In a bid to stem a surge in human resistance to certain antibiotics, U.S. regulators announced new guidelines to phase out their use as a growth enhancer in livestock. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the antibiotics could still be used to treat illnesses in animals raised for meat, but should otherwise be […] Read more
New U.S. rules aim to cut antibiotic use in farm animals
U.S. Farm Bill talks stall, sides far apart on food stamps
The four key negotiators on a new U.S. government Farm Bill are miles apart on the paramount issue — the level of cuts in the major U.S. anti-hunger program – with no sign of compromise as time runs down for legislative action before the end of the year. Four hours of face-to-face meetings on Wednesday […] Read more
Panel raps lack of action to curb drug use in U.S. livestock
U.S. regulators and livestock producers have failed to curb the use of antibiotics in livestock despite concerns that excessive use in meat production will reduce the drugs’ effectiveness in humans, said a panel of experts. “Meaningful change is unlikely in the future,” concluded the 14-member panel, assembled by Johns Hopkins University, in a report released […] Read more
U.S. cancels October crop report, first miss in decades
The U.S. government on Thursday canceled its monthly crop report for the first time ever, and said it will not estimate U.S. or world crop production until early November. Cancellation of the October report means the first harvest-time estimate of U.S. crops will be Nov. 8. The production report and companion data on crops worldwide […] Read more
U.S. Farm Bill negotiators may begin work next week
U.S. House and Senate negotiators could meet for the first time next week to work on a new US$500 billion Farm Bill, more than a year past due and repeatedly delayed by House Republican plans for steep cuts in food stamps for the poor. The bill is also expected to cut funding for conservation programs […] Read more
Reformers hail limit on U.S. crop insurance subsidies
Farm subsidy reformers praised a vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to make the wealthiest growers pay more for federally subsidized crop insurance, the first eligibility limit on a program that costs US$9 billion a year. The non-binding House vote late on Friday will be a factor in upcoming negotiations with the Senate on […] Read more
U.S. farm law expires again with lawmakers split on new bill
Overshadowed by the government shutdown, the U.S. farm subsidy law expired for the second time on Tuesday with lawmakers still deadlocked over how to confront cuts in food assistance programs for low-income Americans. Analysts say Congress is more likely to revive the farm law for another year or two — the path it took when […] Read more
USDA will mostly ‘go dark’ in case of federal shutdown
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will shut off its gusher of statistical reports in the event of a federal government shutdown, leaving traders and food producers in the dark about most activities in the world’s largest farm exporter. But inspections of meat are considered among essential services that will continue even if most workers are […] Read more
U.S. House backs $40B cut in food stamps over 10 years
The Republican-run U.S. House of Representatives voted to cut spending on food stamps for the poor by US$40 billion over 10 years on Thursday, defying a veto threat from the White House in the name of fiscal reform. House majority leader Eric Cantor, the driving force behind the legislation, said it was “wrong for working, […] Read more
U.S. sugar surplus headed for the gas tank
Faced with a huge sugar surplus, the U.S. government published a rule on Friday that allows it to sell excess amounts at a loss to ethanol companies for making biofuels for cars and trucks. The Agriculture Department said the “sugar-for-ethanol” program, authorized by a 2008 law, would be “if needed … an additional tool to […] Read more
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