Congress is back in action this week after a two-week recess. The first order of business in the Senate this evening is a vote to advance the nomination of Xochitl Torres Small to be the deputy secretary of agriculture, a post that’s been vacant since Jewel Bronaugh stepped down earlier this year.
While there hasn’t been any public opposition to her nomination, a lone senator’s objection has prevented the Senate from approving her nomination by voice vote.
Also today, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a field hearing on agricultural trade issues at the Minnesota farm of former National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Don Schiefelbein.
Schiefelbein, who will be one of the witnesses at the hearing, tells Agri-Pulse he’ll make the case that the “government should push back on individuals and countries who attempt to diminish our ability to provide beef per consumer demand.”
Another witness, Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish, says he’ll tell lawmakers that “fair and stable” trade deals are critical to farmers. “Trade agreements need to address the whole supply chain from the farmers, workers, trading partners to the ultimate consumer,” he says.
For more on this week’s ag policy agenda, read our Washington Week Ahead.
USDA launches assistance program for victims of discrimination
The Agriculture Department warned producers to be aware of scams as it officially launched the application process for victims of discrimination in farm lending programs to receive assistance.
“Farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination by USDA in its farm loan programs prior to January 1, 2021 and/or are currently debtors with assigned or assumed USDA farm loan debt that was the subject of USDA discrimination” before that date are eligible, the department said.
USDA said it had learned that some lawyers and groups had been “spreading misleading information about the discrimination assistance process, pressuring people to sign retainer agreements, and asking people to fill out forms with private and sensitive information.”
But the application process, which is open until Oct. 31, is free, and no attorney is necessary, USDA said.
The IRA provides $2.2 billion for the program. Individual assistance is capped at $500,000.
Tai addresses GM corn dispute with Mexican, Canadian trade leaders
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai took advantage of meetings this week with her North American counterparts to discuss the U.S.-Mexico dispute over genetically modified corn, according to USTR statements that provided no further details.
Tai brought up the issue first in a meeting with Mexican Economy Secretary Raquel Buenrostro and then in another meeting with Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng.
Canada last month joined the dispute proceedings on the side of the U.S., which argues that Mexico has unfairly rejected approvals of GM seeds and outlawed the use of GM white corn in making of tortillas.
Mexico and Japan buying new crop US corn
U.S. exporters contracted sales of 418,000 metric tons of corn for delivery in the 2023-24 marketing year during the week of June 23-29, most of which will be sent to Japan and Mexico, according to the latest weekly data out of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
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Japanese buyers contracted for 172,600 tons, while 104,100 will be going to Mexico in the upcoming marketing year.
In a further sign of continued Mexican demand, USDA also announced Friday a separate daily sale of 180,000 tons of corn to Mexico, 135,000 tons of which will be delivered in 2023-24. The remaining 45,000 tons is for delivery in the current 2022-23 marketing year.
As to exports for the week of June 23-29, the U.S. shipped out 707,500 tons of corn, and Japan and Mexico were the biggest destinations. The U.S. shipped 275,500 tons to Japan and 217,700 tons to Mexico during the seven-day period.
New federal advisory committee to recommend changes to Northwest forest management
A new federal advisory committee has been set up to make recommendations on management of the 19 national forests in northern California, Oregon and Washington, the Agriculture Department said Friday.
The committee’s recommendations will be “focused on a climate-informed amendment of the Northwest Forest Plan to update management direction so that national forests are managed sustainably, adapted to climate change, and resilient to wildfire, insects, disease, and other disturbances, while meeting the needs of local communities,” USDA said.
“The committee represents a diverse group from Tribes, local communities, environmental groups, industry, and academia across northern California, Oregon and Washington,” according to the department.
Questions, comments, tips? Email Associate Editor Steve Davies.
