Farms.com Home   News

Senate Passes 2012 Farm Bill, House To Begin Markup In July

The Senate this week passed its version of the 2012 Farm Bill, officially referred to as the “Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012,” by a 64-35 vote. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Ranking Member Pat Roberts, R-Kan., narrowed the number of amendments to the legislation from more than 200 to 73. The “Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012” and an amendment to ban packer ownership of animals, both of which NPPC strongly opposed, were dropped from consideration during the Farm Bill debate. An amendment to end all commodity checkoff programs and one related to labeling food containing genetically engineered ingredients failed overwhelmingly. An amendment to defund the foreign market development (FMD) program and the market access program (MAP), which help facilitate the sale of U.S. pork in international markets, also was defeated. Lawmakers approved an amendment sponsored by Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and John Kerry, D-Mass., that repeals the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s catfish inspection program. In the 2008 Farm Bill a provision was inserted to move inspection of catfish from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to USDA, a duplicative regulation that would have required an establishment that processes catfish to be inspected by both agencies. Repeal of the 2008 catfish legislation is important to U.S. exporters, including food and agriculture groups such as NPPC, because the United States is vulnerable to a challenge of the dual inspection of catfish at the World Trade Organization. Vietnam, a major catfish exporter and one of the countries in the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations, strongly objected to the inspection regulations. Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes estimates that Vietnam could be a huge market for the U.S. pork industry pending the outcome of the TPP talks.

Source: NPPC


Trending Video

Felipe Hickmann: Lowering Manure Nitrogen

Video: Felipe Hickmann: Lowering Manure Nitrogen

In this cutting-edge episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, we host Felipe Hickmann, a PhD candidate at the University of Laval, to explore the intricate relationship between dietary protein levels, pig manure nitrogen content, and its consequential impact on anaerobic digestion within the swine industry. Delving into Felipe's research, this episode sheds light on sustainable nutrition strategies that not only enhance environmental stewardship but also optimize agricultural practices. Essential listening for professionals in swine nutrition seeking to balance productivity with sustainability. Tune in to not miss this insightful discussion.