Trump tariffs target top U.S. ag trade partner
Just months after retaliatory tariffs deposed China as the leading customer for U.S. farm exports, President Trump threatened import duties of up to 25 percent on Mexico, the No. 1 food and ag trade partner of the United States. Farm groups fear the trade war will cut deeper into the shrinking global market for U.S. crops and livestock
EPA approves year-round sale of E15
The EPA pointed to “President Trump’s promise” in ending its summertime ban on the sale of E15, a richer blend of corn ethanol into gasoline than the traditional blend of 10 percent. The oil industry, in response, hinted at a possible lawsuit.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Farm gets $2 million in Trump payments (New Food Economy): The Trump administration’s trade mitigation payments to farmers are limited to $125,000 per person, but at least one farm received more than $2 million and three others collected more than $1 million.
Soggiest year in more than a century (NASA): The continental United States recorded its wettest 12 months in 124 years of recordkeeping; the average of 36.2 inches of precipitation in the 48 contiguous states was 6.25 inches above the mean.
Soybeans, the big trade war weapon (The Conversation): Soybean growers are among the biggest casualties of the Sino-U.S. trade war because China dominates world trade in the oilseed and because U.S. soybean growers usually export half of their crop.
Consultant poses as reporter at Roundup trial (AFP): An employee of FTI Consulting, whose clients include glyphosate maker Bayer, claimed to be a freelance journalist while taking notes and talking to news reporters during a trial in San Francisco on the health risks posed by Roundup weedkiller.
Smithfield won’t take trade mitigation payments (Reuters): Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods said it will not take part in a USDA program that buys surplus food to offset the impact of the Sino-U.S. trade war on the agriculture sector.
Industry, activists urge FDA to act on CBD (Washington Post): All sides agreed during a public hearing that the FDA needs to quickly decide on rules for the booming market in cannabis extract cannabidiol.
ON THE USDA CALENDAR
Monday
– Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue speaks during “federal government day” at Innovative Housing Showcase, 10 a.m. ET, The Mall between Fourth and Seventh streets.
– House votes on $19.1-billion disaster relief bill, which includes $3 billion in agricultural aid, 6:30 p.m. ET, The Capitol. Democratic leaders put the bill on the so-called suspension calendar, which limits debate to one hour, bars amendments, and requires for passage a two-thirds majority of representatives present and voting.
– Institute of Food Technologists holds Expo IFT19, through Wednesday, New Orleans.
– USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
– Biotechnology Innovation Organization holds international biotech convention, through Thursday, Philadelphia.
Tuesday
– House Education and Labor subcommittee hearing, “Examining the policies and priorities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service,” 10:15 a.m. ET, 2175 Rayburn. Brandon Lipps, acting chief of the nutrition service, is expected to be the lead witness.
– House Appropriations Committee votes on $153-billion USDA-FDA funding bill for fiscal 2020, 10:30 a.m. ET, 2359 Rayburn.
– Purdue University releases its monthly Ag Economy Barometer, providing a sense of the agricultural economy’s health.
– Agriculture Undersecretary Ted McKinney leads USDA’s “largest-ever international trade mission” of 54 agribusinesses and associations and six state departments of agriculture to Colombia and Panama, through Friday, Bogotá, Colombia.
Wednesday
– House Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “Examining the impacts of relocating USDA research agencies on agriculture research,” 9:30 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
– Livestock Marketing Association holds annual convention, through Sunday, Visalia, California.
Thursday
– UN Food and Agriculture Organization releases monthly Food Price Index, Rome.
