Biden-Harris Administration Announces Actions, Investments to Create Fairer Markets, Lower Prices

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $89 million across the country (PDF, 160 KB) to finance the startup and expansion of independent meat processors. USDA also announced initial steps the Department is taking to create a more competitive marketplace for seeds and other agricultural inputs.

The $89 million of investments announced today support the Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain, which dedicates resources...

Biden-Harris Administration Invests $59 Million to Increase Independent Meat and Poultry Processing

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $59 million across the country (PDF, 153 KB) to increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, expand market opportunities for farmers and create jobs in rural areas.

The investments support the Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain, which dedicates resources to expand independent processing capacity. As President Biden has highlighted, creating fairer markets...

USDA Unveils Strategic Approach, Investments for Addressing Water Supply Challenges in the West

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to making Western communities more resilient to the impacts of drought and climate change, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced new investments and strategies to help farmers and ranchers conserve water, address climate change and build drought resilience in the West, supported in part by funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

The Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action is a comprehensive, multi-state strategy under USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to address...

NPPC Statement on President Biden’s State of the Union

NPPC supports the Biden administration and the United States Department of Agriculture’s work to remove unfair barriers to trade to enable more market opportunities for American pork farmers. Open trade and investment policies have made the U.S. pork industry more competitive internationally. Last year alone, the U.S. exported nearly $7.7 billion in U.S. pork and pork products to over 100 countries. America’s pork producers stand ready to back government efforts to maintain, diversify, and expand additional export markets for U.S. agriculture...

NCBA Sues Biden Administration to Overturn Lesser Prairie Chicken Listing

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has filed a Notice of Intent to sue the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) over the listing of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act. This is the first step in court toward overturning the listing and revoking FWS’s final rule for both the Northern and Southern Distinct Population Segments (DPS).

“The lesser prairie chicken only survives today because of the voluntary conservation efforts of ranchers,” said NCBA Associate Director of Government Affairs Sigrid Johannes...

Biden Administration Invests in Projects to Promote Competition and Strengthen Meat Supply Chain

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $9.6 million across the country and taking several other steps to help farmers, ranchers, processors and rural businesses diversify the nation’s meat supply.

“USDA is putting the needs of farmers, ranchers and consumers at the forefront of the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to strengthen the resiliency of America’s food supply chain while promoting competition,” Vilsack said.  “USDA has undertaken a Department-wide approach to...

NCBA Thanks Biden Administration for Actions to Avoid Rail Disruptions

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recognized the Biden Administration for taking quick action to avoid rail disruptions.

“On behalf of America’s cattle producers, we thank President Biden and Secretary Vilsack for their action to prevent a disruption in critical rail service across the country. We are also pleased to see bipartisan leaders in Congress working together to address this issue and protect our supply chains,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “We urge Congress to quickly pass the tentative agreement, which enforces the Presidential Emergency Board’s recommendations from..."

USMEF Conference Concludes with Election of New Officers, Overview of Current Trade Landscape

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Strategic Planning Conference wrapped up Friday in Oklahoma City with the election of a new officer team. Dean Meyer, a corn, soybean and livestock producer from Rock Rapids, Iowa, is the new USMEF chair.

In addition to raising corn and soybeans, Meyer’s diversified operation – which he oversees with his three sons – includes a cattle feedlot and a farrow-to-finish hog facility. This provides him with a deep appreciation of the diverse range of agricultural sectors that make up USMEF...

NCBA Hails White House Focus on Protecting Food and Ag Sector

Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) hailed the signing of the National Security Memorandum to Strengthen the Security and Resilience of U.S. Food and Agriculture, which will allow the federal government to identify the threats facing our food supply and enhance national preparedness and response.

“Our agricultural sector faces a variety of threats that could inhibit cattle producers’ ability to bring beef from pasture to plate,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “NCBA appreciates the Biden administration’s focus on identifying threats and developing..."

NCC Urges Biden Administration to Prevent Possible Railroad Strike

NCC joined over 320 local, state, and federal trade associations in urging the Biden administration to continue working with a collection of railroad unions and the railroad operators on an agreement to prevent a possible strike.

“With your help, from establishing the Presidential Emergency Board to involvement in the direct negotiations among the parties, the tentative agreement was reached on September 15,” the letter to President Biden said. “We have seen six of the twelve unions ratify the agreement to date. Unfortunately, we have seen two unions reject the agreement and..."

Retailers Welcome Executive Order on Transatlantic Data Flows

The National Retail Federation welcomed the White House’s announcement on Friday of an executive order that lays the groundwork to restore the EU-U.S. Privacy Shield program as the improved EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework. The announcement advances the agreement in principle reached between the United States and European Union in March of this year.

“We applaud the Biden administration for taking this timely action to safeguard transatlantic data flows on which the global retail industry depends,” said NRF Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French. “NRF has long engaged with..."

America’s Meat Companies Fill the “Protein Gap” to Help End Hunger in the United States

Aligned with the Biden administration's goal of ending hunger in the United States and with the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, the North American Meat Institute and America’s leading meat companies are advancing industry-wide best practices and increasing access to nutrient-dense meat for families in need.

The Meat Institute shared today with White House Conference organizers its commitment, made through the Protein PACT for the People, Animals and Climate of Tomorrow, to help measure and fill this “protein gap”...