July 26, 2021

Agricultural Law Weekly Review – Week Ending July 23, 2021

WOTUS: County of Maui Filing Requests Court to Follow EPA Guidance, No Need for NPDES Permit 🌾
On July 21, 2021, in response to the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii’s July 15, 2021 ruling that the County of Maui (County) must obtain a Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for its wastewater injection well disposal, Defendant County of Maui filed an analysis of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) January 2021 guidance memorandum, “Applying the Supreme Court’s County of Maui v. Hawaii Wildlife Fund Decision in the Clean Water Act Section 402 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit Program.”  Hawaii Wildlife Fund v. County of Maui, No. 1:12-cv-00198.  The EPA guidance allows for consideration of system design and performance as part of the “functional equivalent of a direct discharge” analysis to determine whether a facility must obtain a NPDES permit. The guidance also distinguishes a system “designed and operated to treat or attenuate pollutants”—which would not require a permit—from a “discrete conveyance into a water of the United States with little or no intervening treatment or attenuation”—which would require a permit.  In its filing, allowed by a July 16, 2021, judicial phone conference, the County argues that it should not be required to obtain an NPDES permit because the design and performance of its wastewater treatment fit the exceptions described in the guidance, and requests that the court “follow EPA guidance.”  Plaintiff environmental groups filed a statement in response asserting that the guidance, which EPA issued in the last week of the previous administration and is under agency consideration for revision, does not have the force of law and the design and performance factor is indicative of intent which is irrelevant because the Clean Water Act imposes strict liability for pollutant discharges.  For background, see ALWR—Week Ending July 16, 2021, “County of Maui Must Obtain Federal Clean Water Act Permit for Wastewater Injection Well Disposal.”

Pesticides/Herbicides: New York Finalizes Chlorpyrifos Prohibition
On July 21, 2021, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) published in the New York State Register (43 N.Y. Reg. 29) a notice adopting revisions to 6 NYCRR Part 326, which prohibit the “distribution, sale, purchase, possession, or use of” chlorpyrifos.  The agency action cancels fifteen chlorpyrifos-based products in response to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s December 2019 S.B. 5343 Veto, which directed DEC to ban the pesticide faster than the timeline proposed in the legislation.  The recently cancelled product registrations were left active following DEC’s December 2020 cancellation of twenty-nine chlorpyrifos products in order to accommodate the 2021 apple growing season.  Also announced by the New York Governor, the cancellations are effective July 31, 2021, after which all chlorpyrifos products must be discarded immediately.  DEC’s May 3, 2021 Enforcement Discretion for Distribution of Unregistered Products Containing Chlorpyrifos allows for temporary in-state distribution of chlorpyrifos to remove and dispose of the cancelled products.  Also, the enforcement discretion allows the storage of unopened containers of chlorpyrifos products until February 1, 2022, or until DEC retracts the enforcement discretion.  See also ALWR—December 19, 2019, “NY Governor Directs Ban on Chlorpyrifos by Agency Action.”

COVID-19: USDA Announces Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers
On July 20, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program (PATHH), which will provide payments to timber harvesters and haulers for COVID-19-related losses.  USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will administer the program in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.  Eligible applicants are timber harvesting or hauling businesses with 50% or more of gross revenue from cutting, processing, or transporting timber.  As applications are approved, FSA will issue a first payment of the lesser of 80% of the difference between the applicant’s 2019 and 2020 gross revenues or $2,000.  FSA will issue a second payment after the application period closes based on leftover funds but will not pay more than the $125,000 maximum to any person or entity directly.  USDA encourages applications from businesses with a 10% gross revenue loss between the 2019 and 2020 calendar years.  On July 23, 2021, FSA posted a notice of funds availability for the program in the Federal Register (86 FR 38970).  The application period runs from July 22, 2021, through October 15, 2021.

COVID-19: Application Period Opens for Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program, Details Released
On July 20, 2021, the application period opened for the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA).  The program provides payments to swine, chicken, and turkey producers who experienced animal loss between March 1, 2020, through December 26, 2020, due to inadequate processing facility access resulting from the pandemic.  Eligible producers must be U.S. citizens or resident aliens, have had legal ownership of the depopulated animals, have an adjusted gross income less than $900,000, and certify their compliance with USDA’s Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation regulations (7 CFR 12).  The payment rates are based on 80% of the animals’ fair market value and the cost of depopulation and disposal.  PLIP payments, which are not subject to per person or entity limitations, will be reduced by any amounts received from state animal disposal programs, rounds 1 and 2 of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), and USDA’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program.  FSA will accept PLIP applications from July 20, 2021, through Septembers 17, 2021.  See also ALWR—Week Ending July 16, 2021, “USDA Announces Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program.”

COVID-19:  Second Solicitation Released for The Emergency Food Assistance Program Fresh Produce Packages
On July 21, 2021, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service released the documentation for the second round of solicitation for The Emergency Food Assistance Program Fresh Produce Packages, Solicitation 2000007948, (12-3J14-21-B-0464), which replaces the Farm to Families Food Box Program.  USDA has posted a training video on how to submit a bid and the bid deadline is 12:00pm EST, Wednesday August 4, 2021. For background, see ALWR-Week Ending April 16, 2021, “Farmers to Families Food Box Program Ends; Fresh Produce Box Purchases and Dairy Donation Program Planned” and ALWR-Week Ending April 30, 2021, “Solicitation Issued for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) Fresh Produce Box Procurement.”

National Agricultural Policy: Trade Groups Form Protein PACT Initiative
On July 19, 2021, the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) announced a joint initiative with eleven other animal agriculture organizations, dubbed the Protein PACT for the People, Animals & Climate of Tomorrow.  The Protein PACT aims to solicit public commitments from industry actors to demonstrate progress in five focus areas: 1) “optimize contributions to healthy land, air, and water,” 2) “be the leading source of high-quality protein in balanced diets,” 3) “provide the most humane care and raise healthy animals,” 4) “produce safe products without exception,” and 5) “support a diverse workforce and ensure safe workplaces.”  The Protein PACT consists of the following groups: Animal Agriculture Alliance, Beef Alliance (BA), Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), Elanco, Institute for Feed Education & Research (IFEEDER), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), We Care Pork, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), North American Meat Institute (NAMI), United Soybean Board (USB), U.S. Meat Export Federation, and U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef.

Complete the South Mountain Partnership Solar Energy Development Survey. South Mountain Partnership is working with organizations throughout Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, and York counties to provide resources that help address and meet municipal needs around solar energy development, especially industrial scaled solar.  Your feedback will inform their strategy.

Center for Agricultural and Shale Law Programs & Resources:

Podcast: Penn State Agricultural Law Podcast, listen to our latest weekly episode here.

Upcoming Events:

Quarterly Dairy Industry Legal Update Webinar, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 12 noon–1 pm EST:
“Geographical Indications in International Dairy Trade,” with Chloe Marie, LL.M., Research Specialist.

Penn State News, Research, & Resources:

2020 Pennsylvania Farm Fatal Injury Summary

Global Warming May Limit Spread of Dengue Fever, New Research Finds (July 22, 2021).

Fire Operations-Prescribed Burning Combo Reduces Wildfire Severity Up to 72% (July 14, 2021).

Other Agricultural Law/Policy Resources of Interest: 

U.S. Department of Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, USGS Chesapeake Science Strategy 2021-2025 (July 16, 2021)

The Counter, Mexico is phasing out imports of glyphosate and GMO corn. (July 19, 2021)

Micah Brown, Proposed Tax Exemption for Community Ag Lenders (July 20, 2021).

Roger A. McEowen, Navigable Waters Protection Rule—What’s Going on with WOTUS? (July 22,2021).

Brigit Rollins, WOTUS Update: EPA Makes Announcement, Status Update for On-Going Lawsuits (July 22, 2021).

Kitt Tovar Jensen, President Biden Issues Executive Order Targeting Anti-Competitive Practices (July 23, 2021).

Weekly Featured Graphics:

  1. Squad of CBF Students Sets Out to Squish Spotted Lanternflies

  1. AFBF Market Intel: USDA Announces Details of New Program for Producers Who Suffered Losses from Depopulation

  1. Vermont Law School, Center for Agriculture & Food Systems, Essentially Unprotected: A Focus on Farmworker Health Laws and Policies Addressing Pesticide Exposure and Heat-Related Illness (May 2021)

U.S. Congressional Legislative Hearings:

AGENCY PRESS RELEASES—STATE/FEDERAL

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Press Releases:

Secretary Of Agriculture to Travel Pennsylvania, Tour Urban Gardens Building Resilient Communities (July 19, 2021).

Secretary Of Agriculture: Agriculture Is Changing The Trajectory For Pennsylvania’s Urban Spaces (July 23, 2021).

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Press Releases:

USDA Announces Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (July 20, 2021).

U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Key Staff (July 21, 2021).

USDA Agency Press Releases:

Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA Announces Changes to Blackeye Bean Inspection Criteria (July 19, 2021).

USDA Announces Revised Performance Measures for AMS Grant Programs (July 22, 2021).

USDA Lifts PACA Reparation Sanctions on Georgia Produce Business (July 23, 2021).

USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case Against Lynch Livestock Inc. (July 23, 2021).

USDA Determines Individual not Responsibly Connected to New Jersey Violator (July 23, 2021).

USDA Settles a Packers and Stockyards Case Against Derek W. Crites dba DC Farms (July 23, 2021).

USDA Issues a Complaint against Daniel Baranzini, Carlos Plascencia and Sonoran Cattle LLC (July 23, 2021).

Agricultural Research Service

New ARS Food and Nutrition Research Briefs Issued (July 20, 2021).

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

APHIS Seeks Comment on Draft Pest Risk Assessment for the Importation of Fresh Soursop from Ecuador (July 19, 2021).

APHIS Issues Notice of Final Environmental Assessment for a Biological Control Agent of Common Crupina (July 19, 2021).

APHIS Announces Phase Six Lacey Act Enforcement Schedule Effective Date of October 1, 2021 (July 21, 2021).

APHIS Administrator Announces Several Animal Health Leadership Changes (July 21, 2021).

APHIS Issues Notice of Supplemental EA to Expand the Use of an Oral Rabies Vaccine into Pennsylvania (July 23, 2021).

Economic Research Service

Trends in Production Practices and Costs of the U.S. Corn Sector (July 2021).

Farm Service Agency

Deadline Fast Approaching for Conservation Reserve Program General Signup (July 19, 2021).

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Constituent Update—Registration Open for USDA Sessions on Racial Justice and Equity (July 23, 2021).

Foreign Agricultural Service

Whitley Named Administrator of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (July 21, 2021).

How the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Demonstrate the Importance of Ag Trade (July 22, 2021).

Private Exporters Report Sales Activity for Mexico (July 23, 2021).

Forest Service

USDA Announces Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers (July 20, 2021).

Forest Service Chief Announces New Regional Forester for Pacific Southwest Region (July 22, 2021).

Forest Service Announces Key Appointment to Executive Leadership Team (July 22, 2021).

National Agricultural Statistics Service

United States Cattle Inventory Down 1 Percent (July 23, 2021).

Agricultural Statistics Board Briefing—July Cattle (July 23, 2021).

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

​NIFA Invests Over $7M to Support Research Innovations and Workforce Development at Agricultural Colleges (July 21, 2021).

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE

Pennsylvania Executive Agencies (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 51, No. 30—July 24, 2021):

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

51 Pa.B. 3981 Notice: “Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council Public WebEx Meeting [July 29, 2021].”

Department of Environmental Protection

51 Pa.B. 4032 Notice: “Draft Revised Water Quality Assessment Methodologies; Available for Public Comment.”

51 Pa.B. 3981 Notice: “The Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law And The Federal Clean Water Act

Applications For National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits And Water Quality Management (WQM) Permits Under The Clean Streams Law And Federal Clean Water Act.”

51 Pa.B. 4031 Notice: “Availability of Grants through the Small Business Advantage Grant Program.”

Game Commission

51 Pa.B. 4034 Notice—Executive Order: “Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Importation Ban #1.”

Susquehanna River Basin Commission

51 Pa.B. 4043 Notice: “Grandfathering Registration Notice.”

51 Pa.B. 4043 Notice: “Projects Approved for Consumptive Uses of Water.”

51 Pa.B. 4044 Notice: “Telephonic Public Hearing [August 12, 2021].”

Pennsylvania Legislature      

HB 1565 “An Act amending . . . the Air Pollution Control Act, further providing for definitions, for fees and for disposition of fees, fines and civil penalties, providing for disposition of auction proceeds from CO2 Budget Trading Program, for clean air fund accounts, for the Energy Communities Trust Fund and for Environmental Justice Communities Trust Fund [Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) Funding Program]” Referred to ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY [House] (July 20, 2021).

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE

Federal Executive Agencies (Federal Register July 19–23, 2021):

Agriculture Department

86 FR 37987 Notice—Comment Period: “Identifying Barriers in USDA Programs and Services; Advancing Racial Justice and Equity and Support for Underserved Communities at USDA” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38264 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Forest Service: Qualified Product List for Wild Land Fire Chemicals]” (July 20, 2021).

86 FR 38265 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Conditions for Payment of Avian Influenza Indemnity Claims]” (July 20, 2021).

Agricultural Marketing Service

86 FR 38590 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Blueberry Promotion, Research and Information Order; Change in Membership, Nomination Procedures and Term of Office” (July 22, 2021).

Agricultural Research Service

86 FR 38970 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Intent To Renew an Information Collection” (July 23, 2021).

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

86 FR 37989 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; National Poultry Improvement Plan” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 37987 Notice: “Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for the Release of Ramularia crupinae for Biological Control of Common Crupina (Crupina vulgaris) in the Contiguous United States” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 37988 Notice—Comment Period: “Movement of Organisms Modified or Produced Through Genetic Engineering; Notice of Exemptions” (July 19, 2021).

Delaware River Basin Commission

86 FR 38325 Notice: “Notice of Public Hearing and Business Meeting; August 11 and September 9, 2021” (July 20, 2021).

Environmental Protection Agency

86 FR 38339 Notice: “Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations” (July 20, 2021).

Farm Service Agency

86 FR 37990 Notice: “Notice of Funds Availability; Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP)” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38970 Notice: “Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA); Pandemic Assistance for Timber Harvesters and Haulers Program (PATHH)” (July 23, 2021).

Federal Aviation Administration

86 FR 38177 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Agricultural Aircraft Operations (Formerly ‘Agricultural Aircraft Operator Certificate Application’)” (July 19, 2021).

Fish and Wildlife Service

86 FR 38246 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Northern Spotted Owl” (July 20, 2021).

86 FR 38349 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Administration of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Investigational New Animal Drug (INAD) Program” (July 20, 2021).

86 FR 38354 Notice—Comment Period: “Economic Analysis for Proposed Regulations Governing the Take of Migratory Birds” (July 20, 2021).

86 FR 38572 Final Rule: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing Textual Descriptions of Critical Habitat Boundaries for Plants” (July 22, 2021).

86 FR 38570 Final Rule: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision of the Critical Habitat Designation for the Jaguar in Compliance With a Court Order” (July 22, 2021).

Food and Drug Administration

86 FR 39028 Notice: “Animal Generic Drug User Fee Rates and Payment Procedures for Fiscal Year 2022” (July 23, 2021).

Food and Nutrition Service

86 FR 38974 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request-Summer Food Service Program” (July 23, 2021).

Food Safety and Inspection Service

86 FR 37995 Notice: “Availability of Two Revised Guidelines for Minimizing the Risk of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia Coli (STEC) in Beef Slaughter and Processing Operations” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 37994 Notice: “Response to the Office of Inspector General’s Recommendations on the Rulemaking Process for the Proposed Rule Modernization of Swine Slaughter Inspection” (July 19, 2021).

Forest Service

86 FR 38006 Notice: “Alabama Resource Advisory Committee” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38005 Notice: “Fishlake Resource Advisory Committee” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38003 Notice:  “Modoc County Resource Advisory Committee” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38005 Notice: “Shasta County Resource Advisory Committee” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38004 Notice: “Siskiyou County Resource Advisory Committee” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38004 Notice: “Trinity County Resource Advisory Committee” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38265 Notice—Comment Period: “Information Collection: Forest Service Pilot and Aircraft Record Forms” (July 20, 2021).

86 FR 38266 Notice—Comment Period: “Information Collection; Timber Sale Contract Operations and Administration” (July 20, 2021).

International Trade Administration

86 FR 38010 Notice: Comments accepted: “Quarterly Update to Annual Listing of Foreign Government Subsidies on Articles of Cheese Subject to an In-Quota Rate of Duty” (July 19, 2021).

National Agricultural Statistics Service

86 FR 38268 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Revise and Extend a Currently Approved Information Collection” (July 20, 2021).

Small Business Administration

86 FR 38174 Notice: “Presidential Declaration Amendment of a Major Disaster for the State of Kentucky” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38174 Notice: “Presidential Declaration Amendment of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Louisiana” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38525 Notice: “Administrative Declaration of a Disaster for the State of Illinois” (July 21, 2021).

86 FR 38525 Notice: “Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for the State of Michigan” (July 21, 2021).

Susquehanna River Basin Commission

86 FR 38175 Notice: “Grandfathering (GF) Registration Notice” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38175 Notice: “Projects Approved for Consumptive Uses of Water” (July 19, 2021).

86 FR 38176 Notice—Comment Period: “Public Hearing [August 12, 2021]” (July 19, 2021).

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

86 FR 38554 Rule: “Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Mexico” (July 22, 2021).

86 FR 38556 Rule: “Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Canada” (July 22, 2021).

U.S. House Agriculture Committee      

H.R.4541 “To amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to provide clarification with respect to certain categorical exclusion authority relating to insect and disease infestation and wildfire resilience projects, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Natural Resources (July 19, 2021).

H.Res.542 “Expressing support for the designation of July 2021 as ‘American Grown Flower and Foliage Month’” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (July 20, 2021).

H.R.3954 “Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management (July 20, 2021).

H.R.4140 “Butcher Block Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (July 20, 2021).

H.R.4552 “To establish a Department of Agriculture loan program to support mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities for veterans of the Armed Forces to become farmers or ranchers.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (July 20, 2021).

H.R.4569 “To require that only two alternatives be considered with respect to certain proposed collaborative forest management activities, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (July 20, 2021).

H.R.4573 “To establish a categorical exclusion to improve or restore National Forest System land or public land or reduce the risk of wildfire, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (July 20, 2021).

H.R.4574 “To expedite certain activities related to salvage operations and reforestation activities on National Forest System lands or public lands in response to catastrophic events, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (July 20, 2021).

H.R.4579 “To establish an arbitration process pilot program as an alternative dispute resolution process for certain objections or protests to qualified forest management activities, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (July 20, 2021).

H.R.4580 “To amend the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of 2004 to provide recovery payments to seasonal and perishable crop growers who experienced low prices caused by imports, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (July 20, 2021).

H.R.4584 “To establish a categorical exclusion for certain forest management activities relating to early successional forests and a categorical exclusion for certain activities relating to outdoor recreation, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (July 20, 2021).

H.R.3115 “Universal School Meals Program Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations (July 22, 2021).

H.R.4162 “Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Improvement Act of 2021b” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (July 22, 2021).

H.R.4180 “Keeping Pets and Families Together Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture (July 22, 2021).

H.R.4614 “To expedite under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and improve forest management activities on National Forest System lands, on public lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, and on Tribal lands to return resilience to overgrown, fire-prone forested lands, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (July 22, 2021).

H.R.4623 “To establish a categorical exclusion for forest management activities carried out by the Secretary of Agriculture jointly with another Federal agency if such forest management activities received a categorical exclusion with respect to such other Federal agency, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (July 22, 2021).

H.R.4664 “To amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to establish emergency fireshed management areas, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (July 22, 2021).

U.S. Senate Committee Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry:     

S.2388 “A bill to require the designation of composting as a conservation practice and activity, to provide grants and loan guarantees for composting facilities and programs, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (July 20, 2021).

S.2437 “A bill to amend the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to expedite hazardous fuel or insect and disease risk reduction projects on certain National Forest System land, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (July 22, 2021).

S.2440 “A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convene a blue ribbon panel to review the forest inventory and analysis program of the Forest Service, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (July 22, 2021).

S.2462 “A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to extend the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to include the oversight of markets that set or report reference prices for aluminum premiums, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (July 22, 2021).

Connect with the Center on Facebook or on Twitter @AgShaleLaw

Top #AgLaw HotLinks July 19–23, 2021.   

CBF Issues a Statement on the June Dead Zone Assessment, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Kansas City Fed: Outlook for Ag Economy in 2021 Remains Strong, University of Illinois Farm Policy News

NCGA CEO Says Ag Has Transitioned from Climate Change Skepticism, Brownfield

Learning to Love G.M.O.s, New York Times Magazine

China Has a Massive Appetite for Dairy, Brownfield

Ice Cream: A Pandemic Trend That’s Sticking, Brownfield

Ag Labor Hearing Dissects Immigration Issues in the Food Supply Chain, Brownfield

Why the CEO of Impossible Foods Thinks He Can Eliminate All Animal-Based Meat in 15 Years, Washington Post

How Well Do Consumers Understand Their Dairy Purchases?, Feedstuffs

Congress Hones In on How to Expand Rural Broadband, Feedstuffs

Subscribe to the Pennsylvania Farm Employers’ Listserv (PFEL), an email networking and resource-sharing group about human resources topics exclusively for agricultural operations and producers, by sending an email with “subscribe” in the subject line to pfel-subscribe-request@lists.psu.edu.

Written by: 
Audry Thompson—Research Assistant
Brook Duer—Staff Attorney