Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Agriculture has published the Origin of Livestock final rule for organic dairy, according to a USDA press release. The changes are intended to promote a fairer and more competitive market for organic dairy producers, by making sure that certified USDA organic dairy products are produced...
Washington, D.C.—USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released the results of the 2021 Hemp Acreage and Production Survey in its National Hemp Report, according to a USDA press release. Hemp grown in the open totaled 54,152 acres. Area harvested totaled 33,480 acres. The value of that hemp production was...
Washington, D.C.—The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced a “public listening session, with request for comment, regarding upcoming standards development activities, including feedback about specific recommendations received from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).” The Organic Trade Association (OTA) stated in a press release that this session is the...
Washington, D.C.—USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off the Annual Membership Meeting of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), according to a press release, laying out his agenda for the organic sector. Vilsack spoke live to over 250 members of the organization, and stated that he appreciates the importance of the organic...
Washington, D.C.—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) announced that it has asked the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to immediately vacate the Department of Agriculture’s 2018 withdrawal of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule. OTA also requested that USDA be ordered to reinstate the organic...
Washington, D.C.—The U.S. Senate has passed a bill containing language regarding country-of-origin labeling that FMI is calling “unworkable” for agricultural producers, food manufacturers, and grocery retailers. FMI is now advocating to prevent the language from passing in the U.S. House of Representatives. FMI and 14 other food industry associations wrote...
Washington, D.C.—With a growing hunger crisis in the U.S., the Biden Administration announced an executive order aimed at providing relief for American families and businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. Noting that 29 million Americans— and as many as 12 million children—are now impacted by the hunger crisis, the all-of-government...
Washington, D.C.—The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans is out, with recommendations for babies and an unaltered recommendation regarding sugar intake. The report is published by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS), and is required to be based on the preponderance of current scientific and...
Washington, D.C.—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) issued a statement regarding the reported choice Tom Vilsack as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President-elect Joe Biden. OTA said it looks forward to working again with Vilsack, adding that he "understands the importance and great potential of the American organic sector." Pointing to...
Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) have announced legislation aimed at addressing and correcting history discrimination within the USDA in federal farm assistance and lending. A press release on the topic explains that this discrimination has caused Black farmers to lose millions of...
