GE salmon cleared for U.S. dinner plates
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More than three years after the FDA approved, for the first time, a genetically engineered animal as safe to eat, the government opened the door for AquaBounty Technologies to grow and sell its GE salmon in the United States.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
U.S. corn exports weaken (USDA): Competition from Brazil and Argentina will combine with rising U.S. prices to limit corn exports to 2.375 billion bushels during the 2018/19 marketing year, the second-lowest export total since 2007/08.
Xi and Trump unlikely to meet in March (Financial Times): U.S. ambassador Terry Branstad said no date has been set for Presidents Trump and Xi, of China, to meet, despite hopes for a summit soon to resolve the trade war.
Trump nominates Bernhardt for Interior (White House): The acting Interior secretary, David Bernhardt, was tabbed by President Trump to take the post permanently.
Pesticide registration law is updated (Senate Agriculture): President Trump signed into law a reauthorization of the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act, which extends EPA authority to collect fees for registration of pesticides and also sets review periods for the chemicals.
Drug tests for food stamps (The Hill): A bill proposed in the Alabama legislature would require people to take a drug test in order to receive food stamps, and they would lose eligibility for benefits if they fail the test more than once.
DDG exports worth $2.47 billion (RFA): Nearly 1 in 3 tonnes of distillers dried grains, a co-product of ethanol production that is used in livestock rations, was exported last year, a total of 11.88 million tonnes worth $2.47 billion.
Australia cotton crop down 48 percent (USDA): With harvest season at hand, Australia’s cotton crop, an estimated 2.5 million bales, is nearly half the size of the previous crop due to persistently hot and dry weather in January and February that reduced yield potential.
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
– President Trump releases fiscal 2020 budget proposal, which will include large cuts in USDA programs, according to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, and will propose new work requirements for able-bodied adults in order to qualify for social welfare benefits, including nutrition assistance, according to published reports.
– National Farmers Organization holds “Convene ‘19,” through Wednesday, West Des Moines, Iowa.
Tuesday
– U.S. trade representative Robert Lighthizer is lead witness at Senate Finance Committee hearing to assess the state of the WTO.
– House Education and Labor subcommittee hearing, “Growing a healthy next generation: Examining federal child nutrition programs.”
– Acting White House budget director Russell Vought is lead witness at House Budget Committee hearing on President Trump’s fiscal 2020 budget proposal.
– Inspector General Phyllis Fong of USDA is lead witness at House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on fiscal 2020 funding.
– Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing, “The impact of broadband investments in rural America.”
– USDA releases Oil Crops Outlook and Cotton and Wool Outlook, noon ET.
– USDA releases Feed Outlook, Wheat Outlook and Rice Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
– Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on the nomination of Heath Tarbert to be CFTC chairman.
– House Interior Committee hearing, “Forgotten voices: The inadequate review and alteration of our national monuments.”
– Acting White House budget director Russell Vought is lead witness at Senate Budget Committee hearing on President Trump’s fiscal 2020 budget proposal.
– USDA holds webinar to solicit public comments on provisions of the 2018 farm policy law that legalizes industrial hemp and name USDA to supervise state and tribal regulation of the crop, noon ET. For details on how to watch the webinar or submit testimony.
– USDA releases Agricultural Baseline report making projections for the crop and livestock sector for the coming decade, delayed from Feb 14 by the partial government shutdown, noon ET.
– USApple hosts Capitol Hill Day, Washington
Thursday
– National Agriculture Day, organized by the Agriculture Council of America to promote public awareness of agriculture’s role in modern society.
– Consumer Federation of America hosts annual National Food Policy Conference, through Friday, Washington. Speakers include FDA deputy commissioner Frank Yiannas, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Rep. Chellie Pingree, and Mindy Brashears, deputy agriculture undersecretary for food safety.
– International Grains Council releases monthly Grain Market Report, London.
– USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, noon ET.
– USDA releases Sugar and Sweetener Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Saturday
– Northeast Organic Farming Association hosts New Hampshire winter conference, Concord, New Hampshire.
