Federal News
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...
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...
Craig, Smucker Introduce Hours-of-Service Legislation
- On November 6, 2019
Reps. Angie Craig (MN-2) and Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) introduced the Responsible & Efficient Agriculture Destination (TREAD) Act on October...
House Introduces Farm Workforce Modernization Act
- On November 6, 2019
On October 30, a bipartisan House coalition led by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-4) introduced...
USDA Issues Interim Final Rule for Hemp Production
- On November 6, 2019
On October 31, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) published for public comment an interim final rule (“the...
Changes to Canadian Labeling Requirements of Treated Seed Effective April 2020
- On October 23, 2019
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will soon require health-and-safety related information on treated-seed labels to appear in both...
ASTA Provides Comments in Support of Bioeconomy
- On October 23, 2019
On October 18, ASTA submitted comments to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in response...
USDA Announces Seeds for Sprouting Export Certification Program
- On September 26, 2019
On September 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the launch of a new Seeds for Sprouting Export...
Buffalo Brand Seeds Briefs National Academy of Science Board
- On August 29, 2019
On Monday, August 19, Dustin Terrell of Buffalo Brand Seeds and former chair of ASTA’s Environmental and Conservation Seed...
APHIS Amends Import Procedures for Tomato, Pepper Seeds
- On August 29, 2019
Effective September 8, 2019, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is amending the entry requirements for...
ASTA Comments on USDA’s Proposed Rule to Update Biotechnology Regulations
- On August 15, 2019
On August 5, ASTA submitted comments on USDA’s proposed rule to update its biotechnology regulations. USDA’s proposal rightly recognizes...
USDA Announces Details of Support Package for Farmers
- On July 31, 2019
On July 25, USDA announced details of the $16 billion aid package aimed at supporting American farmers impacted by...
Senate Committee Clears Bill Boosting Ag Specialists at Borders
- On July 31, 2019
The Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee unanimously voted to advance a bill that would address the shortage...
Congressional Recess Provides Opportunity for Local Congressional Engagement
- On July 31, 2019
During the month of August, members of Congress will leave Washington, D.C. and travel back to their home districts...
ASTA Participates in Congressional Briefing on Innovation in Agriculture
- On July 18, 2019
On July 16, ASTA co-hosted a congressional briefing on innovation in agriculture in conjunction with the House Agriculture Research...
USDA Announces Change to Haying and Grazing Date for Cover Crops on Prevented Planting Acres
- On July 3, 2019
With the recent announcement by USDA of the move to September 1 for haying and grazing of a cover...
White House Issues Executive Order on Agricultural Biotechnology Innovation
- On June 13, 2019
Dr. Fred Gmitter, University of Florida It’s been an exciting couple of weeks for plant breeding innovation, with a...
#BeSure to Follow Label Instructions When Handling Treated Seed
- On April 29, 2019
ICYMI: This growing season ASTA and its members companies are reminding farmers about the importance of seed treatment stewardship....
ASTA Submits Comments on USDA Conservation Practice Standards
- On April 29, 2019
On Thursday, April 25, ASTA submitted formal comments to USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) on programmatic changes the...
Reminder: EPA Seeks Comments on Center for Food Safety Petition
- On March 20, 2019
A reminder that the deadline to submit comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the petition related to...
Congress Passes Bill to Create More Predictable, Effective Evaluation Process for Pesticide Approvals
- On March 6, 2019
On February 28, the U.S. Senate passed ASTA-supported legislation reauthorizing EPA to collect pesticide registration and maintenance fees through...
EPA Seeks Comments on Center for Food Safety Petition
- On February 21, 2019
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on a petition from the Center for Food Safety (CFS)...
Register Now for ASTA’s 2019 Storm the Hill, April 2-3
- On February 21, 2019
It’s time to make your voice heard on Capitol Hill at ASTA’s annual Storm the Hill legislative conference! Join...
USDA Releases National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
- On January 16, 2019
On December 20, 2018 USDA released its final rules for National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (NBFDS). The implementation date...
What the Government Shutdown Means for the 2018 Farm Bill
- On January 16, 2019
We are currently on day-27 of the government shutdown, which began Saturday, December 22. This is officially the longest...
Welcome to the New 116th Congress
- On January 16, 2019
The 116th Congress was formally sworn into office on January 3, 2019. Breaking from tradition, the Republicans picked up...
USDA APHIS Creates Recommended Best Practices for Reducing Weed Seeds in Soybean
- On December 18, 2018
Weed seeds in commodity exports are a serious trade concern. Taking steps to reduce weed seeds in soybeans will...
We have a Farm Bill!
- On December 18, 2018
After easily passing in both the Senate and the House last week, the Farm Bill is officially heading to...
FDA Releases Action Plan on Biotechnology Innovation
- On November 7, 2018
On October 30, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a plan to “advance plant and animal biotechnology...
ASTA Signs onto Farm Bill Support Letters
- On October 24, 2018
ASTA—along with the American Farm Bureau Federation, CropLife America, The Fertilizer Institute, National Corn Growers Association and other agriculture...
SCOTUS Ruling Brings Big Changes for Out-of-State Online Retailers
- On October 24, 2018
If your company is doing online/catalogue business in states where you do not have a physical presence, you may...
Food Safety Modernization Act info on ASTA Members Only Site
- On October 9, 2018
New tools regarding the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and its impact on the seed industry are now available...
Congress Misses Farm Bill Deadline
- On October 9, 2018
The 2014 Farm Bill expired on Sunday, September 30, with Congress still debating differences between the House and Senate...
Trump Appoints Angle as NIFA Director
- On September 13, 2018
On August 31, President Trump appointed J. Scott Angle to be director of the National Institute of Food and...
ASTA Expresses Concern about Proposed NIFA Move
- On September 13, 2018
ASTA, along with a number of universities and associations representing agriculture and research entities, recently signed on to a...
ASTA Outlines Priorities for Farm Bill
- On September 13, 2018
ASTA is urging members of the Farm Bill Conference Committee to include several key provisions important to the seed...
USDA Provides Assistance Package to Farmers Impacted by Tariffs
- On August 30, 2018
On August 27, USDA provided details on an assistance package for farmers impacted by tariffs and other trade disruptions....
ASTA Urges Passage of Farm Bill before Looming Sept. 30 Deadline
- On August 16, 2018
On August 13, ASTA and a diverse group of banking, farm and conservation organizations sent a letter to leaders...
- ASTA, Conference Committee, Farm Bill, House of Representatives, Senators
USDA Offers Assistance to Farmers Impacted by Retaliatory Tariffs
- On July 31, 2018
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has crafted a short-term relief strategy that will authorize up to $12 billion...
House Votes to Initiate Farm Bill Conference
- On July 19, 2018
In a procedural vote on July 18, the House of Representatives paved the way to begin conference proceedings on...
U.S. Dept. of Transportation Requirements Impact Transport of Ag Commodities
- On July 5, 2018
The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires commercial vehicle drivers to install electronic logging...
Farm Bill Moves on to Conference
- On July 5, 2018
Last week, the Senate passed its version of the Farm Bill in a bipartisan vote of 86-11. The legislation...
Senate Advances Farm Bill
- On June 20, 2018
On June 13, the U.S. Senate advanced S.3042 (the “Farm Bill” out of Committee by a vote of 20-1....
Forward Momentum on Farm Bill
- On June 5, 2018
June is shaping up to be the month of the Farm Bill. After the House of Representatives failed to...
APHIS Hosted Electronic Phytosanitary Certification Webinar on May 22
- On May 23, 2018
On May 22, USDA APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine hosted a webinar to provide an update on its Electronic...
- ASTA, Electronic Phytosanitary Certification
Congress Fails to Advance Farm Bill
- On May 23, 2018
After two days of debate by the U.S. House of Representatives, the Farm Bill failed to secure enough votes...
USDA Releases Proposed Rule for National GMO Labeling Law
- On May 8, 2018
On May 3, USDA released for public comment its proposed rule for the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard. The...
House Agriculture Committee Advances Farm Bill
- On April 26, 2018
On Wednesday, April 18, the House Agriculture Committee advanced H.R. 2 – the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018...
Retaliatory Tariffs from China Impact Agricultural Commodities
- On April 11, 2018
In response to President Trump’s proposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, China announced retaliatory tariffs on 128 products...
199A Tax Fix Included in Omnibus Spending Bill
- On March 27, 2018
After several months of negotiations and near misses, ASTA is pleased to report that the much-needed amendment resolving the...
ASTA Participates in 2018 Ag & Food Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
- On March 27, 2018
Trade and technology were the focus of the 2018 Agri-Pulse Ag and Food Policy Summit March 21 in Washington,...
FSMA Webinar Available on ASTA Members-Only Site
- On February 28, 2018
Did you miss last week’s webinar on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)? A full recording is now available...
ASTA Members Head to Capitol Hill to Advocate for Key Trade Programs in the Farm Bill
- On February 28, 2018
On February 27, a group of ASTA members led by ASTA’s International Executive Committee met with Senate and House...
ASTA Partners with NCFAR on Seed-Focused Hill Seminar
- On February 13, 2018
On Monday, more than 70 Hill staffers, partners and media attended a seminar by the National Coalition for Food...
New Seed Treatment Stewardship Communications Resources Available
- On January 23, 2018
Seed treatments provide farmers with an economical means of protecting seeds and seedlings against early-season insect pests and diseases—resulting...
Wondering How FDA’s Recent FSMA Enforcement Guidance Impacts YOU? Join ASTA’s Webinar on Feb. 22
- On January 23, 2018
If you’re a seed conditioning facility that sells discarded seed materials for consumption by either animals or humans, you’ve...
ASTA Engaged in Discussions on Tax Reform Language Fix for Sec. 199
- On January 23, 2018
After Congress’ recent passage of the tax reform/tax cut legislation, it became obvious that an unintended change to the...
FDA Announces FSMA Enforcement Discretion for Seed Conditioning Facilities
- On January 9, 2018
On January 4, FDA issued Guidance on FSMA enforcement discretion that contains good news for seed conditioning facilities. FDA will exercise...
ASTA Encouraged by Agriculture and Rural Prosperity Task Force Report
- On January 9, 2018
On January 8, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue presented the findings of the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural...
Thanks for Supporting NAFTA Grassroots Day!
- On December 21, 2017
On December 6, many of you joined with ASTA and other agriculture organizations in a social media effort in...
New Video Explores the Benefits and Safety of Seed Treatments
- On December 21, 2017
Check out ASTA’s new video to hear directly from member company representatives about the many benefits, and safety, of...
ASTA’s Farm and Lawn Seed Conference Highlights Cover Crops, Environmental and Conservation Seed Issues
- On November 14, 2017
On November 5 and 6, ASTA held its annual Farm and Lawn Seed Conference in conjunction with the Western...
ASTA Supports USDA Action and Calls for Clarity on Plant Breeding Innovation Policy
- On November 14, 2017
On November 6, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced it...
National Pollinator Garden Network Closing in on Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Goal
- On October 30, 2017
On October 16, the National Pollinator Garden Network (NPGN) convened at the American Horticultural Society’s River Farm headquarters outside...
Congress Urges Federal Coordination on Plant Breeding Innovation Policy
- On October 17, 2017
On October 17, a bi-partisan group of 79 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to USDA...
