USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack appeared before the House Agriculture Committee last week to discuss the state of the rural economy and field questions on the implementation of the Farm Bill. Over the past few weeks USDA officials have appeared before the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to discuss USDA’s proposed budget for FY2015. And as always, bills are being introduced on the Hill that would have real impacts on the lives of farmers. Here are some key highlights:
Trade
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Letter to USTR and USDA on USMCA and Mexico
The fact that the U.S. continues to deregulate genetic engineering — in the face of evidence of harm to both workers and biodiversity from associated pesticide overuse15 does not justify imposing these policies on other countries under the guise of trade policy. While agribusiness trade groups may demand such policies (which certainly benefit global pesticide and seed companies), they do not benefit family farmers.
Organizations Urge SD Senators to Amend US Beef Integrity Act, S2744
Organizations urge Senators Thune and Rounds (SD) to amend S.2744, The U.S. Beef Integrity Act, to correct the current misuse of the “Product of USA” label on imported beef products within a comprehensive mandatory COOL bill.
NFFC Statement on $12 Billion Trade Bailout
Family Farmers and Ranchers Seek Economic Empowerment, not Taxpayer Bailout
Farm, Faith and Rural Groups Oppose TPP to Congress
The undersigned 161 farm, food, rural and faith groups urge you to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement.
But, This Free Trade Deal Will Really Be Good For Everyone!! (And have I got a deal for you on a bridge in Brooklyn).
Trade is good, but but “free trade” doesn’t work for farmers or workers or most everyone else. Free trade does, however, work spectacularly well for corporations who have over 600 advisers to the TPP negotiations— we have no access to the negotiations, corporations have plenty.
NFFC and Affiliate Organizations Oppose the DARK Act
NFFC and 327 groups from around the nation wrote a letter to both the House and the Senate opposing the Deny Americans the Right-to-Know (DARK) Act. This legislation would deny states the right to require labeling of genetically modified food, would prevent the FDA from mandating GMO labeling in the future and would allow foods containing genetically engineered ingredients to be labeled “natural.” The Senate letter is listed below and you can find the House letter here.