Written by M. Sean High – Staff Attorney
The following information is an update of recent,
local, state, national, and international legal developments relevant to
agriculture:
Organic:
AMS to Delay Organic Livestock and Poultry Effective Date
On February 8, 2017, the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced
that the effective date of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final
rule, published on January 19, 2017, has been delayed from March 20, 2017, to
May 19, 2017. The new requirements cover
livestock handling and transport for slaughter, avian living conditions,
livestock care and production practices, and mammalian living conditions. According to AMS, the delay is the result of
the January 20, 2017, Memorandum from the Assistant to the President and Chief
of Staff, entitled, Regulatory Freeze
Pending Review.
GIPSA:
USDA Announces Comment Extension for Unfair Practices and Undue Preferences
Violations
On February 7, 2017, the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
(GIPSA) announced
a 30 day extension of the proposed rule—published at 81 FR 92723—“clarify[ing]
the conduct or action by packers, swine contractors, or live poultry dealers
that GIPSA considers unfair, unjustly discriminatory. The comment period now closes on March 24,
2017. According to GIPSA, the delay is the result of the January 20, 2017,
Memorandum from the Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff, entitled, Regulatory Freeze Pending Review.
GIPSA:
USDA Announces Extension of Comment Period for Poultry Grower Ranking System
On February 7, 2017, the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration
(GIPSA) announced
a 30 day extension of the proposed rule published at 81 FR 92723. The proposed rule “identifies criteria that
the Secretary may consider when determining whether a live poultry dealer's use
of a poultry grower ranking system for ranking poultry growers for settlement
purposes is unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive or gives an undue or
unreasonable preference, advantage, prejudice, or disadvantage.” The comment period now closes on March 24,
2017. According to GIPSA, the delay is
the result of the January 20, 2017, Memorandum from the Assistant to the
President and Chief of Staff, entitled, Regulatory
Freeze Pending Review.
Food
Safety: FAO Issues Food Chain Crisis Management Document
In February 2017, the Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) released a publication entitled Averting
Risks to the Food Chain. The purpose
of the document is to “prevent animal disease, plant pest outbreaks, and food
safety incidents before they occur.” According to FAO, the intended use of the
document is to assist “experts, policy makers, national institutions, and
development workers” in the pursuit of ending world hunger.
AgLaw HotLinks:
- New bill aims to prohibit “milk” as a label for plant-based drink products - Feedstuffs
- Group of chicken farmers sue poultry processors alleging collusion over wages - Reuters
- Demand for beef higher than expected, according to National Cattlemen’s Beef Board - Brownfield
- State ag leaders put food safety on priority list for 2018 farm bill - FoodSafetyNews
- Medical Marijuana facility gets township approval; still needs PA issued permit - LancasterOnline
- Wyoming House committee approves country of origin labeling bill - Meatingplace
- Wyoming & S. Dakota introduce bills to require country-of-origin labeling for beef - FoodSafetyNews
- "4 Court Cases to Watch in Agriculture" - CattleNetwork
- GIPSA rule on market practices in livestock & poultry industry is delayed till April - AgriPulse
- More than half of the volume of wheat produced in the United States has received a loan deficiency payment during the year - USDA
- Tyson received subpoena from SEC for antitrust lawsuit - Meatingplace
- "Cargill turkey brand first to meet Certified Responsible Antibiotic Use standard" -Meatingplace
- Lawmakers in PA argue against Philadelphia soda tax decision - Law360
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