Weekly Food & Agriculture Update 7.15
WEEKLY FOOD & AGRICULTURE UPDATE
July 15, 2019
A quick look at what’s happening in Washington, D.C. that’s impacting food and agriculture. If you would like to subscribe to the receive the updates right to your inbox, please contact Marissa Dake.
Big Picture Outlook
- Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Reduce Ag Specialist Shortage- A bipartisan group of Senators, including Senate Ag Committee Leaders Roberts (R-KS) and Stabenow (D-MI), Senate Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Peters (D-MI) and Sen. Coryn (R-TX), introduced the “Protecting America’s Food & Agriculture Act of 2019”. The act would authorize Customs & Border Patrol to hire 240 agricultural specialists a year until the estimated 700 inspector positions are filled. It would also authorize hiring 200 agricultural technicians to carry out administrative and support functions, as well as 20 canine teams each year. Inspectors are responsible for inspecting produce, meat and other agricultural goods that enter the United States. They work to ensure that pests and diseases do not enter the country and that the country’s food supply remains secure. With the current prevalence of certain diseases like African Swine Fever, these inspectors are all the more important in safeguarding agricultural production in the United States.
Nominations & Confirmations
- There were no nominations or confirmations relating to agriculture or food this week.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
- The House Ag Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture will hold a hearing on “Reviewing the State of the US Livestock and Poultry Economies”.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
- The House Ag Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research will hold a hearing on “Assessing the Effectiveness of the National Organic Program”.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
- The Senate Ag Committee will hold a hearing on “Agricultural Research and 2018 Farm Bill Implementation”.
MTA In Action
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Quick Look Back
- Senators Aim to Produce Five-Year Highway Bill Before August Recess
- USDA Now Making Payments For New Dairy Margin Coverage Program
- USDA Extends Deadline To Report Spring Acreage In 12 States
- Reps. Reed, Brindisi Say More Investment Needed For Rural Broadband
- House Judiciary Committee Advances Farmer Bankruptcy Assistance
- Bill Aims To Require OSHA To Develop Heat Standard