Associated Press
Individual States Considering Their Own GMO Labeling; Food Safety Issues Concerns In Syngenta Merger
As food companies are preparing to comply with the Vermont GMO labeling law, many other states are now considering their own GMO labeling laws including Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Those bills largely mirror the Vermont law...
New Opportunities for U. S. Ag in Cuba; Honey Production Down
Leaders from across the U.S. agriculture and food sectors are expressing support and optimism in new opportunities for collaboration with their Cuban counterparts. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that Research and Promotion Programs and Marketing Order organizations may conduct research and information sharing with Cuba...
USDA’s Seeking Data That Could Help the Honey Bees; EPA Extended Public Comments on Pesticides
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is reaching out to beekeepers and farmers across the nation this month and next to gather information on the number and health of honey bee colonies, honey production and stocks, and the cost to farmers of pollination services...
U.S. Slapped $228 Million in Tariffs by Mexico; Avian Flu Found in a Wild Duck From Oregon
Mexico has made a pledge to enact $228 million in tariffs on U.S. products following the World Trade Organization opening the door for trade retaliations against U.S. Country-of-Origin meat labeling. Mexico will enact the tariffs on U.S. apples, dairy products, liquor and hygiene products...
Canada and Mexico Could Set Tariffs on U.S. Beef; Oil Prices Hit a Seven-Year Low
The World Trade Organization Monday said Canada and Mexico can implement tariffs just over $1 billion because of the U.S. Country of Origin Meat Labeling law. An arbitration panel announced the final ruling, which says COOL requirements have cost the U...
Wal-Mart Could Be Cutting Prices; Wheat Import Tax Increase
One of the nation’s largest supermarket-style stores could squeeze suppliers for price cuts on everything from sports equipment to groceries. Reuters reports Wal-Mart Stores earnings numbers suggest more price cuts and reduced cost-sharing deals...
Obama Urging Congress to Vote on TPP; Food Information Documentaries Trustworthy?
The Obama administration wants Congress to vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership before next year’s lame-duck session. Congressional aides are saying the vote is likely to take place during the lame duck session. White House press secretary Josh Earnest said “the timeline that we envision is shorter than that,” but would not specify when the President would like the vote to occur...
Waters of the U.S. Rule Has Stalled in Court; U.S. Heading for Recession?
An appeals court has ordered a nationwide stay against the Waters of the U.S. Rule. The court decision says the rule could be overturned based on the merits of the lawsuits filed against the regulation. The Order was issued by the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Appeals against the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers on Friday...
Agreement Reached in TPP; $113 Million Awarded to Support Farmers
The U.S. and 11 other countries have reached an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. For the U.S., the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement opens agricultural markets in Japan and Canada, among other things. Canada and Japan have agreed to increase access to their dairy markets, allowing some American dairy products in, but New Zealand also persuaded the U...
Final Talks Being Held in TPP; Extreme Weather Events Threaten Farmers’ Yields
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman’s office will host trade ministers Wednesday and Thursday to further talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The TPP chief negotiators will meet on Saturday to Tuesday, also in Atlanta. The announcement is a signal that the meeting may result in a final agreement...
Murphy, Trout Power Angels Past Mariners 4-3
SEATTLE (AP) — David Murphy hit a three-run homer and Mike Trout added a solo shot to power the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-3 victory over Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night.
Murphy, hitting leadoff for the first time this season, hit his ninth home run off the top of the wall in right field in the third inning...
USDA Dealing With AG Risk Coverage Program; Country of Origin Meat Labeling Hearing Set
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA wants to treat all producers “equitably” under the across-the-board government spending cuts known as sequestration. The problem for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in dealing with cuts to the Agricultural Risk Coverage program and the Price Loss Coverage program is that the cuts are different in each fiscal year, and the farm programs are based on crop years...
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