Animal bio-tech USDA could soon oversee parts of federal animal biotechnology regulations as part of a recently announced advance notice of proposed rule making. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach says the proposed transfer of regulatory oversight from the Food and Drug Administration would cover agricultural animals modified or produced by genetic engineering. “What we re seeing through this process is for those adjustments that are made to animals, primarily for food, labor, fiber, that we would have those regulatory authorities moved over to USDA APHIS directly providing that oversight under their animal health statutes.” And the Food Safety and Inspection Service would conduct pre slaughter, food safety risk assessments. Usda and FDA would work together to develop a modernized regulatory framework that is risk based and scientifically sound. The proposed rulemaking is currently under a 60 day comment period. “The FDA and USDA have
Examining the unusual increase in seed coat fragments in cotton produced in the Southeast.
The 2020 cotton season didn t end well for some Southeast cotton. The USDA Classing Office in Macon, Ga., has classed 2.2 million samples. Approximately 895,000 contained seed coat fragments, which can discount the value of that cotton.
A portion of samples taken at the office also contained whole cotton seed.
On Jan. 5, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue directed the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service to work with the Georgia Department of Agriculture to raise awareness and further examine the unusual increase in seed coat fragments in cotton produced in the Southeast.
Beef Industry Concerns in 2020
Tuesday Dec 15th, 2020 Beef Industry Concerns in 2020
The USDA is taking actions to address beef industry concerns. There are two things that really effected the industry this year - the coronavirus - and the huge fire at processing facility in Kansas.
USDA Undersecretary Greg Ibach recently discussed those concerns.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to address the challenges facing the beef industry. Issues facing the industry were detailed in the Boxed Beef and Fed Cattle Price Spread Investigation Report that was released in July. USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach pointed out three areas to improve upon to help producers. Initiatives focusing on risk management education funding, livestock market reporting, and producer training opportunities will be emphasized.