn ban
The United States asked for technical consultations with Mexico over its agricultural biotechnology policy on Monday, the first formal step toward a challenge under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada free trade agreement. Mexico, the leading customer for U.S. corn exports, said in mid-February that it would ban entry of GMO corn used in making tortillas but accept GMO corn intended for livestock feed and industrial processors.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
A win for ocean biodiversity: For the first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas. (UN)
White House vows WOTUS veto: If Congress passes a Republican-backed resolution to overturn the administration’s “waters of the United States” rule, the president will veto it, said the White House ahead of a House vote expected later this week. (White House)
HPAI vaccination is considered: The Biden administration “is contemplating a mass vaccination campaign for poultry” in response to 13 months of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza and may also encourage stricter biosecurity safeguards at poultry farms. (New York Times)
Illinois nixes renewable bans: A new state law in Illinois takes away local governments’ ability to limit or ban solar and wind power projects; California and New York have similar laws. (Inside Climate News)
Extend school meal comments: The USDA should allow an additional 30 days, until early May, for comment on its “complex and far-reaching” proposal for new nutrition standards for school meals, including the first limit on sugar, said two key Republicans in Congress. (House Education)
