Senate Ag Committee Schedules First Farm Bill Hearing

Jan 27, 2017

The U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry is getting right to work on the next Farm Bill. Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., announced yesterday that the first hearing of the 115th Congress will be held in Manhattan, Kan., on Feb. 23 and will focus on reauthorization.

Manhattan is home to Kansas State University, America's first land-grant university, and the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility. K-State is also Roberts' alma mater.

"It's time to get to work on another Farm Bill, and we're heading straight to the heartland to talk directly to producers," said Chairman Roberts. "I can't think of a more appropriate venue to hold this hearing than Manhattan, Kan."

The hearing will be titled "Hearing from the Heartland: Perspectives on the 2018 Farm Bill from Kansas" and will be hosted in McCain Auditorium. The time is yet to be announced.

"Our producers have had time to employ the programs in the current Farm Bill, and they have a lot to say. We need clear direction on what is working and what is not working in farm country, and we will be listening to see what needs to be adjusted," Roberts said.

Attendees will hear testimonies from a variety of agricultural producers who have yet to be announced.

Click here to see more...

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.