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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Friday, August 16, 2024
Critics of commodity checkoffs are making a fresh run at imposing new restrictions on the programs, including a prohibition on contracting research and promotion work out to organizations that lobby Congress or federal agencies.
A pair of commissioners from the Federal Maritime Commission urged action on a bill to reform ocean shipping laws on Thursday, telling senators the commission doesn’t have adequate tools to combat sky-high export pricing.
Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow is expressing optimism that the Senate will pass the Growing Climate Solutions Act today. But the Senate will first debate an amendment by Utah GOP Sen. Mike Lee that would weaken a critical provision of the legislation, which is intended to speed development of ag carbon markets.
Farm groups are worried a UN initiative to reshape food production could result in recommendations that harm U.S. trade and deter the use of technology globally. But USDA tells Agri-Pulse the Biden administration will be emphasizing technology and research in its contributions to the UN Food System Summit.
Tom Vilsack will be back in very familiar surroundings today after winning easy Senate confirmation as agriculture secretary. He is expected to be sworn in today.
Some small-farm backers and animal welfare advocates are pushing for tighter policing of checkoffs, but the self-help commodity promotion programs are popular with most farmers, so don't hold your breath expecting new mandates from Congress.