WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) has announced the Protect America’s Children from Toxic Pesticides Act of 2021 (PACTPA) that would remove dangerous pesticides within the agricultural system. Specifically, this legislation would update the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act of 1972 (FIFRA) by banning the most damaging pesticides that have been scientifically proven to harm the safety of people and …
Senator Warnock Cosponsors Legislation to Provide Financial Relief to Small Farmers
From the Office of Senator Warnock Washington, D.C. – Last week at the Senate agriculture committee, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) emphasized the importance of Congress supporting small farmers, including passing the Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act — legislation cosponsored by Senator Warnock that will support America’s small farmers through financial relief to mitigate losses suffered due to chain disruptions …
Sticker Ban: French Legislation Threatens Millions of Dollars to Produce Exports
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service, a new French ban on the sales of fruit and vegetables with identifying stickers could threaten future exports of U.S. sweet potatoes and grapefruits. The ban is slated to be implemented on Jan. 1, 2022. The report states that most U.S. grapefruits and some sweet potatoes shipped overseas have stickers …
Florida Legislator: House Bill 1601 a Dangerous Piece of Legislation
One Florida state legislator deems House Bill 1601 a “dangerous piece of legislation.” Another accuses “Big Sugar” of attempting to “change the rules” in the middle of the game. The bill that is likely to see the House in the next couple of weeks has drawn the ire of Florida State Representatives Anna Eskamani and Omari Hardy. Also known as …
Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Legislation to Expedite Water Quality Improvements
Jupiter, FL (EOG-Oct. 16, 2019) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced proposed legislation for the 2020 legislative session that will expedite water quality improvements throughout Florida. The legislation incorporates recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force, which the governor created shortly after taking office to aid the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in protecting, conserving and managing the state’s natural resources. …
Sen. Ossoff Pushing to Protect Georgia’s Agriculture from Invasive Species
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working to protect Georgia farms from pests and diseases. Sen. Ossoff has launched a push to pass the bipartisan Beagle Brigade Act of 2023, legislation he co-sponsored to make permanent the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s National Detector Dog Training Center in Newnan, Georgia. The center trains the Beagle Brigade, dogs trained by …
Sen. Ossoff Helping Georgia Producers Export More Products
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is helping Georgia farmers export more crops to world markets. Ossoff is working to bring Republicans and Democrats together to pass the bipartisan Specialty CROP Act of 2023, legislation he co-sponsored to support Georgia’s farmers and level the playing field to boost exports. The bipartisan bill would promote fair access to foreign markets and …
AFVGA Executive Director Voices Frustration About Lack of New Farm Bill
By Clint Thompson What was due at the end of last September is still not in place as the calendar hits mid-April. Who knows when a new farm bill will be in place? Blake Thaxton does not. The executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association expressed his frustration about the piece of legislation that was scheduled to …
Awaiting Approval: Georgia Senator Discusses Foreign Ownership of Land Bill
By Clint Thompson Georgia’s bill to restrict foreign ownership of land is an important piece of legislation impacting food and national security. SB420 seeks to limit property rights for certain foreign ‘agents’ and entities by prohibiting them from purchasing land used for farming or within a 10-mile radius of a military base or installation. It refers to those considered a …
Sen. Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Provide Financial Relief for Producers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Thom Tillis and his colleagues recently introduced the Supporting Farm Operations Act of 2024, legislation that would revert the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) to the December 2023 rate through the end of the 2025 growing season. The AEWR in North Carolina rose 6% from $14.91 per hour to $15.81 per hour in January 2024. “With net farm …