Trump injects food stamp limits into signing of ‘really tremendous’ farm bill
At the same time President Trump signed into law the 2018 farm bill, which modestly strengthens the farm safety net, loosens farm subsidy rules, and legalizes industrial hemp, he announced “immediate action on welfare reform” on Thursday through stricter enforcement of time limits on food stamps to able-bodied adults.
USDA releases GMO labeling rule
The USDA released rules on Thursday for on-package labeling of bioengineered ingredients. The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard will require most food manufacturers, importers, and some retailers to clearly label bioengineered ingredients.
Keep USDA science agencies in D.C., say lawmakers
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A powerhouse group of U.S. representatives, including incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, filed a bill on Thursday to block the relocation and reorganization of USDA research agencies.
Trump, Congress make it harder for CAFO neighbors to know what they’re inhaling
Recent actions by the GOP-controlled Congress and the Trump administration have exempted big livestock operations from reporting air emissions, according to the latest story published with Mother Jones.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Roberts mulls, run or retire? (Politico): Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts, 82, who just steered the five-year farm bill into law, said he will decide soon whether to seek a fifth term in 2020.
USDA publishes genome of honeybee parasite (USDA): Scientists at the Agricultural Research Service published the genome of the small hive beetle, a possible step toward finding effective treatments for a major parasite of honeybees.
Too-hot food robot (Los Angeles Times): UC-Berkeley students mourned the fiery demise of a food-delivering Kiwibot, one of the more than 100 robot devices that deliver food throughout the campus and surrounding Berkeley, calling the ice-chest-sized device a “hero” and “legend.”
Officials claim massive organic fraud (AP): Federal prosecutors said a Missouri farmer falsely marketed corn, wheat, and soybeans as organic grain and defrauded customers of $140 million, one of the largest frauds ever uncovered in the organic sector.
Slowest population growth rate in 80 years (Carsey School): The U.S. population grew only 0.62 percent this year, the smallest annual growth rate since 1937, with nine states losing population and many others, both rural and urban, becoming more reliant on migration to grow.
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