Ag News, Friday June 29, 2015

Redemptions of SNAP Benefits at Farmers Markets Increasing

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participants are spending more of their benefits to make purchases at roadside farm stands, farmers markets and directly from local farmers than ever before. USDA announced a nearly six-fold increase since 2008 on benefits redeemed at farmers markets. For fiscal year 2014, USDA said those redemptions totaled $18.8 million. Since 2008, the number of SNAP-authorized farmers, roadside farm stands, and farmers markets grew dramatically, from 753 to in excess of 6,400.

Canada and Mexico say Repealing COOL is the Only Option

Mexican and Canadian officials have sent letters to the U.S. Senate agriculture committee stating repeal of Country of Origin meat labeling is the only option to avoid retaliation. Chairman Roberts said, “Whether you support COOL or oppose COOL, the fact is retaliation is coming. And this committee has to fix it.” The letters from Mexico and Canada were sent in advance to Thursday’s committee hearing on COOL. According to USDA, mandatory COOL has already cost the U.S. beef, pork and chicken sectors approximately $1.8 billion. The House has already passed a bill that would repeal COOL, an option that the Senate is considering.

EPA Hears Testimony in Favor of RFS

The National Corn Growers Association, among others, took to Kansas City, Kansas, Thursday, to testify during an EPA public hearing on the agencies Renewable Fuels Standard proposal. The EPA has proposed reducing corn based ethanol in the RFS, a move that according to NCGA, would hurt rural economies and farmers. NCGA President Chip Bowling told the EPA “We simply cannot afford - and will not tolerate - efforts to cut the demand for corn, and that's exactly what your proposal will do.” Growth Energy’s Tom Buis told the EPA during his testimony that “companies from all over the world have invested billions of dollars in first and second generation biofuels in the U.S. and are poised to do more.” He said “now is the time for EPA to move the RFS forward, not backward.” The National Corn Growers held a rally outside of the hearing facility, called A Rally for Rural America, bringing back the saying “Don’t Mess with the RFS.”

source NAFB News