Farm Bureau backs ‘one farmer, one vote’ for dairy marketing rules
A task force created by the largest U.S. farm group called on Wednesday for more democracy in the federal milk-marketing orders that guide dairy sales throughout the United States and for greater equity between producers and processors in a system that dates from the Depression.
Congressional Black Caucus opposes tighter SNAP eligibility rules
The Trump administration proposal to tighten eligibility rules for food stamps “will push struggling families and children further into poverty, and we strongly urge USDA to rescind it immediately,” said the 55 members of the Congressional Black Caucus on Wednesday.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Soda tax comes to D.C. (WAMU): A soda tax that went into effect yesterday in Washington, D.C., is expected to produce approximately $3.2 million in annual revenue, which will be used to help cover the cost of a new public health program.
Foie gras ban looms (Civil Eats): A proposed ordinance to ban the sale of foie gras in New York City would cut sharply into the sales of the two farms that are the largest U.S. suppliers of the French delicacy and could end American production of the food.
Onion prices go crazy in Asia (Times of India): India, the world’s largest supplier of onions, has banned export of the vegetable because of short domestic supplies, and as a result, prices are rising throughout Asia.
As talks near, China buys soybeans (USDA): Private exporters reported the sale of 464,000 tonnes of U.S. soybeans worth $155 million to China on Tuesday, a week ahead of the start of ministerial negotiations on the Sino-U.S. trade war.
Waste paper as a soil ‘amendment’ (USDA): When the U.S. Army shreds classified documents, the pulverized paper it produces is a cheap, high-quality organic material that can be used to improve soil health and restore native grasses on military training lands, reports the Agricultural Research Service.
