Federal News
USDA National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard Goes into Effect
- On January 13, 2022
On January 1, 2022, the USDA National Bioengineered (BE) Food Disclosure Standard went into effect. The Standard requires food...
Secretary Vilsack Announces New Climate Smart Agriculture Opportunities
- On January 13, 2022
On January 10, Secretary Vilsack announced several new and expanded opportunities for climate smart agriculture in 2022, including: a...
ASTA Opposes Proposed Amendments to FIFRA
- On January 13, 2022
On January 10, ASTA joined an industry-led letter to Capitol Hill in opposition of S. 3283, Senator Cory Booker’s...
EPA Publishes Revised Insect Resistant Framework
- On December 22, 2021
On November 23, EPA published a revised proposal to improve Lepidoteran resistance management for plant-incorporated protectants (PIP), as well...
USDA Agricultural Biotechnology Annual Reports Available
- On December 22, 2021
Each year, USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service publishes the annual agricultural biotechnology reports. These reports contain in-depth analysis of national...
U.S. DOL Posts Data on State H-2A Wage Rates
- On December 22, 2021
Workforce shortages have continued to plague the agriculture industry throughout the pandemic, and American farmers continue to rely on...
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Ocean Shipping Reform Bill
- On December 9, 2021
On December 8, by a partisan vote of 364 to 60, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Ocean...
The Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency Modifies Planting, Haying and Grazing Rules
- On December 9, 2021
The USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) is changing haying and grazing requirements for cover crops by making permanent a...
Department of Labor Reviews Wage Rates for H-2A Workers
- On December 9, 2021
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced its intention to review the current wage rates for seasonal foreign...
U.S. House Reaches Deal to Extend Government Funding
- On December 9, 2021
The U.S. House of Representatives has reached a deal on a short-term funding bill that would prevent a government...
Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill Signed into Law
- On November 24, 2021
Following months of negotiations, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package into law on November 15. The $1.2 trillion...
Key Nominations Make Progress
- On November 24, 2021
President Biden announced his nominee for Under Secretary for Food Safety at the USDA, Dr. Jose Emilio Esteban. Dr....
Navigating the Temporary Suspension of the OSHA “Vaccinate or Test” Mandate
- On November 24, 2021
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently issued a temporary order suspending the Occupational Health and...
Build Back Better Package Released
- On November 3, 2021
After weeks of negotiations among lawmakers, specific allocations within the Build Back Better package have been made public, with...
Stakeholders Work to Protect Agriculture Research Funding
- On November 3, 2021
As negotiations continue on the final price tag of the budget reconciliation package, ASTA joined with more than 140...
USDA Pandemic Response and Safety Grant Program Applications Available
- On November 3, 2021
USDA is currently accepting applications for the Pandemic Response and Safety (PRS) Grant Program. Applications must be submitted electronically...
ASTA’s Fan-Li Chou Testifies at House Agriculture Subcommittee Hearing
- On November 3, 2021
On October 26, ASTA’s Vice President of Scientific Affairs and Policy Fan-Li Chou testified at a joint hearing of...
Seed Innovation is the Foundation of Climate Smart Agriculture
- On November 3, 2021
On November 1, ASTA President & CEO Andy LaVigne submitted comments on behalf of the U.S. seed industry in...
ASTA Weighs in on EPA’s Draft Biological Evaluations for Neonicotinoids
- On November 3, 2021
In late August, the Environmental Protection Agency released draft biological evaluations of three neonicotinoids for public comment. ASTA submitted...
ASTA Submits Comments to President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
- On November 3, 2021
The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) recently announced an open comment period on issues relating...
Prominent Administration Nominations, Appointments Move Forward
- On October 20, 2021
The U.S. Senate has confirmed former New Mexico U.S. Representative Xochitl Torres Small as the Undersecretary of the U.S....
USDA Announces Plan to Integrate Climate Adaptation into Mission and Programs
- On October 20, 2021
On October 7, USDA released its climate adaptation and resilience plan detailing how the agency plans to prepare for...
USDA Launches First Phase of Soil Carbon Monitoring Efforts
- On October 20, 2021
On October 12, USDA launched the first phase of its soil carbon monitoring efforts through its Conservation Reserve Program...
Congress Continues Reconciliation Plan Negotiation
- On October 6, 2021
As Congress continues to negotiate the final price tag of the proposed $3.5 trillion dollar budget reconciliation plan, the...
Biden Announces Updated Vaccination Guidelines
- On September 16, 2021
Last week, President Biden announced updated guidelines surrounding COVID-19 vaccinations. The Department of Labor will require employers with 100...
House Announces Proposed Agriculture Package
- On September 16, 2021
As a busy September on Capitol Hill ensues, the forthcoming $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package commands the attention of...
Biden Administration Announces New Judge Nominations
- On September 16, 2021
President Biden has nominated three judges to serve on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction...
NOSB Fall Meeting Agenda Now Available, Comments Encouraged
- On September 16, 2021
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet for a series of virtual meetings during the month of October....
APHIS Draft Guidance for Regulatory Status Review Request Available for Public Comment
- On September 16, 2021
Late last month, USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published for public comment a proposed guidance to requesting...
ASTA Supports Ocean Shipping Relief Act of 2021
- On September 1, 2021
On August 9, ASTA joined an industry letter in support of the Ocean Shipping Relief Act of 2021. Introduced...
House Moves Forward with Reconciliation Package
- On September 1, 2021
After an eventful August on Capitol Hill, House leadership is working to have the budget reconciliation package ready for...
ASTA Supports Conservation Funding
- On August 18, 2021
On August 5, ASTA, along with a dozen agribusiness groups, sent a letter to Senate leaders applauding efforts to...
ASTA Supports Implementation of U.S.-China Phase One Trade Agreement
- On August 18, 2021
On August 5, ASTA joined more than 30 agribusiness groups in sending a letter to Ambassador Tai and Secretary...
New Biden Administration Nominations, Confirmations Announced
- On August 18, 2021
Critical nominations and confirmations continue to take place within the Administration. President Biden announced the nomination of Dr. Chavonda...
Senate Passes Bi-partisan Infrastructure Bill and Budget Reconciliation Plan
- On August 18, 2021
On August 10, by a vote of 69-30, the Senate voted to pass a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill....
Lawsuit Challenges APHIS Final Rule on Agriculture Biotechnology
- On August 5, 2021
On July 26, six non-governmental organizations filed suit against the 2019 USDA Final Rule that modernized the Department’s biotechnology...
APHIS Proposes Amendment to Biotechnology Regulation Exemptions
- On August 5, 2021
On July 16, APHIS published for public comment a proposal to amend the list of exemptions under its biotechnology...
USDA Conservation Reserve Program General Signup Closes July 23
- On July 20, 2021
Eligible producers for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) must submit their offers by...
U.S. Senate Confirms Dr. Eric Lander as Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
- On June 16, 2021
On May 28, the Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. Eric Lander’s nomination as the Director of the White House Office...
ASTA Urges Congress to Approve Infrastructure Package
- On June 16, 2021
On June 10, ASTA signed on to a letter to Senate and House leadership asking Congress to move forward...
ASTA Calls for Increased Investment in Agricultural Research and Innovation
- On June 16, 2021
On June 8, ASTA joined an industry-led letter to President Biden and members of Congress to express the need...
ASTA Signs Letter Outlining Position on Tax Provisions
- On May 19, 2021
On May 10, ASTA joined an industry-led tax coalition letter, signed by over 40 national and regional agriculture organizations,...
Dr. Jewel Bronaugh Confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
- On May 19, 2021
On May 13, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. Jewel Bronaugh as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at USDA....
Cover Crop Flexibility Act Re-Introduced in Senate
- On May 5, 2021
On April 29, U.S. Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) re-introduced the Cover Crop Flexibility Act, which...
ASTA Weighs in on USDA Climate-Smart Ag Strategy
- On May 5, 2021
On April 29, ASTA submitted comments in response to USDA’s request for public comment on a climate-smart agriculture and...
Rebuild Rural Releases Statement on Biden’s Infrastructure Proposal
- On April 21, 2021
In March, President Biden rolled out a $2 trillion American Jobs Plan, the largest infrastructure package in over five...
USDA Report Reveals Planting Intentions
- On April 21, 2021
USDA’s recent National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Prospective Plantings report reveals producers intend to plant an estimated 91.1 million...
ASTA Applauds Bipartisan Efforts to Recognize the Role of Agriculture in Climate Solutions
- On April 21, 2021
On April 20, U.S. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Senator Sheldon...
USDA APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Service Mandates eFile for All Permits
- On April 7, 2021
Effective April 5, USDA APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) is requiring all permit applicants to use the APHIS eFile...
National Organic Standards Board Announces Spring Meeting, Comment Period
- On April 7, 2021
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet virtually on April 28 – 30. The meeting will be proceeded...
ASTA Signs Letter to Congress Urging Changes in Surface Transportation Bill
- On March 25, 2021
On March 17, ASTA joined more than 60 other state, regional and national agricultural associations offering ways to create...
ASTA Urges Secretary Vilsack to Continue Support for Ag Research
- On March 11, 2021
On March 1, ASTA joined over 130 agricultural organizations in sending a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack urging continued...
- Agriculture Research, American Seed Trade Association, ASTA, Research, Secretary Tom Vilsack, Secretary Vilsack, USDA
ASTA Joins Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance
- On February 24, 2021
ASTA is pleased to represent the U.S. seed industry as a new Steering Committee member of the Food and...
ASTA Supports Nomination of Dr. Jewel Bronaugh for Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
- On February 24, 2021
ASTA joined more than 60 leading agricultural associations in signing a letter to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition...
Senate Committee Holds Michael Regan Confirmation Hearing
- On February 9, 2021
On February 3, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works held a confirmation hearing on the nomination of...
- American Seed Trade Association, ASTA, Confirmation Hearings, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, Michael Regan, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Reaches Power-Sharing Agreement
- On February 9, 2021
On February 3, U.S. Senate leadership announced an agreement on how powers will be shared given the current even...
Tom Vilsack Confirmation Vote Moves to the Senate Floor
- On February 9, 2021
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry held a confirmation hearing on February 2 to consider the nomination...
- American Seed Trade Association, ASTA, Biden, Biden Administration, Obama, president biden, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, U.S. Department of Agriculture, United State Department of Agriculture, USDA
ASTA, Rural Infrastructure Coalition Sends Priorities to Biden Administration
- On February 9, 2021
On January 28, ASTA, along with the other members of the Rebuild Rural Coalition sent a letter to President...
- American Seed Trade Association, ASTA, Biden Administration, president biden, Rebuild Rural Coalition, rural infrastructure
Biden Administration Enacts Regulatory Review
- On January 27, 2021
At the beginning of a new Administration, it is common for agencies to review regulations from the previous Administration,...
- Biden, Biden Administration, biden review, regulatory freeze, regulatory review
Final Hemp Rule Published
- On January 26, 2021
On January 19, USDA published its final rule on hemp production. The rule will go into effect March 22....
- Final Hemp Rule, Hemp, Hemp Rule, USDA
APHIS Issues New Guidance for Certain Genetic Modifications in Plants
- On January 26, 2021
On January 19, USDA APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Service (BRS) released Guidance for Preparing Proposals to Exempt Plants with Additional...
USDA Seeking Members for New Advisory Committee on Urban Agriculture
- On January 26, 2021
USDA is seeking nominations for individuals to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on USDA’s urban agriculture initiative. Individuals serving...
ASTA Supports Nomination of Tom Vilsack for Secretary of Agriculture
- On January 26, 2021
ASTA joined 120 leading agricultural associations and signed a letter to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry...
- American Seed Trade Association, ASTA, Biden Administration, Obama Administration, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary Tom Vilsack, Secretary Vilsack, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, USDA, USDA appointments, Vilsack, White House
Recording Available for USDA APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Service 2020 Stakeholder Meeting
- On December 22, 2020
At the December 9, 2020 Stakeholder Meeting, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Biotechnology Regulatory Service...
NIFA-funded Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative Seeking Input
- On December 22, 2020
The Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI) is seeking input from the agriculture research community to guide its direction...
Food & Ag Workers Next in Line for COVID Vaccine
- On December 22, 2020
On Sunday, December 20, a federal advisory panel announced its recommendation that frontline essential workers, including those in the...
ASTA Commends Nomination of Tom Vilsack as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
- On December 22, 2020
On December 14, ASTA’s President & CEO Andy LaVigne issued the following statement in reaction to Tom Vilsack’s nomination...
ASTA Joins Call to Prioritize Vaccines for Food & Ag Workers
- On December 11, 2020
On December 1, ASTA and 25 leading food and ag organizations sent letters to the National Governors Association, White...
- COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine, pandemic, Seed Industry, vaccine, vaccine priority
ASTA Hires Senate Ag Veteran Janae Brady to Head up Government Affairs Efforts
- On December 11, 2020
ASTA is extremely pleased to welcome Janae Brady as its new Senior Director of Government Affairs. Brady previously served...
U.S. Department of Labor Issues Final Rule that updates H-2A Visa Program
- On November 12, 2020
On November 2, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule that updates the methodology for determining...
What do the Recent Elections Mean for Agriculture?
- On November 12, 2020
ASTA is gearing up for a busy 2021! With changes coming to Washington, D.C., we’ll be hitting the ground...
ASTA Signs Letter in Support of Pesticide Law
- On September 30, 2020
ASTA and over 300 agriculture and conservation organizations sent a letter to members of the U.S. Senate and House...
USDA Seeks Comment on Ready-to-Deploy Technologies as Part of the Agriculture Innovation Agenda
- On September 16, 2020
On September 10, USDA published a request for information regarding off-the-shelf innovative technologies and practices that can be readily...
Amazon to Remove Listings for Seeds for Planting by Non-U.S. Residents
- On September 16, 2020
In response to the recent influx of unsolicited seed shipments into the U.S., Amazon has announced that effective September...
EPA Publishes Proposed Rule on Plant Breeding Innovation Policy
- On September 1, 2020
On Tuesday, September 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule “to streamline the regulation of...
- EPA, Gene Editing, Plant Breeding Innovation
Farm Groups Urge USDA to Extend CFAP Deadline, Ease Rules
- On August 19, 2020
On August 7, ASTA, the American Farm Bureau Federation, Agricultural Retailers Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers and numerous commodity...
Assistance for Communities Affected by Recent Midwest Derecho
- On August 19, 2020
ASTA is saddened to see and hear about the devastating damage caused by the recent derecho across the Midwest....
Preparing for FDA Inspections
- On August 19, 2020
As the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) resumes on-site food and feed inspections, ASTA has updated its guidance for...
Legislation Proposing Major Changes to FIFRA Introduced in House, Senate
- On August 5, 2020
While unlikely to get serious consideration in Congress this year, new legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives...
USDA Launches New Farmers.gov Features to Help Farmers Hire Workers
- On August 5, 2020
On July 27, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced new features on USDA’s Farmers.gov website designed to help...
ASTA Joins Growing Coalition Working to Close America’s Digital Divide
- On July 22, 2020
On July 8, ASTA joined forces with a new coalition dedicated to helping close America’s digital divide. Convened by...
USDA Publishes Revisions to Federal Seed Act
- On July 8, 2020
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has formally published new rules to revise the regulations that implement the Federal Seed...
Paycheck Protection Program Extended
- On July 8, 2020
On July 4, President Trump signed into law a bill to extend the $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)...
USMCA Takes Force, Bringing Certainty, Key Reforms for Seed Trade
- On July 8, 2020
On July 1, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USCMA) officially entered into force, modernizing Intellectual Property (IP), phytosanitary and biotechnology policies...
USDA Releases Secure Rule
- On May 28, 2020
On May 14, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the Sustainable, Ecological, Consistent, Uniform, Responsible, Efficient (SECURE)...
- Biotech, Biotechnology, Gene Editing, SECURE, SECURE Rule, Seed, Seed Industry, USDA
USDA Announces CFAP Details
- On May 28, 2020
USDA announced the payment rates for specific crops for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) last week. ASTA has...
New USDA Loan Guarantee Program
- On May 28, 2020
USDA is making $1 billion in loan guarantees available to help rural businesses meet working capital needs. The guarantees...
USPTO Announces U.S. Plant Patents Can be Filed Electronically
- On May 13, 2020
On May 4, the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office announced that U.S. Plant Patent applications would...
USDA Proposes Revisions to Federal Seed Act
- On April 1, 2020
Over the past year, ASTA has collected feedback from its membership to develop formal comments to USDA on the...
Senate Ag Holds Hearing on Agricultural Innovation
- On March 19, 2020
On March 12, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing entitled “Agriculture Innovation and the Federal Biotechnology Regulatory Framework.”...
ASTA Sees Appropriations Win in Fiscal Year 2020 Funding Package
- On March 19, 2020
Earlier this fiscal year, Congress passed a final spending package for the federal government for Fiscal Year 2020. Included...
Thune, Stabenow Introduce Cover Crop Flexibility Act
- On March 19, 2020
On March 12, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) and Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the Cover Crop Flexibility Act of...
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy launches Rural Community Action Guide
- On February 20, 2020
Earlier this month, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and 18 farm/rural partners launched a...
House of Representatives Clears Bill Boosting Ag Specialists at Borders
- On February 20, 2020
On February 10, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would address the shortage of agricultural specialists...
President Trump Signs USMCA
- On January 29, 2020
Today, President Trump today signed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), after easily clearing the Senate in a bipartisan vote earlier...
Senate to Vote Today on Renegotiated USMCA
- On January 16, 2020
The Senate is scheduled to vote today on the renegotiated U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA). We encourage ASTA members to call...
President Trump Recognizes January as National Biotechnology Month
- On January 16, 2020
On January 1, President Trump issued a statement recognizing January as National Biotechnology Month. In recognition of this, the...
House Passes Farm Workforce Modernization Act
- On December 18, 2019
On December 11, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Supported by ASTA, the legislation...
New USMCA Deal Announced
- On December 18, 2019
On December 10, House Democrats and the White House announced a renegotiated U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA) which was signed by...
ASTA Provides Comments to House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
- On December 5, 2019
On November 25, ASTA submitted comments in response to the Request for Information by the House Select Committee on...
