Agribusiness Update for Tuesday 3/12/13

This is the Agribusiness Update...I’m Greg Martin...

The Office of Management and Budget has released proposed changes to Country-of-Origin Labeling rules. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says the proposed changes are an excellent response to decisions by the World Trade Organization that called for changes to our COOL implementation. He says the set of rules released Friday are a win-win for farmers, ranchers and consumers.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has responded to the letter sent by Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and eight others regarding concerns over the proposal to furlough meat and poultry product inspectors as a result of sequestration. Vilsack agreed that furloughing FSIS employees - including food safety inspectors - would have an adverse impact on those employees and the American public.

Washington State is losing their top ag guy. Ag Director Dan Newhouse is stepping down as of April 1st. Newhouse plans to return to his 600-acre farm near Sunnyside. Newhouse has been in the position since February 2009 and will get back to growing hops, grapes, tree fruit and alfalfa.

That’s today’s Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network.