Policy Articles
Euthanasia Situation to Accelerate This Week
Published April 27, 2020
With closed plants and a growing backlog of hogs, depopulation has begun for Minnesota’s swine herd and will accelerate this week. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has resources available on euthanasia and carcass disposal on its website. Indemnity payments are…Petition Drive Underway for Mandatory COOL
Published April 27, 2020
R-CALF USA has launched a petition urging President Trump and Congress to immediately pass mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef, pork and dairy products. Within the first 30 hours, the petition received 26,000 signatures. R-CALF says the labeling law is needed…U.S. Ready to Implement the USMCA
Published April 26, 2020
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer notified Congress on Friday that the U.S. - Mexico - Canada Agreement would be ready for implementation on July 1. This is the final step necessary for the USMCA to take effect. Read more.Klobuchar Asks Trump Administration to Investigate Price Challenges
Published April 26, 2020
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar is asking Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, Attorney General William Barr and Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Heath Tarbert to identify the disruptions in the meat supply chain and market manipulation. In a letter, Klobuchar addresses the…Removing Payment Limits Could Lower COVID-19 Payments
Published April 24, 2020
It’s been one week since the USDA announced the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Since then, lawmakers and agricultural organizations are giving feedback before a rule is submitted to the Office of Management and Budget. One request from the agriculture sector…Another Economic Stimulus Package Being Discussed
Published April 24, 2020
Discussions on a fourth coronavirus stimulus package are underway. For agriculture, the big debate could be structuring more aid for the industry moving forward. "Some people will look at getting more funds for the Commodity Credit Corporation, others will prefer…Lawmaker Proposes More CCC Funding
Published April 24, 2020
Georgia Representative Austin Scott introduced legislation to provide $50 billion for the Commodity Credit Corporation. The legislation doesn't allow the imposition of payment limitations on COVID-related assistance. This is similar to a USDA request and a request earlier this year…Stabenow: USDA Can Address Payment Limits
Published April 24, 2020
Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow addressed concerns for the $125,000 payment limits for direct payments in the USDA’s COVID-19 relief package. "Given the circumstances, the USDA has flexibility to address that. They did that in the Market Facilitation…Commodity Purchases Designed to Move Farm Products
Published April 24, 2020
The USDA’s coronavirus assistance program includes $3 billion in commodity purchases for emergency food aid programs. A total of $100 million per month will be invested each for meat products, dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables. Pre-approved food boxes…