Prudent regulation, national registry sought for gene-edited products
With gene-edited products nearing the marketplace, six major consumer and conservation groups called on Wednesday for “effective, science-based government regulation” of the sector, including a national registry of gene-edited plants and animals. By contrast, they said, the USDA has “substantially deregulated gene-edited plants and proposed a similarly minimal oversight system for gene-edited animals.”
Senate confirms Moffitt as agriculture undersecretary for marketing
California state agriculture official Jennifer Moffitt, who pledged to give farmers more leverage in dealing with meatpackers, was confirmed by the Senate on Wednesday as agriculture undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. She was the first Biden nominee approved by the Senate for a sub-cabinet post at the USDA.
Prices surge for carryout and restaurant food
Meals at full-service restaurants cost 4.3 percent more than a year ago and prices at fast food outlets soared by 6.6 percent, said the Labor Department’s monthly report on inflation. The increases were the largest for either category since record-keeping began on them in 1996, said the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
USDA awards $167 million for broadband access
Projects in 12 states will receive a combined $167 million in USDA grants and loans to deploy broadband infrastructure in parts of rural America lacking sufficient access to high-speed internet service, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Wednesday.
Today’s Quick Hits
Pandemic hunger plunges: The U.S. hunger rate has dropped sharply, to 8.2 percent, since early July, nearly tying April for the lowest rate since the start of the pandemic, likely due to job growth, the child tax credit, and nutrition assistance. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Half the farms: Arkansas has half as many poultry farms as it did four decades ago, before the emergence of Springdale-based Tyson Foods as the largest U.S. poultry processor and before large-scale consolidation in the industry. (Union of Concerned Scientists)
Rising prices: Cattle prices are heading upward, enabling ranchers to snare some of the profits from strong U.S. demand for beef, said analysts at the Cattle Industry Convention. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
Fewer food bank fees: Thanks to donations during the pandemic, an increasing number of food banks are eliminating the fees they charge food pantries to defray the costs of transporting, handling, and storing donated food. (Food Bank News)
Skirting manure disclosures: Large dairy farms in New York have switched to a state permit that does not require public disclosure of their manure management plans, thwarting a court ruling that was expected to allow public review under federal pollution law. (American Prospect and New York Focus)
