FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (May 26, 2016) – The Senate Agriculture Committee today convened a hearing to discuss opportunities and challenges in the livestock and poultry sectors, and National Farmers Union (NFU) encouraged Senators on the panel to hear from cow-calf producers as they grapple with the … Read More
NFU Pleased by Absence of GIPSA and Organic Livestock Riders in Senate Appropriations Bill, Disappointed by More Conservation Cuts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (May 19, 2016) – The Senate Appropriations Committee today marked up the fiscal year 2017 appropriations bill, and National Farmers Union (NFU) was pleased to see controversial provisions excluded from the bill. The organization, representing nearly 200,000 family farmers and ranchers, applauded the … Read More
Senate Ag Hearing on Farm Credit Lends Discussion on Critical Issue
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 19, 2016 Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 ajerome@nfudc.org WASHINGTON (May 19, 2016) – The Senate Agriculture Committee today examined the current state of affairs at a hearing about the Farm Credit System (FCS) and the farm sector’s credit outlook. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson applauded committee members for making this issue … Read More
USITC Report Predicts Increase in Trade Deficit, Modest Gains Overall From TPP
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