The undersigned 207 farm, ranch, rural, faith, labor, environmental, farmworker, manufacturing and consumer organizations urge the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee to reject any effort to weaken, suspend or rescind mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) in the upcoming legislation to provide funding for the federal government for the remainder or part of Fiscal Year 2015.
Opposition to anti-GIPSA rider letter to House Appropriations
One hundred sixty eight organizations across the country signed onto a letter asking the House Appropriations Committee to oppose policy riders that inhibit GIPSA’s regulation and implementation authority.
Letter to House Appropriations regarding COOL funding levels
One hundred seventy-nine organizations signed onto a letter asking the House Appropriations committee to reject attempts to defund COOL through policy riders.
Letter to Senators Pryor and Blunt on Veteran Farmers
Forty-five organizations signed on to a letter urging Senators Pryor and Blunt to fully fund programs for veterans who are now in agriculture and the Military Veterans Agricultural Liaison office during the current appropriations process.
Letter to Farm Bill Conferees advocating for COOL
Ninety six organizations signed on to this letter advocating that no changes be made to country of origin labeling (COOL) rules during the 2014 Farm Bill Conference. Please read it here 2014 Farm Bill Conferee COOL Letter
Trade
The faith, labor, family farm, consumer, environmental, human rights and social justice organizations within Citizens Trade Campaign (CTC) wrote Obama urging him to enact meaningful trade reform as his administration enters into negotiations for a proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement (TPP). To learn more about the TPP, visit www.citizenstrade.org/tpp.php.
Food Safety Modernization Act Update
NFFC joined approximately 300 farms, farm businesses and allied organizations on this Food Safety Modernization Act sign-on letter defending the Tester-Hagan exemption. It was submitted to the USDA as a formal comment on FSMA to both the Produce Safety and the Preventive Controls rule.
Letter to President Obama on Sect. 2501
Here is a new letter sent to the President about restoring full funding for Section 2501 of the Farm Bill.
Farm Bill Conferee Letters
This week, we cosigned two letters address to the Farm Bill Conferees. One is on the Farm Bill in total and one is specifically on GIPSA. Please read them below.
We Need A Full and Fair Farm Bill Now!
Amidst discussion of the potential government shutdown, the Farm Bill extension from 2012 is set to expire October 1st.
Letter to Sec. Vilsack about COOL
Please read our sign-on letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack about COOL.
Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
Letter to House and Senate Agriculture Committees urging support for programs important to beginning and minority farmers. This was sent to help influence their deliberations that are being submitted to the Select Committee on Deficit Reduction (10.25.11)