6 years, 6 months ago AFBF
Trump Calls Trudeau a Friend During NAFTA Talks
President Donald Trump called Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, (true-doh) a “great friend” as tensions rise amidst the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations this week. However, as Bloomberg reports, Trump showed no signs of retreat regarding NAFTA, saying “It’s possible we won’t be able to make a deal and it’s possible we will.” Farm and industry groups were raising alarms this week amidst plans for agriculture negotiations during the current round of discussion, and talks that the U.S. may be pushing it’s NAFTA partners to walk away from the agreement. The American Farm Bureau Federation this week joined Farmers for Free Trade to defend the agreement. The agenda for the current round of negotiations includes discussions on financial services, labor rules, agriculture, digital trade, and investment and energy, according to the agenda. Trudeau met with Trump to “emphasize the importance” of the agreement to the three member countries. Trudeau also met with the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.
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Britain Could Join NAFTA If Brexit Deal Fails
If the North American Free Trade Agreement survives the renegotiation effort, The United Kingdom may be interested in joining the pact. Reuters-London reports Britain could join a formal trade alliance with the United States, Canada and Mexico if the European Union refuses to finalize a post-Brexit trade deal by 2019. Reuters says that if Britain did join NAFTA, exporters to the EU and North America would have to produce goods in accordance with the two separate sets of rules, according to trade analysts. Britain, whose regulation has been within the EU for over 40 years, would also have to shift towards the North American model for trade. That comes as the BBC reports the profitability of the average U.K. farm could be cut in half after Brexit. In 2014, the U.K. was reported to rely on the EU for 27 percent of its food imports. Just four percent of food items in the U.K. originated from North America, and 54 percent of food consumed in the U.K., originated in the U.K.
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Report Recommends Changes for NASS Data Collection
A new report suggests the Department of Agriculture should develop a new system for gathering information for crop reports and other surveys. USDA contracted with the National Academy of Sciences three years ago to audit how USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service collects data. The report highlighted that NASS could make several changes over time to improve the accuracy of its reports, as well as develop guidelines that make data collection more transparent and reproducible, according to DTN. Specifically, USDA asked the academy to look at how NASS does county-level crop estimates as well as cash-rent estimates. The report says a vision for NASS in 2025 should focus on changing the Agricultural Statistics Board to models that incorporate multiple data sources. NASS uses multiple data sources through the board. However, the report says the current process is” inherently subjective and neither transparent nor reproducible." A USDA NASS spokesperson called the report a “real opportunity” for improvements.
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USDA Suspends CRP Enrollment
The Department of Agriculture announced this week that it would process many pending eligible offers for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program. USDA also announced it would suspend accepting most new offers until later in the 2018 fiscal year. All current, eligible CRP continuous enrollment offers made through September 30th, 2017, except for those made under the Pollinator Habitat Initiative, will be approved, according to USDA leadership. However, acceptance of most offers going forward will be suspended to provide time to review CRP allocation levels, and to avoid exceeding the statutory cap of 24 million acres. The CRP acreage cap is a provision of the 2014 Farm Bill. Current enrollment is about 23.5 million acres nationwide. The suspension will continue until later in the 2018 fiscal year.
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Perdue Traveling to Europe
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is in Europe this week participating in the G-7 Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Italy. Perdue will also deliver remarks at the World Food Day observance in Rome, and engage in policy dialogue with his counterparts in London and Madrid. The European Union is a top agricultural market for U.S. exports. However, Perdue says, that “while he values the relationship” with the EU, “there is work to be done” to address trade barriers. Perdue was expected to meet with his counterpart in Britain Thursday, then take part in the G-7 meetings starting Sunday. Perdue will then travel to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, where he and the other G-7 agriculture ministers will join Pope Francis at the World Food Day observance Monday. The trip will wrap up in Spain early next week, where Perdue will meet with his counterpart in Madrid.
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Irma Damage to Cattle Industry in Florida Estimates over $200,000
The Florida Department of Agriculture said this week that damages to the states beef cattle industry are estimated at 237.5 million in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Florida surveys cattle ranches after the category four hurricane hit the state, and found more than 100 dead animals reported, along with 187,000 calves waiting to be shipped to out-of-state feedlots. Forage crops were severely damaged and floods and widespread damage to ranch infrastructure. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports total crops losses to beef cattle producers in Florida are estimated to be $14 million. Of the more than 18,000 beef cattle ranches in Florida, an estimated 6,000 suffered significant damages to structures, fences, and equipment, and have large amounts of storm debris that must be cleaned up. Florida estimates fencing needs will cost the states ranch operators $24 million, and infrastructure repairs will cost $90 million.
