Policy Articles
OIG Seeks Changes to SLN Registration Process
Published February 11, 2021
The EPA’s Inspector General is calling for improvements to the process surrounding Special Local Needs pesticide registrations. In a new report, the Office of the Inspector General said this process does not effectively reduce risk or prevent pollution. EPA’s Office…House Ag Committee Advances Budget Reconciliation Bill
Published February 10, 2021
The House Agriculture Committee advanced a $16 billion budget reconciliation bill Wednesday. There’s $4 billion in the proposal to respond to the pandemic's impact on the food supply chain and another $1 billion to help black and minority farmers with…Governor Walz Sends Biofuels Letter to President Biden
Published February 10, 2021
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz sent a letter to President Biden on Wednesday asking him to support the biofuels industry and reverse the Trump administrations actions in supporting small refinery exemptions. Walz wants the Biden administration to issue an executive order…MFU Minute
Published February 10, 2021
Budget discussions are continuing at the capitol during the Minnesota legislative session. Hear more from Minnesota Farmers Union Government Relations Director Stu Lourey in the MFU Minute.Corn Matters
Published February 10, 2021
Minnesota Corn Growers Association President Tim Waibel recently testified on buffer tax relief during the state legislative session. Learn more in this edition of Corn Matters.Delaney Moves to Senate Ag Committee
Published February 10, 2021
Patrick Delaney is the new director of external affairs for the Senate Agriculture Committee. In this role, Delaney will oversee coalition building and stakeholder outreach. Previously, Delaney was the chief spokesperson for House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and handled…EPA Nomination Forwarded to Full Senate
Published February 9, 2021
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed EPA Administrator Nominee Michael Regan’s nomination out of committee on Tuesday. The vote was 14 to 6. Regan’s nomination will now be considered by the full Senate.MFBF Update
Published February 9, 2021
The Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation is watching state budget discussions, along with Capital Gains Tax rates on the national level. Hear more from President Kevin Paap in the latest MFBF Update.Chinese Authorities Crack Down on GMO Production/Research
Published February 9, 2021
The Chinese agriculture ministry has identified eight companies that illegally produced or studied biotech seeds. The seed corn was confiscated and the companies were fined. China does not allow the planting or production of GMO seeds.