News Update
December 18, 2017
Secretary Perdue Applauds
President Trump’s Leadership
on Reducing Regulations
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hailed President Trump’s release of the Unified Agenda and the results of regulatory reform efforts undertaken since the Executive Orders on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs and Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda were signed nearly a year ago.
“President Trump has shown great leadership on reducing burdensome regulations,” Perdue said. “Here at USDA, it is my goal to establish ongoing communications to give producers and consumers a voice on the implementation of new regulations and avoid unintended consequences associated with undermining our science-based approval process. The deregulatory actions announced yesterday generate measurable cost offsets in annualized savings and help ensure USDA’s programs are delivered efficiently, effectively, with integrity and with a focus on customer service. No longer can we afford onerous red tape that simply serves to hold American agricultural producers back from feeding and clothing the world.”
Regulatory reform is one of the cornerstones of the USDA strategies for creating a culture of consistent, efficient service to customers, while reducing burdens and improving efficiency. USDA has identified 27 final rules that will be completed in FY 2018 and result in $56.15 million in annual savings. Read the full USDA news release online.
USDA to Rescind Organic Livestock and Poultry Rules
The USDA Dec. 15 announced its intent to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule. The rule was finalized in January 2017, but placed on hold when the new administration took office.
National Farmers Union (NFU) supports the OLPP rule’s intent, as it would improve the consistency and integrity of organic livestock practices and labeling. NFU Senior Vice President of Public Policy and Communications Rob Larew issued the following statement in response to the announcement:
“This is a very disappointing decision by USDA, both for American family farmers and for consumers. Currently, we have too much inconsistency in how organic certifiers apply animal welfare standards to farming and ranching operations. This, in turn, endangers the organic label’s integrity and leads to consumer confusion. The OLPP rule would have helped mitigate these concerns by standardizing organic livestock and poultry practices for the voluntary National Organic Program.
“We urge USDA to find a solution that provides certainty to family organic producers and integrity to the organic label. Family farmers, ranchers and consumers all benefit from thorough, accurate and consistent food labeling.”
NPPC Applauds Withdraw Of Organic Rule
Listening to the farmers it would have affected, Perdue Dec. 15 announced that his agency will withdraw a proposed organic rule for livestock and poultry, a move hailed by the National Pork Producers Council.
The Obama-era regulation — the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule — would have incorporated into the National Organic Program welfare standards that were not based on science and that were outside the scope of the Organic Food Production Act of 1990. The act limited consideration of livestock as organic to feeding and medication practices.
“We’d like to thank Secretary Perdue and the Trump administration for listening to our concerns with the rule and recognizing the serious challenges it would have presented our producers,” said National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Ken Maschhoff, a pork producer from Carlyle, Ill.
NPPC raised a number of problems with the regulation, including animal and public health concerns and the fact that animal production practices have nothing to do with the basic concept of “organic.” NPPC also cited the complexity the standards would have added to the organic certification process, creating significant barriers to existing and new organic producers.
Learn more in the full NPPC news release online.
NMSU, NM Hay Association to Host Annual Hay,
Forage Conference in Ruidoso Jan. 17-19
Irrigation efficiencies and pest management will highlight the 2018 Southwest Hay and Forage Conference Jan. 17-19 at the Ruidoso Convention Center in Ruidoso, N.M.
“It is important for producers to stay up-to-date on the latest advances in the hay industry,” said Mark Marsalis, New Mexico State University (NMSU) Extension forage specialist. “This conference will address some of the most challenging issues that growers face on a daily basis.”
The conference, sponsored by the New Mexico Hay Association and NMSU’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, is targeted toward Southwestern hay, silage and pasture producers, with information specific to the unique growing conditions and water issues in the region.
“This year, we’ve assembled a broad range of forage knowledge and expertise from universities, crop consultants and industry interests across the United States,” Marsalis said. “This panel of speakers is sure to provide valuable information that our New Mexico producers don’t want to miss.”
Among the speakers will be specialists from around the western United States with experience of producing forages in challenging environmental and economic conditions.
For more information please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events.
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