Statement of Under Secretary Greg Ibach on Section 199A Tax Code Fix Agreement

Release No. 0055.18 Contact: USDA Press Email: press@oc.usda.gov Statement of Under Secretary Greg Ibach on Section 199A Tax Code Fix Agreement (Washington, D.C., March 14, 2018) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach today issued the following statement regarding an agreement among Congressional leaders to address concerns with recent changes to Section 199A of the federal tax code. Some agriculture stakeholders had raised questions about potential market effects on cooperatives and independent grain-related businesses. Ibach’s statement is as follows: “The sweeping tax cuts and reform package championed by President Trump and passed by Congress is already working as designed, empowering growth across all economic sectors, including agriculture. An unintended consequence of the new law caused disparate treatment among independent operators and cooperatives in the same industry. Federal tax policy should not be picking winners and losers in the marketplace. We applaud Congress and stakeholders for coming together and agreeing to a solution for the good of all agriculture. At USDA, we will provide whatever information is necessary to support Congress in their efforts to have the proposal included in the Omnibus appropriations bill.” #

Secretary Perdue Statement on Extension of Agriculture Exemption from ELD Mandate

Secretary Perdue Statement on Extension of Agriculture Exemption from ELD Mandate (Washington, D.C., March 13, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao for her announcement of an additional 90-day extension of the agriculture exemption from the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate. Agricultural compliance with the mandate, particularly the hours-of-service requirements, would have been problematic for the agriculture industry. The ELD rule went into effect in December 2017, with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) granting the agriculture industry an initial exemption that was set to expire on March 18, 2018. With the granting of another extension, the agriculture industry will now have additional time to comply. Secretary Sonny Perdue issued the following statement: “The ELD mandate imposes restrictions upon the agriculture industry that lack flexibility necessary for the unique realities of hauling agriculture commodities. If the agriculture industry had been forced to comply by the March 18 deadline, live agricultural commodities, including plants and animals, would have been at risk of perishing before they reached their destination. The 90-day extension is critical to give DOT additional time to issue guidance on hours-of-service and other ELD exemptions that are troubling for agriculture haulers.” “Current ELD technologies do not recognize the hours-of-service exemptions for agriculture that are in federal law, leaving drivers to do twice the work by requiring use of both the ELD and traditional paper logs. This is a classic example of a one-size-fits-all federal regulation that ignores common sense to the detriment of sectors like agriculture. “I applaud Secretary Chao for recognizing these obstacles and giving extra time for compliance while DOT issues guidance. While public safety is a critical concern for all of trucking, the safety of living agricultural commodities in transport must also be considered.” BACKGROUND: Agriculture haulers operating within 150 air miles of the source of their agriculture products or livestock do not have to comply with DOT’s hours-of-service regulation, which limits driving hours to only 11 hours after being off duty for more than 10 consecutive hours. For more information on the hours-of-service exemption for agriculture shipments, visit this U.S. DOT web page: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/hours-service/elds/eld-hours-service-hos-and-agriculture-exemptions. For more information on agriculture commodities that are transported to domestic and foreign markets, visit this USDA webpage: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/transportation-analysis. ###

Produce Safety Alliance’s Food Safety Modernization Act training

Woods Note: Currently Pecan are not included in this because USDA does not think Pecan are eaten raw. Peanuts also are not included. Any produce that is eaten raw is. So if you are selling product for raw consumption you need to attend. Almonds, pastichos are under this requirement.

The Produce Safety Alliance’s Food Safety Modernization Act training will be conducted next week in Las Cruces, NM for Grower Training and Train-the Trainer training. The training is to help growers meet the requirements of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. NMSU personnel are also encouraged to attend so that they are familiar with these grower requirements. The classes will be held in Domenici Hall. The agenda is attached and the registration link can be found at the conclusion of this email. Who Should Attend: Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule, Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), and co-management of natural resources and food safety. The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires ‘At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.’ The registration link is https://ezregister.com/register/order/24168/0/05752fcac40c13bea126ae018f28cc0f0af6752d/

PECAN GROWER ROUND TABLE

PECAN GROWER ROUND TABLE Eddy County Extension is hosting a Pecan Grower Round Table discussion on March 29, 2018 at 7:00 pm in the meeting room of the Eddy County Extension Office. Dr. Heerema, Extension Pecan and nut specialist, as well as Dr. Jane Pierce, and Dr. Robert Flynn will be available to discuss general orchard, or tree management and care, soils and fertility of trees and pecan insects including pecan weevil. Each specialist will give a short presentation and then the floor will be open to discuss whatever concerns you may have or questions. This is for everyone from the one pecan tree in your yard to large orchard operations. There is limited space so if you wish to pre-register or if you are in need of special assistance due to a disability please contact the Eddy County Extension Office 887-6595 at least 1 day before the class. This and all programs are available to everyone regardless of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating “to put knowledge to work”.

USDA Decides Not to Impose Additional Regulatory Requirements for Organic Producers and Handlers

Email: press@oc.usda.gov USDA Decides Not to Impose Additional Regulatory Requirements for Organic Producers and Handlers WASHINGTON, March 12, 2018 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the decision to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule published on January 19, 2017. The rule would have increased federal regulation of livestock and poultry for certified organic producers and handlers. The withdrawal becomes effective May 13, 2018. Significant policy and legal issues were identified after the rule published in January 2017. After careful review and two rounds of public comment, USDA has determined that the rule exceeds the Department’s statutory authority, and that the changes to the existing organic regulations could have a negative effect on voluntary participation in the National Organic Program, including real costs for producers and consumers. “The existing robust organic livestock and poultry regulations are effective,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Program Undersecretary Greg Ibach. “The organic industry’s continued growth domestically and globally shows that consumers trust the current approach that balances consumer expectations and the needs of organic producers and handlers.” According to USDA reports for 2017, the number of certified organic operations increased domestically by seven percent and globally by 11 percent. Industry estimates show that organic sales in the United States reached almost $47 billion in 2016, reflecting an increase of almost $3.7 billion since 2015. The Department carefully considered public comments and the relative costs and benefits for both producers and consumers of imposing the proposed additional regulations. More information on the OLPP final rule is available in the March 12, 2018, Federal Register, and on the USDA National Organic Program web page. #

PLEASE ANNOUNCE: Udall Recruiting Summer Session Interns for Washington, D.C., Office

PLEASE ANNOUNCE: Udall Recruiting Summer Session Interns for Washington, D.C., Office WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tom Udall invites New Mexico college students interested in gaining legislative or press relations experience to apply for summer internships in his Washington, D.C., office. For more information and to apply for an internship, please visit https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/help/internships. During the upcoming summer internship program, Udall's office in Washington, D.C., will host two summer internship sessions: May 29 – June 29, and July 2 to Aug. 3. There may also be limited availability for students who prefer an internship for the full summer. Applications and letters of recommendation for either summer internship session must be submitted by March 18, 2018. "Internships on Capitol Hill offer students a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the inner workings of our government and the day-to-day operations of a Senate office,” Udall said. “During these internships, students will have the chance to assist in every aspect of my office functions. They are able to attend committee hearings and House and Senate floor proceedings, learn how to write a press release, research legislation and draft correspondence. For young people interested in a career in public service or government, interning on Capitol Hill is an invaluable educational experience. Interns are critical to the daily operations of my office, and I encourage all interested college students to apply." Students of all majors are accepted; internships may count toward college credit. Students should check with their respective college or university for requirements.

NMSU, NMDA agricultural leaders’ listening sessions begin in Roswell March 28

NMSU, NMDA agricultural leaders’ listening sessions begin in Roswell March 28 DATE: 03/09/2018 WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu CONTACT: Rolando A. Flores , 575-646-3748, agdean@nmsu.edu New Mexico’s top agricultural leaders will be on the road again with stops in Roswell, Belen and Alamogordo for a second year of statewide listening sessions with agricultural producers. New Mexico State University’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Dean Rolando A. Flores and New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Jeff Witte will host three sessions around the state to hear the concerns of farmers and ranchers. “As representatives of NMSU we voice the agricultural needs through research, teaching and extension,” Flores said. “The best way to know about the agricultural issues is to listen to the stakeholders in the state.” “We look forward to meeting with New Mexico residents across the state and listening to their concerns,” Witte said. “The listening sessions provide New Mexicans with the opportunity to engage in face-to-face conversation with us, while allowing us to answer questions they may have regarding agriculture in our state.” Last year’s topics and concerns included aging agricultural producers, access to federal land, lack of a meat processing plant, agriculture literacy, the general public’s lack of awareness of the economic impact of agriculture, water engineering and use, and the impact of the federal Farm Bill and foreign trade agreements. These topics and others were addressed during the listening sessions in Portales, Abiquiu and Las Cruces. “The sessions in 2017 were very informative and have assisted us in targeting some issues,” Flores said. “This year we are going to focus on explaining the importance of supporting the General Obligation Bond in November’s election because it will prompt a real transformation to agriculture in New Mexico that will positively impact communities and the economy.” Roswell will be the first 2018 session from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at the Eastern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. The next two sessions will be on May 31 in Belen and July 18 in Alamogordo. Time and place will be announced prior to the events. - 30 - Follow NMSU News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/nmsunews Follow NMSU News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NMSUNews