The current farm bill, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008, replaces the last farm bill which expired in September 2007.
Now that the World Trade Organization (WTO) has accepted Russia into
its membership, Congress will need to pass Permanent Normal Trade
Relations (PNTR) status for Russia for the United States to benefit from
the agreement. The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations will
continue with a goal of completion in 2012. With Japan now joining the
negotiations, the economic importance for U.S. agriculture, especially
beef and pork, increased significantly. And with the WTO ruling against
the United States on country-of-origin labeling (COOL), the
administration will determine early next year whether to appeal the
decision.
When the farm bill is considered by the House of Representatives, it
is expected that animal welfare amendments may be offered. This could
include the agreement between the Humane Society of the United States
(HSUS) and the egg industry, banning downer animals (including fatigued
hogs) from entering the food supply, horse slaughter etc.
A number of tax provisions expired on Dec. 31 including the biodiesel
tax credit. Congress is expected to address the tax extender provisions
this spring. The blender’s tax credit for ethanol also ended on Dec.
31. It will not be reauthorized. These are just a few of the many issues
important to U.S. agriculture. This being an election year, there will
be many other issues that will confront producers and agribusiness.
Read the complete article: http://seedbuzz.com/knowledge-center/article/farm-bill
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