FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (May 18, 2016) – The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) today released their economic assessment of the widely contested Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement, predicting modest gains for the overall economy despite an increase in the United States’ already massive trade deficit. National … Read More
NFU Statement on Proposed RFS Volume Targets
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 18, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (May 18, 2016) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed today its Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVO) for 2017 at 18.8 billion gallons, which fall more than 5 billion gallons below the statutory volume levels set by Congress. Pointing … Read More
Senate Appropriators Consider Blocking Organic Livestock and Poultry Proposed Rule
By Barbara Patterson, government relations representative, National Farmers Union This week, the Senate Appropriations committee will take up consideration of the Agriculture Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2017. Just as in every year in recent memory, National Farmers Union is working to defeat legislative riders. Riders are a tool that appropriators use to block funds … Read More
NFU Commends Sen. Grassley’s Reintroduction of Legislation Banning Packer Ownership of Livestock
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 11, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (May 11, 2016) – A staunch advocate for more competition in agriculture, National Farmers Union (NFU) released the following statement commending U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) for reintroducing legislation to ban packer ownership of livestock: “The livestock market today is heavily concentrated among … Read More
FOIA and the Agricultural Checkoff Programs
By Barbara Patterson, government relations representative, National Farmers Union Last week, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2017 Agriculture Appropriations bill, which once again included the controversial GIPSA rider, a provision that proactively limits farmers’ basic rights and protections. Accompanying this bill was report language (this is guidance on the bill, but it … Read More
NFU Pleased by White House Efforts to Improve Competition in U.S. Industries
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (April 22, 2016) – Several industries have been on a decades-long trajectory towards increased market concentration, according to a recent report from the Council of Economic Advisers. Last week, the White House expanded their efforts by issuing an Executive Order, requesting that government agencies recommend … Read More
Earth Day Should Inspire Strengthened Focus on Climate Change, NFU Says
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 22, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (April 22, 2016) – Climate change is a shared problem that requires a collaborative solution, and the National Farmers Union (NFU) is commending the continued progress towards environmental sustainability in observance of Earth Day. “From farms and rural communities to urban centers across … Read More
Earth Day 2016: Through the Eyes of an Orchardist
By Harrison Topp, Membership Director, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union When people ask what I grow, my first response is usually trees. Really, I’m an orchardist who produces stone-fruits, predominantly cherries and plums. But I have the closest relationship with my trees and with the ecosystem around them. From the “understory,” to the canopy, to the … Read More
NFU “Appalled” by Latest GIPSA Stall Attack
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 19, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (April 19, 2016) – After several years of proactively limiting farmers’ basic rights and protections, Congress appeared poised to finally let the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) implement a provision included in the 2008 Farm Bill to provide needed marketplace protections to contract … Read More
NFU Audio: Barbara Patterson on House Appropriations GIPSA Rider
NFU Government Relations Representative Barbara Patterson talks about NFU’s objection to the House Appropriations Committee GIPSA rider that proactively limits farmers’ basic rights and protections. Read more about the subject on this NFU release: NFU Appalled by Latest GIPSA Attack