In an important move for independent ranchers, today U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced legislation (S. 4282) aimed at preventing the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) from implementing mandatory electronic identification on livestock that moves in interstate commerce. Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) has followed this issue and has been supporting efforts […]
Federal News
New USDA Mandate to Test Dairy Cattle for Avian Flu Despite No Evidence HPAI is Foodborne
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced that all dairy cattle must be tested for HPAI prior to moving across state lines. The USDA order requires a negative test from an approved National Animal Health Laboratory. A number of recent reports have raised concerns about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) spreading […]
USDA May Soon Implement RFID; Burden of Electronic Animal Identification Will Fall on Independent Ranchers
In January 2023, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposed a rule that would require that animal traceability regulations require “official” animal ear tags to be both visually and electronically readable. This rule is part of HR 4366, which is the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024, which contains many items. Please click […]
Increase the Supply of Farm-Raised Meats; Support the PRIME Act and Changes to FMIA
Small livestock farmers and custom meat processors would love to sell more meat locally. And consumers want to buy meat from local farms. The problem is federal policy makes this exchange extremely difficult. There are two bills on the table that will support the supply of farm-raised meats by improving access to local meat processing […]
Use New Comment Portal for 2023 Farm Bill to Support On-Farm Slaughter
Our friends at Rural Vermont are petitioning the members of the U.S. House and Senate Agriculture and Appropriations Committees to add clarifying language to the Federal Meat Inspection Act. The House Agriculture Committee has just created a portal for direct stakeholder feedback. This portal can be used to urge members of the committee to clarify language for […]