By Dave Fairfield, Senior Vice President of Feed Services The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on April 15 made available on its website a 62-page literature review conducted by its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on the scientific evidence regarding whether non-animal origin ingredients of commercial swine feed could introduce or transmit viral pathogens of swine into or within the United States. The purpose of the literature review was to evaluate and summarize current scientific knowledge regarding the transmission of viruses by non-animal origin feed ... Read More
Newsletter
FDA to begin intentional adulteration inspections in March 2020
By Dave Fairfield, Senior Vice President of Feed Services The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced during an April 17 public meeting that routine inspections to verify compliance with its Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)-related final rule for Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration will begin in March 2020. The final rule on intentional adulteration is designed to address hazards that may be introduced intentionally into human foods, including by acts of terrorism, with the intent to cause wide-spread harm to public health. The rule ... Read More
USDA makes changes to May 2019 WASDE report
Starting May 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make changes to its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. Notable changes include: Price range forecasts will be eliminated in favor of single price points for all crops and livestock. The international Supply and Use tables for Crops will include an aggregate value for “World less China,” representing the balance sheet values outside of China. The ordering of countries and lists of Major Importers/Exporters will be updated to eliminate outdated aggregations (such as “Former Soviet ... Read More
‘Your Safety Matters’ safety training video now available online
The NGFA’s popular “Your Safety Matters” video training program, developed in partnership with the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS), now is available to watch or download online! The 30-minute video, intended for employees of grain handling, feed manufacturing and grain processing operations, addresses many safety-related issues, including: Fires and explosions; Confined space and bin entry; Truck and rail safety; Safe operation of equipment; Ladder safety; Manlifts; Electrical; Personal protective equipment; Hazard communication; First aid; ... Read More
EU seeks to exclude ag from trade negotiations with U.S.
By Randy Gordon, President and CEO The European Union (EU) on April 15 approved its terms for negotiating a new trade agreement with the United States, voting to limit the talks solely to eliminating tariffs on industrial goods, expressly excluding negotiations on agricultural products. The four-page mandate issued by the EU Council contains binding directives for its negotiators. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström indicated the EU hopes to conclude negotiations within six months. Elections for the European Parliament are scheduled for May 23-26, with a total of 751 members from 28 ... Read More
ITC analysis finds USMCA will continue positive environment for North American ag trade
By Sarah Gonzalez, Director of Communications and Digital Media The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) on April 18 released a report assessing the expected effects on the U.S. economy of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and concluded the trade deal would modestly increase U.S. trade with both USMCA partners and the world. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer touted the ITC’s projection that USMCA would increase U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) by $68.2 billion – or 0.35 percent – more than double the ITC’s estimate of economic growth that would have ... Read More
U.S. wins second WTO ag dispute case against China
The World Trade Organization (WTO) announced on April 18 that one of its dispute settlement panels has ruled in favor of a U.S. claim that China has administered its tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for wheat, corn and rice inconsistently with its WTO commitments. As part of its accession agreement when joining the WTO, China pledged to adopt tariff-rate quotas in a transparent, predictable and fair manner. But the WTO panel found China had failed to meet those commitments, which ultimately resulted in China failing to meet its TRQ commitments. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that if ... Read More
U.S., Japan begin discussions on bilateral trade accord
By Randy Gordon, President and CEO U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and his Japanese counterpart, Economic Revitalization Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, completed two days of initial talks on April 16 on a new bilateral trade accord. In a four-paragraph statement issued by the USTR’s Office, the two sides “reaffirmed their shared goal of achieving substantive results” consistent with the joint statement issued by President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Sept. 26, 2018. In that joint statement, the two heads of state pledged to produce “early achievements,” ... Read More
Registration open for NGFA-KSU FSMA Training in August
Registration now is open for the NGFA-Kansas State University Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) training course scheduled for Aug. 20-22 in Manhattan, Kan. This course is targeted for businesses that need to comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) rule for Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals. The FDA FSMA-related animal food rule requires that certain activities specified within the regulations be completed by a “preventive controls qualified individual.” Such activities include overseeing ... Read More
Trade Rules Seminar to preview Barge Digital Transformation project
NGFA’s 2019 Trading, Trade Rules and Dispute Resolution Seminar (Trade Rules Seminar) will feature a special barge trade session focused on the new and currently underway Barge Digital Transformation project. This initiative launched last year in response to industry-generated demand to replace the current costly, cumbersome and outdated (paper- and FedEx-based) process to apply barges and transfer bills of lading. For about a year, a diverse coalition of companies in the industry have been working to develop a prototype digital system, which it widely is anticipated will be available ... Read More
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