Farm Headlines, November 4, 2016

Obama Administration Pushing for TPP during Lame-Duck Session

President Barack Obama is forging ahead in an attempt to get Congress to vote on the Trans-Pacific Partnership following the election. The Wall Street Journal writes the Obama Administration will push for the “long-shot” bid immediately after Congress returns to Washington, D.C. for the lame-duck session. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman says: “We’re doing everything we possibly can to maximize the chance of getting it done.” Froman and others have been on a campaign-like spree to promote the benefits of the 12 nation trade agreement. Both presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, have voiced opposition to TPP on the campaign trail. The agreement represents a significant boost for agriculture exports and income if passed and implemented by all member countries.

Canada Investigating Bovine Tuberculosis

Around 30 farms in southeastern Alberta, Canada are under quarantine as Canada attempts to track down cattle exposed to bovine tuberculosis (TB). CBC News of Canada reports the investigation stems from a U.S. Department of Agriculture notice in September that a cow from Alberta tested positive for bovine TB at a U.S. slaughter plant. This is the 10th confirmed case of bovine TB identified in the U.S. from foreign animals this year. The Alberta Beef Producers organization says preliminary test results are still pending on the quarantined herds and more test are underway on other herds that had direct contact with the infected animal. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says bovine TB has been subject to a mandatory national eradication program in Canada since 1923. The farmer who owns the ranch the infected animal originated from told the Northern Ag Network this week his herd, along with neighboring herds, would be “destroyed.” Canada is still officially considered to be free of the disease, CFIA said, and the finding of the lone slaughter cow in the U.S. does not affect Canada’s current status.

Source:  NAFB News