Ag News Thursday June 11, 2015

Senate Committee Votes to Stop EPA’s Regulatory Land Grab

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public works advanced legislation Wednesday to force the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to rewrite their “Waters of the U.S.” rule. During the markup, Wyoming Senator John Barrasso stated that the final rule, published on May 27th, is actually worse than the proposed rule. Committee Chairman James Inhofe expressed his concerns over the rule in a letter sent to the EPA. In the letter, he said according to the Army Corps, 60 percent of the substantive comments received on the proposed rule opposed the rule. Yet, the bill was finalized with problematic terms and little regard for stakeholders. The committee passed the Federal Water Quality Protection Act by a vote of 11 to 9.

Ag Gets Waiver From ‘Hours Of Service’ Rule

Livestock farmers were granted a two year waiver on Wednesday from the U.S. Transportation Departments hours-of-service rule for certain drivers. The rule, issued in mid-2013 by DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, requires truck drivers to take a 30-minute rest break for every 8 hours of service. A petition by the National Pork Producers Council on behalf of the livestock industry in 2013 granted the original waiver. Wednesday, a two year extension of the waiver was granted. Official notice of the decision is expected to be published in the Federal Register today (Thursday) and the waiver will become effective June 12th.

House Passes COOL Repeal

The U.S. House has sent a bill that would repeal Country of Origin Labeling on to the Senate. The bill passed the House 300-131 Wednesday night. House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway told House members “repeal is the only viable option before us to avoid this retaliation.” Canada and Mexico have vowed to act upon retaliatory measures after the World Trade Organization’s latest ruling allowed the two counties to seek retaliations.

Canadian Ag Minister Gerry Ritz issued a statement following the passage. Ritz said "While this marks a positive step, the only way for the United States to avoid billions in retaliation by late summer is to ensure legislation repealing COOL passes the Senate and is signed by the President."

Source:  NAFB News