USDA to Invest $30 Million to Protect Wetlands

Written by Tyler R. Etter

On October 15, 2015, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $30 million across six states to aid in the protection and restoration of wetlands. The funding stems from the Westland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP) that is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

WREP, which is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), allows local governments, NGOs, and American Indian tribes to collaborate with NRCS through cooperative and partnership agreements. These partnerships work with tribal and private landowners to enroll eligible land into easements to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands on the property.

The states chosen for the funding for 2015-2016 are Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, and Tennessee. Information on the individual projects to be funded can be found on the USDA news release linked above. The investment adds to the over $330 million the USDA announced for the 2015 fiscal year dedicated to the protection and restoration of agricultural working lands, grasslands, and wetlands.

USDA Finalizes the Rule of BSE Import Regulation

On November 1st,  the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a final rule that will modernize the Agency’s import regulations for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).  Once this rule has taken effect, APHIS will use the same criteria and categories that the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) uses to identify a country’s BSE risk status. 

This action will be published in the Federal Register very soon and the rule will become effective 90 days after publication.

Click here to read the USDA press release. 

Written by Joseph Negaard - Research Assistant

The Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center

@PSUAgLawCenter

November 5, 2013

USDA Paying Nearly $15.5 Million Through Advanced Biofuel Payment Program

On September 12, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it is paying nearly $15.5 million to 188 producers through the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill.  Under this program, payments are made based on the amount of biofuels produced from non-corn biomass.

The USDA maintains that this program is an important part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy and help create jobs in rural areas.

For the complete list of producers receiving payments click here.

To see the USDA official press release please click here.

Written by Joseph Negaard - Research Assistant

The Agricultural Law Resource and Reference Center

@PSUAgLawCenter

September 17, 2013

USDA Issues New Rule Regarding Organic Agriculture

On November 8, 2011, the United States Department of Agriculture published a new rule aimed at addressing the use of tetracycline, formic acid and attapulgite in organic agriculture. According to the USDA press release, the proposed rule embodies many of the recommendations made by an independent body known as the National Organic Standards Board, which advises the Secretary of Agriculture on organic regulations. Comments on the proposed rule will be accepted until January 9, 2012.

Click here to read the USDA press release

Click here to read the entire proposed rule

Written by Andy Schwabenbauer, Research Fellow
November 28, 2011