AG News, Wednesday July 29, 2015

Corn, Soybean Growers Submit Comments to EPA on RFS

The National Corn Growers Association is telling the Environmental Protection Agency to “stay the course” on the Renewable Fuel Standard. The NCGA submitted comments to the EPA this week that highlighted the importance of the RFS and urged the Agency to restore the 2014-16 corn ethanol volume to statute. The comments state the RFS has “spurred growth in agriculture, increased energy diversity and decreased GHG emissions from fossil fuels through the development of renewable energy resources.” Meanwhile, the American Soybean Association submitted comments that point out the benefits of soy-based biodiesel. It says those benefits include contribution to a more diversified energy market; increased domestic energy production; reductions in greenhouse gas emissions; new jobs and economic development; expanded markets; and reduced soy meal feed costs. It its comments, the ASA recognized the EPA’s improvement in its approach to biomass-based diesel fuels in its proposed final rule for the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Trade Policy Priorities Take Center Stage at USGC Annual Meeting

Delegates with the U.S. Grains Council are meeting in Montreal, Canada this week, where they are taking on topics such as global trade, the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, and trade policy’s role in the future dynamics of the market. During a panel discussion, panelists said high-quality TPP agreement would effectively lower taxes and the regulatory burden for agricultural producers. They also urged the farmers and agribusiness representatives in the room to educate policy makers about the importance of these agreements to their profitability.

Source: NAFB News