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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
The US grain industry will see a paradigm shift to ample supplies and lower prices in this crop year. Illinois corn farmer and newly elected president of the US Grains Council, Ron Gray sees the shift as a challenge and an opportunity. The industry feels the burden to increase production to meet demand but is also challenged by trade restrictions that stymie growth opportunities.
As Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Doc Hastings seeks to guide the legislative process in both growing the economy and protect federal lands. Last week the House approved legislation to bring transparency to the Endangered Species Act and looks to develop policy to grow jobs from harvesting energy resources in federal lands.
Our guest this week is Missouri 6th District Representative Sam Graves.
As chair of the House Small Business Committee and member of the Transportation Committee, Graves is anxious for a long term resolution to finding resources for the Highway Trust Fund. He has introduced legislation to reign in EPA regulations on farms and small businesses. Graves wants a solution to the nation's immigration policy, but says the administration should do more to enforce the country's existing immigration policy.
The FDA and USDA have said that genetically modified crops are safe and should not warrant additional food labels. Others argue consumers have a right to know if the foods they purchase include ingredients from such crops. At least 30 states have considered additional food label requirements. Vermont recently became the first state to pass their own GMO labeling laws that now are seeing legal challenge from the GMA and others
Drought and disease have reduced cattle and hog numbers in the US at a time when global meat demand is at an all time high. Phillip Seng, President and CEO of the US Meat Export Federation says trade agreements and accepted science are keys to unlock potential additional global meat sales. He describes the impact of growing meat demand in places like China and Latin America and how the USMEF is working to secure additional market share for the US livestock industry.
Global soybean and other oilseed producers gathered in Paris, France last week participating in the International Oilseed Producers Dialogue. As President of the American Soybean Association, Iowa’s Ray Gaesser participated in the discussion of developing a unified voice on issues of biotechnology, sustainability and global acceptance of new production technologies among global oilseed consumers.
