FDA needs a deputy commissioner for food, lawmakers, industry and public health
If FDA commissioner Robert Califf listens to outside advice, he would create a powerful post — deputy commissioner for food — as part of restructuring of the agency. Califf could unveil a “new vision” for the FDA — which has been criticized as a disorganized protector of the food supply — as early as Tuesday. The common idea from lawmakers, the food industry and public health groups was to put one person in charge of FDA’s food offices.
Farm bill should expand SNAP, test fruit and vegetable incentives
Congress should expand SNAP, the premiere U.S. anti-hunger program, to all American territories in the new farm bill and test whether benefits tied to the purchase of fruits and vegetables would improve the diets of SNAP households, a high-powered task force proposed on Tuesday. The recommendations could add billions of dollars a year to SNAP outlays at a time when conservative Republicans want to cut its cost.
Emergency SNAP ends, anti-hunger groups scramble to meet the need
Millions of Americans are about to lose nearly $3 billion in SNAP benefits that were put into place to fight hunger during the pandemic. The extra benefits were not supposed to expire until the end of the Covid-19 public health emergency. But the government spending bill passed by Congress in December makes February the last month that the federal government will issue the emergency allotments. Anti-hunger groups say that these allotments have been a lifeline for families that are barely coping with high food and energy costs. They warn that people will go hungry, food pantries — already struggling with exceptionally high demand — will be overwhelmed and the economy will suffer.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Canada, Mexico ‘ignore’ USMCA: The Biden administration must be ready to pursue enforcement actions as necessary under the USMCA because Canada and Mexico “continue to ignore” their obligations, including in agriculture, said leaders of the Senate Finance Committee. (Finance)
Kernza disappoints on yields: Kernza attracts attention as a perennial wheat but its yields are about one-third of conventional wheat and it may be 15 years or more before plant breeders bring a high-yielding variety to market. (Ambrook Research)
Torres Small for deputy: Xochitl Torres Small, the Agriculture undersecretary for rural development, is a top contender to succeed Jewel Bronaugh as deputy secretary, according to “six people familiar with internal deliberations.” (Politico)
Rural electric infrastructure loans: Some 64 electrical cooperatives and utilities will receive $2.7 billion in USDA loans to expand and modernize the rural electric grid and improve grid security; the largest loan, $263 million, goes to Great Lakes Energy Cooperative in Michigan. (USDA)
Ag census deadline near: Responses are due on Monday to questionnaires for the Census of Agriculture, conducted every five years and providing the government’s most detailed description of the farm sector. (National Agricultural Statistics Service)
