trans pacific partnership

TPP . The Trans-Pacific Partnership includes 12 countries representing about 40% of the global economy. It was signed in February and most likely will go before a lame duck congress. The American Farm Bureau has said that agriculture will be the biggest beneficiary, yet there have been hurdles with dairy and pork getting on board TPP...

Ethanol companies last week received a boost when the Federal regulators proposed to raise the amount of ethanol that refineries must blend into US gasoline. The Environmental Protection Agency is behind the proposal that is unpopular with oil companies as the Agency wants to require refineries to blend nearly 19 billion gallons of corn based ethanol and other bio-fuels into US gas in 2017... Read

Criticism of the Trans-Pacific Partnership intensified after 160 farm, food, and faith groups sent a letter to Capitol Hill asking lawmakers to reject the pact.  The group said the main beneficiaries of TPP are companies that buy, process, and ship raw ag commodities, and not farmers who face real risks from rising import competition...

An agriculture delegation from Cuba toured American agriculture. Hosted by the U.S. Grains Council, the delegation was brought to the U.S. to learn about U.S. grain production and exporting systems and see the advantages of purchasing U.S. products...

There may be a possibility of action on the Trans Pacific Partnership as early as this summer in the House Ways and Means Committee. Committee Chair Kevin Brady said action would only happen if the Obama Administration resolves concerns that Republicans and some Democrats have on the trade deal...

The rise in Canadian farmland prices will slow in 2016, thanks in part of softer commodity prices.  Farm Credit Canada said that growers should prepare for a possible easing in land values after prices rose at a slower rate in 2015.  Prices rose ten percent in 2015, and should rise between 2-4 percent in 2016 thanks to ample supplies of grains and oilseeds pressuring commodity prices...

The Grocery Manufacturers Association is preparing to prove in court that officials didn't know that they were violating Washington State law when they decided to set up an account for food companies to pay into in order to oppose the 2013 GMO labeling ballot initiative there without having to disclose where the money came from...

The 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati Monday agreed to hear challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. rule by 18 states. The states say the EPA goes too far with the rule, and that WOTUS would be costly to landowners...

House Speaker Paul Ryan said this week his chamber does not have the votes yet to pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership and also said lawmakers have a long list of issues regarding the TPP, which was signed last week in New Zealand. Currently, the trade agreement faces opposition from a majority of Democrats on Capitol Hill and presidential candidates in both parties...

Chinese officials issued a warning to seed dealers and farmers not to use unapproved genetically engineered seeds following a Greenpeace report that found widespread GM contamination in corn. China permits the import of GMO crops for animal feed but does not allow the cultivation of genetically modified crops...