“Hold up, wait a minute, let me put some GM in it.” — wheat researchers, probably
Wheat farmers knead this: The USDA announced the deregulation of a drought-tolerant trait in wheat from an Argentina-based company, which means there’s a possibility of a rising GM wheat product.
Bread and butter: The USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service deemed the HB4 wheat is unlikely to pose any more plant pest risk than similar strains, which means sourdough starters and wheat farmers alike can rejoice—this product can be grown and bred in the U.S.
Soundbite: “The HB4 trait has tremendous potential—particularly for growers in Kansas who, in 2023 had the smallest crop since 1966 because of drought.” — Kyler Millershaski, National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) board member and wheat farmer in Kansas
A toast to wheat: The U.S. Wheat Associates and NAWG are thankful for the USDA’s decision to “provide a robust, science-based process that affords a pathway for the cultivation of the HB4 trait, which has the potential to benefit both farmers and consumers.”
But wait a second there, swheatheart: This is only the beginning, the drilling if you will, of a long road to cultivation: field trials still need to happen. An important aspect for the wheat industry to manage is the export market. Obtaining regulatory approval for HB4 wheat from the countries the U.S. exports to is crucial.
The wheat is already waving: The Argentinian company, Bioceres Crop Solutions, has already received approvals in Nigeria, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, and South Africa, and has applied for approval in several other countries. Farmers in Argentina and Brazil are already growing HB4 wheat. Bioceres is also planning field trials in Australia.
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Congress to EPA: What’s Your BEEF with Meat Packers?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is considering new regulations that take aim at meat and poultry processors.
And some members of Congress have a BEEF with the EPA’s proposals.
The proposed rules: In late January, the EPA released the details of its proposed “Clean Water Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Meat and Poultry Products Point source category.”
Huh?
Basically, the EPA formally published its proposals to combat wastewater contaminants that come from slaughterhouses.
Okay… that makes more sense.
At the heart of the rules proposal is a concern from environmental groups about nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants that originate from slaughterhouses. In some cases, the wastewater goes directly into waterways. In other cases, the water goes to municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
But not everyone is on board with the EPA’s suggestions…
Congress responds: Last week, two U.S. representatives—Eric Burlison (MO) and Ron Estes (KS)—pushed back against the EPA and introduced the “Banning EPA’s Encroachment of Facilities (BEEF) Act.” If passed and signed by President Biden, the law would prohibit the EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the rule.
According to the lawmakers, the proposed rules place undue burden on small processors—costs that can be absorbed by larger companies.
Soundbite: “The… proposed regulation isn’t just an attack on family-run small businesses, it’s an attack on rural communities,” said Burlison. “These meat and poultry processors are the lifeblood of our communities. The BEEF Act… lets these hardworking Americans do what they do best, produce safe, affordable food for our families.”
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