Agricultural Law Weekly Review—Week Ending March 12, 2021  

COVID-19: $1.9 Trillion American Rescue Plan Act Includes $10.4 Billion for Agriculture 🌾
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law H.R. 1319, known as the “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021,” which appropriates approximately $1.9 trillion for various COVID-19 relief funding and authorizes multiple statutory initiatives and programs, including approximately $10.4 billion in aid and assistance to agriculture in various forms.  USDA has published a fact sheet on the law and its highlights, including allocation of $4 billion for debt relief for socially disadvantaged farmers and approximately $1 billion to create a racial equity commission, address longstanding discrimination across USDA programs and for other assistance to socially disadvantaged farmers.  American Farm Bureau Federation Chief Economist John Newton also has authored a summary available here.

COVID-19: Federal Court Dismisses Meatpacking Plant Public Nuisance Suit
On March 1, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska issued an order dismissing for lack of standing a suit brought by three former employees and a local doctor against Noah’s Ark Processors, LLC alleging public nuisance and other theories arising from its operation of a meat processing facility in Hastings, Nebraska.  Alma v. Noah’s Ark Processors, LLC, No. 4:20-cv-03141-JMG-CRZ.  The complaint alleged the company failed to take efforts to protect its employees and the community from COVID-19 and the plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief only, as opposed to compensatory damages for past conduct.  The Court held that the plaintiffs lacked standing to request such remedies and characterized the plaintiffs’ alleged injuries — that the occurrence of another potential COVID-19 outbreak at Noah’s Ark could endanger them and affect the community — as neither concrete, particularized, actual nor imminent and stated that the risk claimed by the plaintiffs of contracting COVID-19 as community members come from an incalculable number of other sources.

Pesticides/Herbicides: EPA Acknowledges Political Interference in 2018 Dicamba Registrations
On March 10, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) Acting Assistant Administrator Michal Freedhoff issued an internal email affirming the agency’s commitment to scientific integrity and enumerating past instances in which “political interference” had “compromised the integrity” of the agency’s science.  Specifically, the email noted that in approving three dicamba product registrations in 2018, OCSPP senior leadership directed career staff to  rely on a limited data set, discount specific studies (some with more robust data) and discount scientific information on negative impacts.  The email acknowledges that these deficiencies contributed to the Ninth Circuit’s invalidation of the 2018 registrations, which “impacted growers’ ability to use [the] product[s].”  For background, see Agricultural Law in the Spotlight—June 4, 2020, “U.S. Appeals Court Invalidates FIFRA Registrations of Dicamba Products XtendiMax, Engenia and FeXapan.”  On March 15, 2021, the internal email was first made public in a news article on the Progressive Farmer website.

Industrial Hemp: After White House Review, Final Hemp Rule Proceeds as Published Effective March 22, 2021
On March 8, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) issued an announcement stating that it had completed its review of the January 19, 2021 Final Rule, “Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program” (86 FR 5596), as per the January 28, 2021, White House Memorandum titled “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,” (86 FR 7424).  According to the announcement, the final rule will move ahead as published with its original effective date of March 22, 2021.  For background, see ALWR—week ending January 22, 2021,“USDA Publishes Final Hemp Rule.”

Invasive Species: Pennsylvania’s Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Order Adds Eight Counties
On March 13, 2021, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) published a revised Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Order (51 Pa.B. 1346) adding eight Pennsylvania counties to the twenty-six counties already under quarantine restrictions (Cambria, Cameron, Franklin, Lackawanna, Montour, Pike, Wayne, and Westmoreland), effective March 13, 2021.   Additionally, on March 10, 2021, PDA announced in anticipation of the 2021 spring hatch that it now possesses the nation’s first dog trained to detect Spotted Lanternfly egg masses.  Her name is Lucky and she was trained by the University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine’s Working Dog Center.

COVID-19: USDA Seeks Comment, Will Host Listening Session on Utilization of $1.5 Billion Appropriation
On March 8, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced that it seeks public comment on the development, coordination and implementation of grant programs authorized by the $1.5 billion appropriation contained in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act to: (a) purchase food and agricultural products to distribute to individuals in need; (b) for grants and loans to small or midsized food processors or distributors, farmers markets, producers, or other organizations to respond to coronavirus; and (c) measures to protect workers against COVID–19.  Comments may be submitted by email or through an on-line comment portal until March 31, 2021.  Additionally, AMS will host a listening session on March 19, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. to hear public input on these topics.  The public is invited to register to provide oral comments during the session.

COVID-19:  Pennsylvania Designates Vaccine for Food and Agricultural Workers Ahead of Schedule
On March 11, 2021, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force announced that grocery, food and agricultural workers, individuals who are part of Phase 1B of the vaccination roll-out, have been added to the list of frontline workers who have been prioritized by an “Expanded Special Initiative” and made eligible to receive the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine when it becomes available, likely after April 1, 2021. Pennsylvania is presently not yet completed with vaccine administration to Phase 1A individuals but has begun providing for certain designated frontline workers who are part of Phase 1B to receive the new Johnson & Johnson vaccine as it becomes available. The description of those made specially eligible are:

• All workers in supermarkets and grocery stores are eligible under this initiative. This does not include workers from super centers, convenience stores, general retail with some smaller footprint for food sales, beverage stores, and farmer’s markets.
• Food and Agriculture: All food processing company employees, including meat, poultry, and dairy processing, fresh fruit and vegetable packing operations, and food manufacturing. All farmworkers, farm operators, and farm managers, including at urban agriculture operations.

Participate in PASA Sustainable Agriculture’s 15-minute Survey on the Impact of COVID-19 on Pennsylvania Farmers

Participate in Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development’s 2020 Farm Employee Compensation Benchmark Survey:  According to Cornell, producers who participate can compare their compensation to other farm businesses and make better compensation plans.  The process takes about 10 minutes per employee, is entirely confidential and each participant will receive a report of the results and an invitation to attend a webinar discussion of the findings. Only aggregate data, with no way to identify farms or individuals, will be published or shared.

Penn State Agricultural Law Podcast: Listen to the latest episode of our weekly podcast here. 

Upcoming Webinars

Conversations with the Professionals: Ag Succession and Transition Planning with an Ag Attorney, Penn State Extension, March 23, 2021 at 9:00 am ET.

All Matters FDA: 11th Annual Food and Drug Law Symposium, Widener-Delaware Law, March 24, 2021 at 1:00 pm ET.

Land Access Series: Find, Lease, and Purchase Land in Pennsylvania, Penn State Extension, March 29, 2021–April 1, 2021, four consecutive nights at 6:00 pm ET; April 8, 2021 at 6:00 pm ET

Conversations with the Professionals: Ag Succession and Transition Planning with an Ag Accountant, Penn State Extension, April 27, 2021 at 9:00 am ET.  

Penn State Research & News:

Apparent Atlantic Warming Cycle Likely an Artifact of Climate Forcing (Mar. 4, 2021).

Farmland Acreage Falls in Pa. While Population Rises in Prime Agricultural Areas (Mar. 9, 2021)

Where The Soybeans Grow: An Exploration of Agricultural Land Use in Pennsylvania, 2017 (March 2021).

Agricultural Law/Policy Resources of Interest: 

Roger A. McEowen, Cross-Collateralization Clauses – Tough Lessons For Lenders (Mar. 2, 2021).

Brigit Rollins, The Clean Water Act, the Corps, & Section 404 (Mar. 4, 2021).

Roger A. McEowen, Selling Farm Business Assets – Special Tax Treatment (Part One) (Mar. 7, 2021).

Micah Brown, Lending for Livestock, Credit for Crops: UCC Agricultural Liens (Mar. 9, 2021).

Nicole Cook, You Should Still be Using Best Efforts to Protect Your Farm Workers From COVID (Mar. 9, 2021).

Weekly Featured Graphic:

AGENCY PRESS RELEASES—STATE/FEDERAL

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Press Releases:

Department of Agriculture Adds 8 Counties to Pennsylvania’s Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine, Highlights New Weapon to Sniff Out Pest (Mar. 10, 2021).

Department of Agriculture Releases COVID-19 Restaurant Enforcement Actions, Mar. 1– Mar. 7, 2021 (Mar. 10, 2021).

Ag Secretary, Philadelphia Shelter Manager Caution of Infectious Disease Threats to Humans and Dogs (Mar. 11, 2021).

Wolf Administration Officials Commend USDA On Proactive Action To Ensure School-Aged Children Access To Food Through Summer (Mar. 11, 2021).

Secretary of Agriculture Highlights Proposed $42.6 Million Investment in Animal Health, Food Security (Mar. 12, 2021).

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

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Senate Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (Mar. 6, 2021).

USDA Invests $285 Million to Improve National Forest and Grassland Infrastructure (Mar. 8, 2021).

USDA Extends Free Meals to Children through Summer 2021 Due to Pandemic (Mar. 9, 2021).

FACT SHEET: United States Department of Agriculture Provisions in H.R. 1319, the American Rescue Plan (Mar. 10, 2021).

Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Congressional Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act (Mar. 10, 2021).

FACT SHEET: Update on USDA Activities to Contain the COVID-19 Pandemic (Mar. 10, 2021).

USDA Agency Press Releases:

USDA Seeks Nominees for the Popcorn Board, AMS (Mar. 9, 2021).

USDA Revises U.S. Standards for Frozen Corn on the Cob, AMS (Mar. 9, 2021).

USDA Seeks Nominees for the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, AMS (Mar. 10, 2021).

USDA Proposes Revising U.S. Standards for Watermelon, AMS (Mar. 11, 2021).

USDA Partners with Puerto Rico Dept. of Agriculture to Eradicate Cattle Ticks, ARS (Mar. 11, 2021).

USDA Wildlife Services Shares Reports on Wildlife Hazards to Aviation, APHIS (Mar. 12, 2021).

March 15 Deadline to Complete Election & Enrollment for 2021 Agriculture Risk Coverage, Price Loss Coverage Programs, FSA (Mar. 12, 2021).

USDA Invests $285 Million to Improve National Forest and Grassland Infrastructure, Forest Service (Mar. 8, 2021).

NASA Data Powers New USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Soil Moisture Portal, NASS (Mar. 8, 2021).

USDA Announces More Than $9 Million to Address Critical Water Resources Issues, NIFA (Mar. 12, 2021).

USDA Seeks Public Comment on Revised Conservation Practice Standards, NRCS (Mar. 8, 2021).

USDA Offers Conservation Stewardship Program Participants Renewal Options for Contracts Set to Close, NRCS (Mar. 12, 2021).

Application Deadline for REAP Program is Near, Rural Dev. (Mar. 8, 2021).

STATE ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE

Pennsylvania Executive Agencies (Pa. Bulletin Vol. 51, No. 11—Mar. 13, 2021): 

Department of Agriculture

51 Pa.B. 1346 Notice: “Order of Quarantine and Treatment: Spotted Lanternfly.”

51 Pa.B. 1351 Notice: “Referendum Order on Continuation of the Pennsylvania Potato Research Program.”

Game Commission

51 Pa.B. 1341 Proposed Rulemaking: “Hunting and Furtaker Licenses; Antlerless Deer Licenses.”

51 Pa.B. 1343 Proposed Rulemaking: “Hunting and Furtaker Licenses; General.”

51 Pa.B. 1338 Proposed Rulemaking: “Hunting and Trapping; Big Game.”

51 Pa.B. 1339 Proposed Rulemaking: “Hunting and Trapping; General.”

51 Pa.B. 1328 Proposed Rulemaking: “Seasons and Bag Limits.”

51 Pa.B. 1336 Proposed Rulemaking: “Seasons and Bag Limits; Elk Management Area and Hunt Zones; Hunting and Furtaker Licenses; Elk Licenses.”

51 Pa.B. 1345 Proposed Rulemaking: “Special Permits; Deer Control.”

51 Pa.B. 1313 Rules and Regulations: “Wildlife; Diseases.”

Milk Marketing Board

51 Pa.B. 1437 Notice: “Special Sunshine Virtual Meeting [Mar. 16, 2021].”

Pennsylvania Legislature

House Legislation

HB 835 “An Act amending . . . the Taxpayer Relief Act, providing for 100% homestead and farmstead exclusion and establishing the 100% Homestead and Farmstead Exclusion Account.” Referred to Finance [House] (Mar. 8, 2021).

HB 840 “An Act amending Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in food protection, further providing for license required [‘Waiving 2021 Restaurant License Renewal Fees’].” Referred to Agriculture and Rural Affairs [House] (Mar. 9, 2021).

Senate Legislation

SB 325 “An Act amending . . . the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for exclusions from tax [‘Preserving the Sales Tax Exemption for Multi-Purpose Agriculture Vehicles’].” Referred to Finance [Senate] (Mar. 10, 2021).

SB 343 “An Act amending . . . the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in sales and use tax, further providing for definitions [‘Clarification of Sales Tax Exemption for Cervidae Livestock’].” Referred to Finance [Senate] (Mar. 10, 2021).

1. Res. 38 “A Resolution recognizing the importance of maple producers and the maple production industry in Pennsylvania.” Referred to Rules and Executive Nominations [Senate] (Mar. 10, 2021).

SB 352 “An Act amending . . . The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, further providing for definitions [‘Removing Industrial Hemp from PA’s Schedule of Controlled Substances’].” Referred to Judiciary [Senate] (Mar. 12, 2021).

FEDERAL ACTIONS—EXECUTIVE/LEGISLATIVE

Federal Executive Agencies (Federal Register Mar. 8–12, 2021): 

Agriculture Department

86 FR 13519 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Food Safety and Inspection Service: Common or Usual Name for Raw Meat and Poultry Products Containing Added Solutions]” (Mar. 9, 2021).

86 FR 13520 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Food and Nutrition Service: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Repayment Demand and Program Disqualification]” (Mar. 9, 2021).

86 FR 13875 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Foot-and-Mouth Disease; Prohibition on Importation of Farm Equipment]” (Mar. 11, 2021).

86 FR 14069 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Rural Utilities Service: Technical Assistance and Training and Training for Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions (TAT/RWTS) Pilot Grant Program]” (Mar. 12, 2021).

86 FR 14069 Notice: “Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request [Risk Management Agency: Standard Reinsurance Agreement]” (Mar. 12, 2021).

Agricultural Marketing Service

86 FR 13519 Notice: “United States Standards for Grades of Frozen Corn on the Cob” (Mar. 9, 2021).

86 FR 13874 Notice—Comment Period: “Revision of U.S. Standards for Grades of Watermelons” (Mar. 11, 2021).

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

86 FR 13221 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Regulation of the Movement of Animals Modified or Developed by Genetic Engineering” (Mar. 8, 2021).

Environmental Protection Agency

86 FR 13196 Final Rule, comment accepted: “Quizalofop ethyl; Pesticide Tolerances” (Mar. 8, 2021).

86 FR 13366 Notice—Comment Period: “Pesticide Registration Review; Draft Human Health and/or Ecological Risk Assessments for Several Pesticides; Notice of Availability” (Mar. 8, 2021).

86 FR 13459 Final Rule, Comment accepted: “Fluindapyr; Pesticide Tolerances” (Mar. 9, 2021).

Federal Emergency Management Agency

86 FR 13725 Notice: “Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations [Ala., Ariz., Colo., Conn., Fla, Ga., N.C., Penn., S.C., Tex., Va.]” (Mar. 10, 2021).

86 FR 13728 Notice: “Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations [Ariz., Ill., Ind., Kan., Mich., Mo., Wash., Wisc.]” (Mar. 10, 2021).

86 FR 14138 Notice: “Final Flood Hazard Determinations [Ariz., Ill., Iowa, Miss.]” (Mar. 12, 2021).

86 FR 14141 Notice: “Changes in Flood Hazard Determinations [Ala., Colo., Conn., Fla., Ga., Me., N.C., Pa., Tenn., Tex., Va.]” (Mar. 12, 2021).

86 FR 14133 Notice—Comment Period: “Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations [Mass.]” (Mar. 12, 2021).

86 FR 14135 Notice—Comment Period: “Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations [Ark., Colo., Fla., Tex.]” (Mar. 12, 2021).

86 FR 14140 Notice—Comment Period: “Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations [Pa.]” (Mar. 12, 2021).

Fish and Wildlife Service

86 FR 13200 Final Rule: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing Bradshaw’s Lomatium (Lomatium bradshawii) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants” (Mar. 8, 2021).

86 FR 13465 Final Rule: “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for the Missouri Distinct Population Segment of Eastern Hellbender” (Mar. 9, 2021).

Forest Service

86 FR 13520 Notice—Comment Period: “Information Collection; National Woodland Owner Survey” (Mar. 9, 2021).

National Agricultural Statistics Service

86 FR 13279 Notice—Comment Period: “Notice of Intent to Seek Approval to Reinstate an Information Collection” (Mar. 8, 2021).

Natural Resources Conservation Service

86 FR 13522 Notice—Comment Period: “Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service” (Mar. 9, 2021).

Small Business Administration

86 FR 13149 Interim Final Rule, Comments accepted: “Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program-Revisions to Loan Amount Calculation and Eligibility” (Mar. 8, 2021).

86 FR 13953 Notice: “Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of Idaho [Straight-line Winds]” (Mar. 11, 2021).

86 FR 13952 Notice: “Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the State of North Carolina [Tropical Storm Eta]” (Mar. 11, 2021).

86 FR 13953 Notice: “Presidential Declaration Amendment of a Major Disaster for the State of Texas [Severe Winter Storms]” (Mar. 11, 2021).

State Department

86 FR 13785 Notice: “Convening of an Accountability Review Board To Investigate the Murder of an Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Locally Employed (LE) Staff Member in Tijuana, Mexico” (Mar. 10, 2021).

Wage and Hour Division

86 FR 14027 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act; Withdrawal” (Mar. 12, 2021).

86 FR 14038 Proposed Rule—Comment Period: “Rescission of Joint Employer Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act Rule” (Mar. 12, 2021).

U.S. House Agriculture Committee

H.R.1602 “To direct the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission to jointly establish a digital asset working group, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Agriculture (Mar. 8, 2021).

H.R.1617 “To establish a White House Rural Council, and for other purposes.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Mar. 8, 2021).

H.R.1625 “To establish the Office of Intelligence in the Department of Agriculture, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Intelligence (Mar. 8, 2021).

H.Res.150 “Expressing support for the designation of February 20 to February 27, 2021, as ‘National FFA Week,’ recognizing the important role of the National FFA (FFA) Organization in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and celebrating 50 years of National FFA Alumni and Supporters.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research (Mar. 9, 2021).

H.R.932 “To require the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a study on national forest volunteers, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (Mar. 9, 2021).

H.R.939 “Combustion Avoidance along Rural Roads Act” or the “CARR Act.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (Mar. 9, 2021).

H.R.940 “Clearing Lines along Electrical At-Risk Zones Act.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry (Mar. 9, 2021).

H.R.1679 “To prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from conditioning any permit, lease, or other use agreement on the transfer of any water right to the United States, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Agriculture (Mar. 9, 2021).

H.R.1692 “To extend and expand the Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program to cover losses due to high winds, polar vortexes, and hailstorms.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Mar. 9, 2021).

H.R.1721 “To amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 to authorize additional funds for the Emergency Broadband Connectivity Fund, to provide grants to States and Tribal Entities to strengthen the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, to provide for Federal coordination between the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier and the National Accuracy Clearinghouse, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Agriculture (Mar. 9, 2021).

H.R.1753 “To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to repeal the particular work requirement that disqualifies able-bodied adults for eligibility to participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Mar. 10, 2021).

H.R.1779 “To improve the process for awarding grants under certain programs of the Department of Agriculture to certain counties in which the majority of land is owned or managed by the Federal Government and to other units of local government and Tribal governments in those counties, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Agriculture, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services (Mar. 10, 2021).

H.R.1798 “To provide for emergency grants for essential community facilities and temporary installations needed in response to COVID-19 pandemic in rural areas.” Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture (Mar. 11, 2021).

H.R.1815 “To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to suspend increases in line speeds at meat and poultry establishments, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Agriculture, Education and Labor, and Energy and Commerce (Mar. 11, 2021).

H.R.1848 “To rebuild and modernize the Nation’s infrastructure to expand access to broadband and Next Generation 9-1-1, rehabilitate drinking water infrastructure, modernize the electric grid and energy supply infrastructure, redevelop brownfields, strengthen health care infrastructure, create jobs, and protect public health and the environment, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Committees on Energy and Commerce; Transportation and Infrastructure; Natural Resources; Science, Space, and Technology; Ways and Means; Education and Labor; Agriculture; and Oversight and Reform (Mar. 11, 2021).

H.R.1783 “To make high-speed broadband internet service accessible and affordable to all Americans, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit (Mar. 12, 2021).

H.R.1821 “To amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters, and for other purposes.” Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment (Mar. 12, 2021).

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

S.647 “A bill to improve the process for awarding grants under certain programs of the Department of Agriculture to certain counties in which the majority of land is owned or managed by the Federal Government and to other units of local government and Tribal governments in those counties, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Mar. 9, 2021).

S.713 “A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to temporarily suspend increased line speeds at meat and poultry establishments, and for other purposes.” Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Mar. 11, 2021).

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Top #AgLaw HotLinks Mar. 8–12, 2021  

Dairy Leader Encouraged by Proposed H-2A Changes, Brownfield

USDA Allows More Time to Discuss Regulations of GE Animals, Successful Farming

Ag Immigration Reform on Horizon, Farm Progress

U.S. Dairy Industries Unite in Seeking Canadian TRQ Reform, Morning Ag Clips

USMCA Implementation Already Causing Headaches, Farm Progress

NAMI Calls for Meat, Poultry Worker to be Vaccinated, Morning Ag Clips

Meat Industry Concerned on Extra COVID Worker Requirements, Feedstuffs

Actions Aim to Reduce Food Insecurity Amid the COVID-19 Crisis, Morning Ag Clips

Hmong American Farmers Association Prepares for its Eighth CSA Season, AGWEEK

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