Agricultural Law Weekly Review – Week Ending June 11, 2021

WOTUS: EPA Requests Remand and Announces Intent to Rewrite WOTUS Definition 🌾
On June 9, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) filed a motion in litigation pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts requesting the remand without vacatur of the agency’s April 2020 Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR) (85 FR 22250), defining “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act, for the express reason that EPA plans to attempt another re-write of the WOTUS definition. Conservation Law Foundation v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, No. 1:20-cv-10820.  According to EPA’s accompanying memorandum, the agency intends to begin a new notice-and-comment rulemaking process to replace or revise the WOTUS definition.  EPA states that after reviewing the rule in accordance with the President’s January 20, 2021 executive order (E.O. 13990) (86 FR 7037), it has “determined that the rule is significantly reducing clean water protections.”

COVID-19: Federal Court Issues Temporary Restraining Order Against USDA Loan Forgiveness for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
On June 10, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin issued an order granting a temporary restraining order against USDA forgiving direct and guaranteed loans made to socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers under the authority to do so contained in the American Rescue Plan Act, Section 1005 (86 FR 28329).  Faust v. Vilsack, No. 1:21-cv-00548.  The case, brought by twelve white farmers/ranchers, alleged that the loan forgiveness program violated the equal protection clause of the Constitution because eligibility to participate in the program is based solely on racial classifications.  For purposes of loan forgiveness under the program, USDA has defined socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher to include individuals who are one or more of the following: Black/African American, American Indian, Alaskan native, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, or Pacific Islander.  Noting that “a generalized assertion that there has been past discrimination in an entire industry” is insufficient to establish a compelling interest for a remedy based upon racial classifications, the court found that the plaintiffs were likely to prevail on their claim because USDA lacked a compelling interest and the agency had not shown that the loan program was narrowly tailored to meet that interest.  The court issued the temporary restraining order pending the court’s ruling on the plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction.

Pesticides/Herbicides: D.C. Circuit Court Vacates EPA’s Aldicarb Registration Decision
On June 7, 2021, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit entered an order granting vacatur against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) January 2021 approval of the pesticide aldicarb for use on oranges and grapefruit in Florida.  Farmworker Association of FL, et al v. EPA, No. 21-1079.  According to the order, EPA admitted that it failed to perform an Endangered Species Act (ESA) effect determination before approving aldicarb, in violation of the ESA.  The court noted that, vacatur would not result in material disruption because aldicarb has not been authorized for use on oranges and grapefruit in Florida for nearly a decade, adding that the Florida Department of Agriculture has declined to register the pesticide.

Food Labeling: California State Court Refuses to Dismiss Suit Requesting Processed Meats be Listed as Carcinogenic
On May 28, 2021, The Superior Court of California for the County of Sacramento issued a decision denying the defendant’s motion to dismiss for failure to state a cause of action and ordering that the case proceed, in Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, et al., v. Zeise, 34-2020-80003354, which seeks to compel “processed meats” to be added to the so-called Proposition 65 list of those chemicals or substances known to the State of California to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity.  Such a listing triggers a duty to so label products containing them.  California argued that there can be no duty to list “processed meats” because they are not a single chemical or single substance. The Court disagreed because California has added to the Proposition 65 list similar items such as “alcoholic beverages,” “salted fish—Chinese Style,” and “wood dust.”  The suit was commenced in 2020 in response to the 2015 World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer’s (IARC) classification of processed meats as carcinogenic and the 2018 IARC official evaluation of Red Meat and Processed Meat Carcinogenic Risks to Humans.

Biofuels: Seed Companies Apply to Clean Up Contaminated Nebraska Ethanol Plant Site
On June 10, 2021, a coalition of six seed companies (collectively known as the “AltEn Facility Response Group” and consisting of AgReliant Genetics, LLC; Bayer U.S., LLC; Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.; Corteva Agriscience, LLC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC; and WinField Solutions, LLC) applied to the Nebraska Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) to engage in environmental clean-up of the former AltEn ethanol manufacturing plant and appurtenant wastewater lagoons and waste piles located in Mead, Nebraska, now contaminated by waste products derived from the use of unused pesticide-treated seed as distiller’s grain.  The VCP, which allows private parties to remediate environmental contamination at no cost to taxpayers pursuant to a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) under the supervision of Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), maintains a webpage here on which relevant documents and updates will be posted as the application is processed and clean-up potentially commences.  Privately-owned off-site drinking well water test results released by NDEE on May 24 showed non-detectable levels of all compounds tested for. For more background, see ALWR for week ending May 7, 2021, “Pesticide-Treated Seed Waste Turns Nebraska Ethanol Plant Site Toxic.”

International Trade: U.S. International Trade Commission Continues Investigation into Honey Imports from Argentina, Brazil, India, Ukraine, and Vietnam
On June 4, 2021, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) announced that it will continue its antidumping duty investigation of raw honey imports from Argentina, Brazil, India, Ukraine, and Vietnam, initiated by the commission on May 12, 2021.  The commission determined that reasonable indication exists that the honey imports, purportedly sold below market value in the U.S., are materially injuring the U.S. honey industry.  According to import statistics listed by USITC, nearly $900 million of honey has been imported into the U.S. from the five countries since 2018.  USITC states that it will publish a report after July 6, 2021 on the commission’s findings and will issue a preliminary antidumping duty determination by September 28, 2021.

Food Labeling:  FDA Issues Final Rule Establishing a New Single Standard of Identity for Yogurt
On June 11, 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted in the Federal Register a final rule titled, “Milk and Cream Products and Yogurt Products; Final Rule to Revoke the Standards for Lowfat Yogurt and Nonfat Yogurt and To Amend the Standard for Yogurt” (86 FR 31117).  Also announced by the agency on June 9, 2021, the final rule revokes the separate standards of identify for lowfat and nonfat yogurt and establishes their parameters as “nutritionally modified versions” of a “traditional standardized food” under FDA’s § 130.10 general definition and standard of identity.  FDA issues this final rule more than a decade after publishing the proposed rule on January 15, 2009 (74 FR 2443).  The compliance date for the final rule is January 1, 2024.

COVID-19: USDA Announces $1 Billion in Emergency Food Assistance Program Purchases and Food Bank Infrastructure Grants
On June 4, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced $1 billion in funding for food purchases through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) sourced from the American Rescue Plan Act and the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act.  According to the announcement, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will purchase up to $900 million in local and domestically produced food for food bank networks through TEFAP and $100 million will be made available for food bank infrastructure grants, administered by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).  No detailed information has been yet released about the grant program.

Center for Agricultural and Shale Law Programs & Resources:

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

Webinar:

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Penn State News, Research & Resources:

Researchers Develop Prototype of Robotic Device to Pick, Trim Button Mushrooms (June 1, 2021).

Modifying The Mosaic: How Patterns in Traits Help Animals Adapt to Change (June 7, 2021).

Other Agricultural Law/Policy Resources of Interest:

Tiffany Lashmet, Talking Taxes: Capital Gains Tax (June 7, 2021).

Roger A. McEowen, Ag Law and Tax Potpourri (June 9, 2021).

Micah Brown, Considering Carbon: Overview of Carbon Market Composition (June 8, 2021).

Brigit Rollins, Recently Filed Lawsuit Claims that Swampbuster is Unconstitutional (June 10, 2021).

Sarah Everhart, Handle Pesticides Legally this Season (June 8, 2021).

NYU, Is the U.S. Understating Climate Emissions from Meat and Dairy Production?, (June 1, 2021).

Environmental Research Letters, Underestimates of methane from intensively raised animals could undermine goals of sustainable development (June 4, 2021).

Weekly Featured Graphics:

1. Virginia Mercury, As 2025 deadline for Chesapeake Bay cleanup looms, Virginia zeroes in on agriculture:

2. Farm Policy News (U. of Illinois), A Spike in Chinese Milk Demand

AGENCY PRESS RELEASES—STATE/FEDERAL

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Press Releases:

Wolf Administration: Farmers Market Nutrition Program Connects Hungry Seniors, Families With Pennsylvania Farmers (June 8, 2021).

Wolf Administration To Families: Kids Are The Future Of Pennsylvania Agriculture, Explore Hands-On Ag Opportunities This Summer (June 9, 2021).

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

U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Key Staff Appointments (June 7, 2021).

USDA to Invest More Than $4 Billion to Strengthen Food System (June 8, 2021).

FACT SHEET: Update on USDA Activities to Contain the COVID-19 Pandemic (June 9, 2021).

USDA Expands Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program for Meat Processors to 9 States with Addition of South Dakota (June 10, 2021).

USDA Launches Resource Guide to Help America’s Rural Workforce Build Back Better (June 10, 2021).

USDA to Begin Work to Strengthen Enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act (June 11, 2021).

USDA Agency Press Releases:

USDA Seeks Suggestions for Fiscal Year 2022 Plant Protection Act Section 7721 and National Clean Plant Network Program Projects, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (June 7, 2021).

APHIS Announces 2021 Open Period for Farm Bill Funding Opportunities Supporting Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Activities, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (June 8, 2021).

Open Letter from Animal Care’s Deputy Administrator to Stakeholders, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (June 10, 2021).

USDA Withdraws Proposed Rule on Categorical Eligibility in SNAP, Food and Nutrition Service (June 9, 2021).

Safe Food Now for a Healthy Tomorrow, Food Safety and Inspection Service (June 7, 2021).

USDA Expands Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program for Meat Processors to 9 States with Addition of South Dakota, Food Safety and Inspection Service (June 10, 2021).

Constituent Update – FSIS to Post Updated Dataset on Import Refusals, Food Safety and Inspection Service (June 11, 2021).

Forest Products Laboratory Announce Grants with U.S. Endowment for Forests and Communities, Forest Service (June 9, 2021).

Still Time to Respond to USDA’s National Agricultural Classification Survey, National Agricultural Statistics Service (June 8, 2021).

June Crop Production—Agricultural Statistics Board Briefing, National Agricultural Statistics Service (June 10, 2021).

NIFA Awards Over $19M in Scholarships for Undergraduates at 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (June 11, 2021).

USDA to Invest $41.8 Million in Conservation Assistance for Producers in Drought-Impacted States, Natural Resources Conservation Service (June 10, 2021).

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE

Pennsylvania Executive Agencies (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 51, No. 24—June 12, 2021):

Department of Environmental Protection

51 Pa.B. 3237 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. 3307 Notice: “Extension of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit for Discharges from Hydrostatic Testing of Tanks and Pipelines (PAG-10).”

51 Pa.B. 3308 Notice: “Federal Consistency under the Coastal Zone Management Act; Maintenance Dredging of the Delaware River Federal Navigation Channels.”

Game Commission

51 Pa.B. 3315 Notice: “Chronic Wasting Disease—Designation of Disease Management Areas and Endemic States and Canadian Provinces Order #9.”

Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority

51 Pa.B. 3324 Notice: “Environmental Assessment Approval for PENNVEST Funding Consideration.”

Pennsylvania Legislature

Legislation n Second Chamber:

HB 722 “[Increased Maximum Weight Limit for Electric-Powered Trucks] An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in size, weight and load, further providing for maximum gross weight of vehicles.” Referred to Transportation [Senate] (June 9, 2021).

SB 434 “An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in food protection, providing for milk sell by date and best by date labeling.” Laid on the table [House] (June 9, 2021).

House Legislation:

HB 1559 “[Permit Reform for Agricultural Transportation] An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in fees, further providing for annual hauling permits; and, in size, weight and load, further providing for conditions of permits and security for damages and providing for permit for movement of commercial implements of husbandry, implements of husbandry and farm equipment by manufacturers and dealers.” Referred to Transportation [House] (June 7, 2021).

HB 1568 “[Allowing Wind Energy on Farmland Preservation] An Act amending the act of June 30, 1981 (P.L.128, No.43), known as the Agricultural Area Security Law, further providing for definitions and for purchase of agricultural conservation easements.” Referred to Agriculture and Rural Affairs [House] (June 7, 2021).

HB 1569 “[Lake Erie Wind Energy Development Act] An Act authorizing the Department of General Services to lease submerged lands within Erie County for the assessment, development, construction and operation of utility scale offshore wind or solar energy generation facilities; providing for collection of royalty payments; establishing the Lake Erie Large-Scale Energy System Development Fund; and providing for distributions and transfers from the fund.” Referred to Environmental Resources and Energy [House] (June 7, 2021).

HB 637 “An Act authorizing the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a public comment process on and submit to the General Assembly a measure or action intended to abate, control or limit carbon dioxide emissions by imposing a revenue-generating tax or fee on carbon dioxide emissions.” Re-committed to Rules [House] (June 8, 2021).

HB 1232 “An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in general provisions, further providing for definitions; in fees, further providing for annual hauling permits; and, in size, weight and load, further providing for conditions of permits and security for damages and providing for permit for movement of agricultural liming material, agricultural seed or fertilizer.” Re-committed to Rules [House] (June 8, 2021).

HB 1006 “[Crop Insurance—Taxable Income] An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, further providing for classes of income.” Re-committed to Rules [House] (June 9, 2021).

Senate Legislation:

SB 743 “An Act establishing the Landslide Insurance and Assistance Program within the Department of Environmental Protection; providing for related powers and duties of the Department of Environmental Protection; establishing and providing for the powers and duties of the Landslide Insurance and Assistance Board; providing for duties of the Auditor General; establishing the Landslide Insurance Fund and the Landslide Assistance Fund; imposing a penalty; and making appropriations.” Referred to Environmental Resources and Energy [Senate] (June 7, 2021).

SB 465 “An Act providing for the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program and imposing powers and duties on the State Conservation Commission.” First consideration [Senate] (June 7, 2021).

SB 368 “[COVID-19 Small Business Tax Relief Package] An Act amending . . . the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, providing for small businesses.” First consideration [Senate] (June 8, 2021).

SB 465 “An Act providing for the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program and imposing powers and duties on the State Conservation Commission.” Re-referred to Appropriations [Senate] (June 8, 2021).

SB 725 “[Exemption for Farmers from CDL Requirements] An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in licensing of drivers, further providing for classes of licenses; and in commercial drivers, further providing for requirement for commercial driver’s license.” First consideration [Senate] (June 8, 2021).

SB 736 “An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in registration of vehicles, further providing for use of farm vehicle plates [‘Streamlining the Home Delivery of Agricultural Products’].” Re-referred to Appropriations [Senate] (June 9, 2021).

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE

Federal Executive Agencies (Federal Register June 7–11, 2021):

Agriculture Department

86 FR 30250 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Food and Nutrition Service: Best Practices in Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) Operations and Planning]” (June 7, 2021).

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

86 FR 30250 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Emergency Management Response System” (June 7, 2021).

Environmental Protection Agency

86 FR 30460 Notice: “Cryolite and Propazine; Product Cancellation Order for Certain Pesticide Registrations” (June 8, 2021).

Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation

86 FR 30935 Notice: “Regular Meeting; Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation Board [June 17, 2021]” (June 10, 2021).

Federal Communications Commission

86 FR 30599 Notice: “Federal Advisory Committee Act; Task Force for Reviewing the Connectivity and Technology Needs of Precision Agriculture in the United States” (June 9, 2021).

Federal Emergency Management Agency

86 FR 30976 Notice: “Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations [Ariz., Colo., Fla., Ga., N.C., S.C., Tex.]” (June 10, 2021).

86 FR 30970 Notice: “Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations [Ariz., Cal., Colo., Idaho, Ill., Kan., Nev., Ohio, Or., Wash., Wis.]” (June 10, 2021).

86 FR 30969 Notice—Comment Period: “Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations [Georgia]” (June 10, 2021).

86 FR 30974 Notice—Comment Period: “Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations [Cal., Iowa, Kan., Minn., Ohio]” (June 10, 2021).

86 FR 30978 Notice—Comment Period: “Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations [Georgia]” (June 10, 2021).

Fish and Wildlife Service

86 FR 30688 Final Rule: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Neuse River Waterdog, Endangered Species Status for Carolina Madtom, and Designations of Critical Habitat” (June 9, 2021).

86 FR 30888 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designating Texas Hornshell Critical Habitat” (June 10, 2021).

86 FR 31332 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Online Eastern Population Sandhill Crane Survey Data Entry Portal” (June 11, 2021).

86 FR 31336 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Urban Bird Treaty Program Requirements” (June 11, 2021).

86 FR 31334 Notice—Comment Period: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Cirsium scariosum var. loncholepis (La Graciosa thistle)” (June 11, 2021).

Food and Drug Administration

86 FR 30941 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy Survey” (June 10, 2021).

86 FR 31327 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Regulations Under the Federal Import Milk Act” (June 11, 2021).

86 FR 31117 Final Rule, comments accepted: “Milk and Cream Products and Yogurt Products; Final Rule To Revoke the Standards for Lowfat Yogurt and Nonfat Yogurt and To Amend the Standard for Yogurt” (June 111, 2021).

Food and Nutrition Service

86 FR 30795 Proposed Rule: “Revision of Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); Withdrawal” (June 10, 2021).

86 FR 30910 Notice—Comment Period: “Agency Information Collection Activities: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Forms: Applications, Periodic Reporting, and Notices” (June 10, 2021).

Forest Service

86 FR 30251 Notice—Comment Period: “Information Collection; Community Forest and Open Space Program” (June 7, 2021).

86 FR 30911 Notice: “Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Advisory Committee” (June 10, 2021).

Internal Revenue Service

86 FR 31146 Rule: “Mandatory 60-Day Postponement of Certain Tax-Related Deadlines by Reason of a Federally Declared Disaster” (June 11, 2021).

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

86 FR 30499 Notice: “Deep Space Food Challenge Phase 1 Extended Deadline” (June 8, 2021).

Rural Business-Cooperative Service

86 FR 31266 Notice—Comment Period: “Inviting Applications for Rural Cooperative Development Grants” (June 11, 2021).

Rural Utilities Service:

86 FR 30912 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Request for Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection [Advance of Loan Funds and Budgetary Control and Other Related Burdens]” (June 10, 2021).

Small Business Administration

86 FR 30510 Notice: “Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for the State of Louisiana [Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding]” (June 8, 2021).

86 FR 31002 Notice: “National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board [July 28, 2021]” (June 10, 2021).

U.S. House Agriculture Committee

H.R.2176 “Ensuring Access to Domestic Mineral Production Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (June 7, 2021).

H.R.2361 “Rebuild Rural America Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (June 7, 2021).

H.R.2400 “Community Broadband Mapping Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (June 7, 2021).

H.R.2468 “Made in America Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit (June 7, 2021).

H.R.2477 “Urban Forests Act of 2021” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (June 7, 2021).

H.R.3113 “To require the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works to digitize and make publicly available geographic information system mapping data relating to public access to Federal land and waters for outdoor recreation, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife (June 7, 2021).

H.R.3670 “To improve access for outdoor recreation through the use of special recreation permits on Federal recreational lands and waters, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands (June 7, 2021).

H.R.3687 “Environmental Justice in Recreation Permitting Act” Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands (June 7, 2021).

H.R.3766 “To amend the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, to establish a cattle contract library, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (June 8, 2021).

H.R.3782 “To provide loan forgiveness for certain borrowers of Department of Agriculture direct farm loans, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Ways and Means (June 8, 2021).

H.R.3784 “To promote scientific research and development opportunities for connected technologies that advance precision agriculture capabilities.” Referred to the Committees on Agriculture and Science, Space, and Technology (June 8, 2021).

H.R.3790 “To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to guarantee investments that will open new markets for forest owners in rural areas of the United States, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (June 8, 2021).

H.R.3794 “To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to track the distribution of all farm subsidies by race, gender, and size of the farm operation and to make such information about farm subsidies available to the public.” Referred to the Committees on Agriculture and Financial Services (June 8, 2021).

H.R.3822 “To eliminate asset limits employed by certain federally funded means-tested public assistance programs, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Labor (June 11, 2021).

H.R.3835 “To amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to exempt from inspection the slaughter of animals and the preparation of carcasses conducted at a custom slaughter facility, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (June 11, 2021).

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

S.1980 “A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to track the distribution of all farm subsidies by race, gender, and size of the farm operation and to make that information about farm subsidies available to the public, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (June 8, 2021).

S.2001 “A bill to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act to exempt from inspection the slaughter of animals and the preparation of carcasses conducted at a custom slaughter facility, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (June 10, 2021).

S.2005 “A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to require alternative options for summer food service program delivery.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (June 10, 2021).

S.2036 “A bill to amend the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, to establish the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (June 10, 2021).

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Top #AgLaw HotLinks  June 7–11, 2021

Redding Highlights Investments to Build Urban Food Sovereignty, Morning Ag Clips

Cargill Plans U.S. Plant to Process Corn to Replace Chemicals, Reuters

Canada’s BSE Risk Upgrade Could Benefit U.S. Beef Industry, Brownfield

Cyberattack on Food Supply Followed Years of Warnings, Politico

African Swine Fever Vaccine Could be on the Market Next Year, Brownfield

Global Food Prices Rise at Rapid Pace in May, FAO

Cattle Industry Has Washington’s Attention, Brownfield

Dozens of Texas Vineyards File Suit Against Bayer, BASF, Allege Widespread Damage by Weedkiller, St. Louis Post Dispatch

Bill and Melinda Gates’ Foothold on Farmland, Farm and Dairy

Union Considers Strike at Meat Plant that was Virus Hotspot, ABC News

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