The European Commission reported that imports of U.S. soybeans are up 283 percent from this time last year. The report, issued Aug. 1, serves as “the first concrete follow-up to the EU-U.S. joint statement agreed in Washington” between Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and President Donald Trump, the Commission said. EU's total share of imports of U.S. soybeans has increased to 37 percent, up from 9 percent one year ago, according to the press release from the European Commission. The report also noted that the U.S. is now supplying 13 percent of EU soymeal imports, compared ... Read More
Newsletter
2018 NGFA-PFI Feed and Pet Food Joint Conference to present FSMA implementation updates and consumer preferences research
ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 1, 2018 --The 2018 edition of the Feed and Pet Food Joint Conference, an annual collaboration between the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and the Pet Food Institute (PFI), will feature several industry leaders and education sessions that will provide the latest information to guide feed and pet food companies through a complex regulatory environment as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) continues to implement the Food Safety Modernization Act. The 9th annual Feed and Pet Food Joint Conference, scheduled for Sept. 17-19 at the Hyatt ... Read More
NGFA and Grain Journal host more than 250 attendees at CONVEY ‘18
The NGFA and Grain Journal Magazine hosted CONVEY ’18 on July 25-26, attracting more than 250 attendees to the Hilton Omaha Hotel in Omaha, Neb. The conference focused on operations, compliance and grain quality issues facing the grain, feed and processing industry. CONVEY ’18 included an informative general session, an afternoon of educational breakout tracks focusing on safety and grain quality/operations, and an interactive workshop that walked attendees through best practices during OSHA inspections. CONVEY ’18 also ... Read More
Industry and government leaders look toward improving U.S. infrastructure and transportation services during 2018 Ag Transportation Summit
By Sarah Gonzalez, Director of Communications and Digital Media Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue emphasized why updating the nation’s infrastructure is so important to the U.S. economy during his keynote speech at the 2018 Agricultural Transportation Summit in Arlington, Va., on July 25. Noting that nearly one third of the freight on American roadways is used to transport agricultural products, Perdue said that the transportation and agricultural industries depend on each other. Likening the U.S. agricultural production, marketing and transportation sectors to the ... Read More
USDA announces Grain Inspection Advisory Committee appointments
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue this week announced the appointment of 12 members – three whom are NGFA members – to serve on the Federal Grain Inspection Service’s (FGIS) Grain Inspection Advisory Committee, beginning July 1. John Lindgren, production manager at United Grain Corporation in Vancouver, Wash., was appointed for three years, while Bruce Sutherland, president of Michigan Agricultural Commodities in Okemos, Mich., and a member of the NGFA Board of Directors was appointed for two years. Established in 1981, the Advisory Committee represents the interests of all segments of ... Read More
NGFA submits statement on FSMA guidance document
ARLINGTON, Va., July 27, 2018 -- The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) submitted a statement to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding an agency guidance document pertaining to animal food rules issued mandated under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). FDA issued a notice of availability of a draft guidance entitled “Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals,” published on Jan. 23 in the Federal Register. The draft guidance is intended to assist animal food facilities comply with the requirements for hazard analysis and risk-based ... Read More
Senate Ag Committee conducts CFTC confirmation hearing
By Todd Kemp, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Treasurer The Senate Agriculture Committee conducted a confirmation hearing July 24 on the nomination of Dan Berkovitz to fill the Democratic vacancy at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Assuming his nomination is reported favorably by the committee, which could come as early as next week, Berkovitz will be paired with Republican nominee Dawn Stump for consideration by the full Senate. The NGFA is working with other agribusiness and producer groups to send a letter of support for both nominees to Senate ... Read More
STB nominee enjoys smooth Senate confirmation hearing
By Randy Gordon, President Martin J. Oberman, who President Donald Trump nominated on July 5 to fill the final vacancy on the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB), enjoyed an uncontentious nomination hearing on July 26 conducted by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. During his testimony, Oberman pledged to bring a “fresh outlook” to the STB. “Honoring precedent and not changing systems that are not broken are important values to which I adhere, and there are often sound reasons to continue operations and policies used in the past, particularly ... Read More
NGFA Hill Briefing: Grain inspection exceptions and appropriations
By Bobby Frederick, Director of Legislative Affairs and Public Policy Before embarking on the five-week August district work period, the House passed a medical device tax repeal and the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) outlining defense programs for the year. Meanwhile, the Senate confirmed a new Veterans Administration secretary and began work on an appropriations bill (H.R. 6147) that includes funding for agriculture, transportation, interior and financial services programs. Earlier this year, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., announced that the Senate ... Read More
EU court rules that gene-edited organisms subject to EU GMO rules
By Randy Gordon, President; and Sarah Gonzalez, Director of Communications and Digital Media The European Union (EU) Court of Justice, in a highly anticipated decision issued July 25, ruled that genetic mutation (mutagenesis) of organisms – better known as “gene editing” – is subject to the EU’s extensive regulations governing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The case [Case C-528/16] was brought by nine French agricultural associations – led by a group called Confédération paysanne, a French agricultural union – that asked the court to limit the current EU exemption for plant ... Read More
National Grain and Feed Association
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