NGFA and 45 other food and agricultural organizations sent a joint statement on Nov. 9 to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expressing strong support for a pilot program allowing drivers 18, 19 and 20 years old to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce. The statement noted that currently, in 49 states (all except New York state), the minimum age for intrastate CMV operation is 18 (or under), while the federal minimum is 21 for interstate CMV operation. The pilot program has the potential to remove the ... Read More
News
USDA to conduct CRP sign-up in January
By Max Fisher, Vice President, Economics, Government Relations The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Nov. 12 that it will conduct 2021 general signups for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and CRP Grasslands. General signup for CRP will occur from Jan. 4 to Feb. 12, while signup for the CRP Grasslands program will run from March 15 to April 23. Currently, there are 21.9 million acres enrolled in CRP, with contracts for 5.4 million of those acres expiring on Oct. 1, 2020. USDA said the 2020 CRP signups would add 4.6 million acres to the program effective on that ... Read More
NGFA reschedules 125th annual convention to June 2021
ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 12, 2020 -- The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today announced that given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it has rescheduled its 125th annual convention to June 2-4 at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, Calif. This decision was made with the health of NGFA members and guests, staff, speakers and exhibitors as the top priority. NGFA’s Executive Committee met virtually on Nov. 9 and determined that uncertainty surrounding the pandemic likely will not change significantly enough during the winter months for NGFA to know it can host a quality in-person ... Read More
Coalition outlines labor policy under Trump or Biden
The Coalition for Workplace Safety, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, outlined policy priorities expected in a second term of the Trump administration or a new Biden administration. The two-page document can be accessed here. The coalition predicts gridlock on all priority issues given a potential Republican majority in the Senate and Democratic majority in the House. A more detailed document highlighting the status of priority safety, health, environmental and employment issues will be distributed once the results of the elections are finalized. ... Read More
After the Election: What’s Next for Ag Policy
The all-virtual, 49th annual Country Elevator Conference and Trade Show, which takes place Dec. 8-10, will include a representative from the next presidential administration to open dialogue about what to expect from the next four years of agricultural and trade policy. This year’s virtual CEC includes an online platform that provides access to trade show exhibitors, other registrants, as well as podcasts, exhibitor resources and other materials one week before presentations begin on Dec. 8. Also, all presentations will be recorded and made available to registrants after the event ... Read More
FDA provides FAQs on animal food facility registration and qualified facility attestations
By David Fairfield, Senior Vice President, Feed The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Nov. 5 made available information in a frequently-asked-questions format to assist animal food facilities in completing the food facility registration process and submit qualified facility attestations. Human and animal food facilities obligated to register with FDA are to renew their registrations in 2020 during the period beginning on Oct. 1 and ending on Dec. 31. The registration requirement applies to domestic and foreign facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold (store) ... Read More
FDA releases additional resources related to food traceability proposed rule
By David Fairfield, Senior Vice President, Feed The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made available several additional resources to assist stakeholders in understanding its proposed rule to establish additional traceability requirements for certain foods. As mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act, FDA on Sept. 23 published its proposed rule in the Federal Register to establish additional traceability requirements for foods designated on the agency’s Food Traceability List (FTL). When doing so, FDA stated the new requirements would help the agency rapidly and ... Read More
NGFA, NAEGA convey positive impacts of trade to U.S. International Trade Commission
By Max Fisher, Vice President, Economics and Government Relations The NGFA and the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) today (Nov. 6) submitted a joint statement to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) touting the benefits of trade to the U.S. agricultural sector and noting that consummation of beneficial trade accords is highly dependent upon Congress granting renewal of the president’s trade promotion authority (TPA) to negotiate such agreements. ITC, as required by law, currently is carrying out an investigation of the economic impact of trade ... Read More
NGFA supports increasing revenue threshold for Class II RRs, but urges STB to consider enabling rail customers to bring regulatory challenges
ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 3, 2020 – In a statement submitted this week, the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) supported the federal Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) proposal to increase to $900 million the revenue threshold used to determine whether a freight railroad continues to be classified as a Class II carrier. But in so doing, NGFA urged the agency to be cognizant of the increasing size, revenues and regional dominance of Class II railroads when determining whether and when to subject such carriers to prudent regulation to protect the interests of rail customers. The STB ... Read More
Barge Digital Transformation (BDT) platform goes live
ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 2, 2020 — National Grain and Feed Digital Solutions (NGFDS) officially launched the eagerly anticipated Barge Digital Transformation (BDT) platform on Nov. 2. The platform will be live for corn bills of lading starting Nov. 1. Remaining commodities, including soybeans, wheat, soybean meal and distillers dried grains, will be available on the digital platform before the end of the year. The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) announced its official partnership in July with the affiliated organization NGFDS to oversee the BDT platform. NGFDS has partnered with ... Read More
National Grain and Feed Association
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