Balanced Reporting. Trusted Insights. Thursday, June 18, 2026

Trade

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Daybreak June 17: Screwworm projects funded

The Agriculture Department is putting $105 million into 40 research projects aimed at better equipping the U.S. to combat the spread of New World screwworm, the agency says. The National Corn Growers Association and 15 state corn organizations are calling on USDA to fund research supporting the full value of corn as a driver of new market opportunities and farm revenue.


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EU passes gene editing regulation

The European Union has adopted a regulation allowing streamlined approvals for gene-edited plants — a development that seed and biotech companies are lauding as a breakthrough on a continent known for its strict oversight of agricultural production.


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Daybreak June 12: States outline costs of SNAP compliance

The costs states face in co-funding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are comparable to the roughly $15 billion spent on transportation in fiscal 2025, the National Association of State Budget Officers tells Senate and House Agriculture committee leaders. USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears says 7,000 inspectors with the Food Safety Inspection Service are “leading the animal health charge” in the fight against New World screwworm, and the parasitic pest does not pose a threat to the food supply.


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