Agri-Pulse staff

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2013 – A comprehensive immigration reform package containing a new agricultural worker program should emerge from the Senate in “late spring or summer” and give the House time to approve a bill before the end of the year, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said today.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its volumetric requirements proposed for 2013 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). The proposal is open for a 45-day public comment period.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2013 – The Senate approved legislation (H.R. 325) today, with a 64-34 vote, which would allow for a short-term increase in the nation’s debt limit and would withhold salaries from members of Congress if either chamber fails to approve a budget.

CME Group Inc., which controls the world’s largest grain market, said in a letter to its customers this week that it will reduce trading hours for its grain and oilseed futures and options contracts.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2013 – The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported today that spot prices for U.S. fuel ethanol were lower throughout most of 2012 compared to 2011.

Senator Mark Pryor, D-Ark., announced Wednesday that he will chair the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2013 - Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., today re-introduced legislation (S. 175) to eliminate a “burdensome, costly and redundant” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) permit requirement for applications of pesticides.

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan Garcia today announced that beginning Feb. 5, USDA will issue payments to dairy farmers enrolled in the Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) program for the September 2012 marketings.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2013 – President Obama signed into law legislation (H.R. 152) late Jan. 29 that provides the Agriculture Department with $230.4 million as part of a larger $50.5 billion disaster assistance package to deal with the impacts of Hurricane Sandy.

Most foodborne illnesses can be attributed to leafy vegetables, while most deaths related to foodborne noroviruses are the result of contaminated poultry, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study.