New FDA food chief names top three priorities
A month after starting work as the FDA’s first deputy commissioner for human foods, Jim Jones on Thursday listed three areas for attention to promote the health and wellness of Americans: preventing foodborne illness, decreasing diet-related chronic disease through improved nutrition, and protecting the food supply through the safe use of chemicals and dietary supplements.
High interest rates discouraging farmers from borrowing money
Ag bankers say farmers are tapping their savings from recent boom years instead of borrowing money at what are the highest interest rates since 2007. The average operating loan issued this past summer was nearly 20 percent smaller than the average a year ago, the lenders said in surveys by regional Federal Reserve banks.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Support for organic dairies: Vermont Sen. Peter Welch introduced a bill that would make organic dairy farmers eligible for emergency aid if their annual income falls by 10 percent due to factors including feed shortages and high prices. (Sen. Welch)
India’s rice exports shrink: With export controls in place, shipments of rice from India to the world market will drop to 15.8 million metric tons, the smallest total in four years, said the monthly Grain Market Report. (IGC)
HPAI hits four states: Nearly 544,000 turkeys in Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, and Utah have died in outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza since Oct. 4, when the viral disease reappeared in commercial flocks after a six-month break. (USDA)
Governor faces backlash: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen is being criticized for responding to a report about nitrate runoff at his farms by focusing on the nationality of the reporter instead of addressing the substance of her story. (Associated Press)
Promise of the bioeconomy: At the World Food Forum in Rome, government officials and a German entrepreneur said the so-called bioeconomy could be a catalyst for responding to climate change and achieving sustainable food production. (FAO)
