USDA awards $115 million to boost independent meat processors
On Thursday, as part of an administration initiative to increase independent meat processing capacity, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $38 million in grants to processors and $77 million to intermediary lenders to finance the start-up, expansion, or operation of independent processing facilities. The result will be a stronger food supply chain and more competition in the meat processing sector, said the administration.
Ag, mining, construction groups ask for new wetlands rule in 45 days
Although the Biden administration says it will update its “waters of the United States” regulation by Sept. 1, it might have to act a bit faster than that under a motion filed in federal court in Texas. The motion asks the court to discard the Biden regulation entirely “and request that the agencies promulgate a new rule within 45 days.”
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Drought hits U.S. corn: “Recent overly dry weather, including in parts of the United States,” will temper the 2023/24 corn harvest, although global production will exceed last season, said the monthly Grain Market Report, which reduced its forecast of the U.S. crop by 2 percent. (IGC)
Question Florida property law: A state law that restricts property ownership by some residents of China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela is unconstitutional, said the Justice Department in a “statement of interest” in a federal court case in Tallahassee. (Politico)
Funding forest conservation: The USDA will spend $188 million to “conserve some of the most economically and ecologically significant forestlands across the nation” through the Forest Legacy Program, which works with states to use conservation easements and purchases to protect privately owned forests. (USDA)
Sow crate ban: State legislators sent New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy a bill that would effectively ban so-called sow crates by requiring farmers to provide 24 square feet of floor space for breeding sows, similar to the standard set by California’s Proposition 12. (The Center Square)
Aspartame safety ruling soon: The UN International Agency for Research on Cancer said that on July 14 it will release its assessment of aspartame. Some published reports say the artificial sweetener will be designated as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” (IARC)
