As the Biden administration winds down, EPA has taken an important new step in its effort to deal with contamination from PFAS chemicals, a significant concern for some farm groups. The agency has released a draft risk assessment that says using PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge on farms may expose growers and those eating affected agricultural products to health risks.
EPA modeling suggests consuming 32 ounces of milk, one liter of water, one egg, or one to two servings of fish per day from farmland or water exposed to contaminated sewage sludge may pose health risks, an EPA fact sheet says. The model reflects scenarios where farmers apply biosolids containing one part per billion of PFOA or PFOS, common types of PFAS. PFAS are also known as "forever chemicals."
But, but, but: Not all farms are expected to present a health risk, the assessment says. Biosolid application amounts, forever chemical concentrations and environmental conditions all affect the risk level associated with contaminated products, as does human consumption.
In a press release, EPA says its analysis "does not suggest that the general food supply is impacted by the use of biosolids that contain PFOA or PFOS.”
Tune in: EPA is holding a webinar at noon today to discuss the findings.
Alcohol, ag groups urge agencies to discard ICCPU report on alcohol
The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking, a HHS committee, has published its draft report on the links between alcohol and health outcomes.
Among other findings, the report says low-level risk of dying from alcohol use begins with moderate consumption; higher levels of consumption are linked with higher rates of mortality risk.
Alcohol and agriculture groups were quick to criticize the report. A coalition of groups including the Beer Institute, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States and National Association of Wheat Growers, say there was a lack of transparency and limited opportunities for stakeholder input throughout the process.
Ways and Means Republicans warn of estate tax hit to farmers
If Congress allows the 2017 tax cuts to expire, Republicans argue farmers will be particularly affected by a reduced estate tax exemption.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act temporarily doubled the estate tax exemption. In 2025 inheritances of less than $13.99 million are tax-free. But the temporary increase sunsets at the end of the year.
Farmers with land assets that have grown in value could be particularly affected by the TCJA’s expiry, Republicans warned in a Ways and Means Committee hearing on Tuesday.
Some two million U.S. farmers are “facing a potential increase in their death tax if Congress doesn't act soon,” committee Chair Jason Smith, R-Mo., said.
Iowa’s Rep. Randy Feenstra went even further and suggested Congress should eliminate the estate tax altogether. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., countered, however. “[If] we really cared about our farmers, we’d take this tariff discussion off the table now.”
Some food industry groups frustrated with front-of-pack proposal
Consumer and public health groups largely celebrated the Food and Drug Administration’s long-awaited proposal on front-of-pack labeling Tuesday, but some complained it is overly simplistic.
The proposed labeling features a black-and-white nutrition box with information on saturated fat, sodium and added sugars.
"This long overdue proposal has potential to usher in healthier consumer purchases, incentivize companies to produce healthier products, and stem the rising tide of preventable conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease," said Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.
But some industry groups said the proposal was too simplistic.
The International Dairy Foods Association said the proposal could stigmatize certain dairy products by not including information on additional, beneficial nutrients. The Sugar Association said the limited label information required could incentivize the use of artificial sweeteners that many consumers try to avoid.
The Consumer Brands Association and the Food Industry Association (FMI) appeared disappointed that the FDA’s proposal did not more closely resemble the voluntary industry “Facts up Front” labeling.
Read more about the proposal here.
Trump previews ‘external revenue service’ for tariff collection
President-elect Donald Trump says he will create an “External Revenue Service” to collect tariff revenue after he returns to office.
In a Truth Social post, the incoming president said “soft and pathetically weak Trade agreements” had outsourced growth and prosperity to the rest of the world.
“It is time for that to change,” Trump wrote. “I will create the EXTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE to collect our Tariffs, Duties, and all Revenue that come from Foreign sources.”
Keep in mind: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is currently responsible for administering tariffs, collecting revenues, performing audits and leveling penalties. Finance Committee Chair Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., dismissed Trump’s proposal as “silly rebranding.”
House Ag Democrats announce new roster
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig, D-Minn., has announced the latest slate of Democrats to serve on the committee, with two empty seats left for the party to fill.
Rep. David Scott, D-Ga., who previously served as ranking member, and Rep. Jim Costa, D-Calif., who challenged Scott and Craig for the top role, will both continue on the committee.
Some[2] members are departing the panel, including Reps. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, Greg Casar, D-Texas, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., Salud Carbajal, D-Calif., and Darren Soto, D-Florida.
New members include Michigan Reps. Shri Thanedar and Kristen McDonald Rivet. Freshman members Adam Gray, D-Calif., Shomari Figures, D-Ala., Eugene Vindman, D-Va., Josh Riley, D-N.Y., John Mannion, D-N.Y., and April McClain Delaney, D-Md., will also join the panel.
Read our story on Agri-Pulse.com.
Final word:
Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., in comments to Agri-Pulse urged President-elect Donald Trump to avoid doing anything “impulsive” on tariffs.
“I hope that it's not impulsive, and there seems to be a pattern of impulsiveness as it relates to many of these issues,” Neal said. The House Ways and Means Committee ranking member was responding to a question on recent reporting from Bloomberg that claimed Trump aides are weighing a gradual approach to tariff hikes. The approach would see tariff rates rise over a number of months.
“I just think you're better off threatening tariffs than doing them. But I do think he is hell-bent on some tariffs, but also, he changes his mind the next day, so you never know.”
