By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. It could change tomorrow, but at this moment nothing is getting done in this town. There are talks going on and ideas being evaluated. President Biden met with the Group of Seven in Europe and the NATO nations agreed to join together and challenge China’s behavior on …
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. Two weeks ago, Colonial Pipeline was shut down. On the East Coast we lost 45% of our gas and oil. Cars and trucks without fuel. Ransomware thieves were given $4.4 million to turn the oil faucet back on. I said in my program 2 weeks ago – …
One of the major complaints of smaller meat and poultry establishments is the cost of USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) overtime and holiday inspection services. Meat and poultry establishments that are subject to mandatory inspection receive FSIS inspection services free of charge for each 8-hour shift the plant normally operates. Many plants only …
USDA to Provide Overtime Fee Relief to Small and Very-Small Establishments Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. President Biden last Friday released a $6 trillion budget plan for our next fiscal year beginning October 1, 2021. The Administration has called it a “bold and responsible budget.” I conclude that it is “bold”, but the debt level that is projected will continue to grow every …
Share on linkedin By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. Politicians here in DC are always looking for someone to blame for all the problems that we face. China is at the top of that list. Congress is writing a powerful anti-China package of bills. There is no question about it. China has been …
For many years in the Senate, Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) teamed up with Senator George McGovern (D-SD) to create a legacy of bipartisan leadership on nutrition. Working together in the 1970s, they completely reformed the Food Stamp Program (now SNAP); established the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations; with Senator Humphrey, created the Women’s Infants …
Bob Dole and George McGovern: A Nutrition Legacy that Continues Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. I have not been here at the farm in Illinois since last September when we started harvest. The global pandemic has shut a lot of us in, but I have my vaccine shots now and I feel a lot safer. My family members and farm team here …
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. Big Change – we can all remember that President Trump had no interest or concern about “climate change.” When elected he quickly withdrew the U.S. from the World Climate Accord. Thursday this week is “Earth Day” and President Biden will host a virtual climate conference with more …
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. President Biden declared March 23rd as National Agriculture Day. He said, “I call upon all Americans to join me in recognizing and affirming our commitment to and appreciation for our farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and those who work in the agriculture sector across the nation.” The President’s …
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. I want to have an open mind and be fair as I evaluate the policies advocated by President Biden and our new Congress. It is too soon to know where we are going on trade. There are a lot of disputes and not many easy solutions. We …
John Dillard, a principal attorney in the USDA – FSIS Practice Group, authored the following article on a recent citizen’s petition to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The article appears in The National Provisioner’s March issue. On Jan. 25, 2021, a coalition of food safety activist groups and individuals led by Center …
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. We all know or should know that we’re going to have a $1.9 trillion relief package. It does target the needy, the hungry, and unemployed. But there are billions and billions for others to buy political support. Enough on that subject. There are other developments that can …
The UN Food System Summit (FSS), to be hosted by Secretary-General António Guterres as a part of the UN General Assembly this September, is generating increased attention for several reasons: It’s fast approaching. Hunger is on the rise. The new Biden/Harris Administration is committed to international engagement and hunger reduction. US agriculture has much …
The UN FOOD SYSTEM SUMMIT: Upside and Downside for US Agriculture Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. I know that the battle over how much we spend and what we spend the money on in the $1.9 trillion Relief Bill will dominate our Congress. But I want to talk about trade now. In agriculture we are expecting a good year after 4 or 5 …
John Dillard, a principal attorney in the USDA – Packers and Stockyards group, authored the following article on recent amendments to the Packers and Stockyards Act establishing a Statutory Dealer Trust. The article appears in Farm Journal’s mid-February issue. Cattle dealers play an integral role of the movement of livestock by buying cattle, creating …
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. President Biden has a long list of priorities. Control of the Coronavirus heads the list. He has told us that he wants to work across the aisle, but if the Democrats run through Congress the $1.9 trillion relief package without some meaningful compromise, where is the shared …
With climate change discussions being elevated on a local, regional, and global scale, many individuals are considering how their personal choices, including foods they consume, impact the environment. This has translated to a resurgence of interest in carbon labeling food products. Now that we understand the basics of carbon labeling and what it means for …
President Biden recently issued an Executive Order (EO) to harness the federal government’s purchasing power to bolster domestic manufacturing. The “Strengthening Buy American Provisions, Ensuring Future of America is Made in America by All of America’s Workers” intends to support American industry and American workers. Overall, this EO looks to close loopholes in existing “Buy American” policies …
How Does Buying American Benefit U.S. Food, Agriculture, and Medical Products? Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. When you hear this radio commentary, we will have a new President. Joe Biden will face a long and difficult list of challenges. Topping the list will be the Coronavirus and a $1.9 trillion stimulus to lift our economy. That huge spending bill has not passed the …
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will host a webinar to provide updates on COVID-19 vaccine implementation for food and agriculture workers on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 3:00 PM Eastern. The webinar will also discuss vaccine safety and confidence as well as recommendations for vaccine prioritization. The panelists for the webinar …
The National Institute of Animal Agriculture invited Chelsea Good, Vice President of Government & Industry Affairs at Livestock Marketing Association and John Dillard, Principal Attorney in the USDA Practice Group at OFW Law to provide insight on the incoming Biden Administration and what it will mean for the animal agriculture industry. From the Barn to …
NIAA: What to Expect for Animal Agriculture in a Biden Administration Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. I am so tired of these “peaceful” rallies that end up destroying property, looting, and burning flags and signs. We had a dozen of our large cities face this last summer and fall, but by far the worst is the assault on our own Capitol last week. …
John Block Reports: President Biden’s Opportunity Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. We have our federal government funding bill passed and signed by President Trump and a generous relief package also. Now is the time to give up on the election challenges. However, I would stress that we need to make sure that future elections are fair and honest. …
John Block Reports: Using Farmers to Fight Global Warming Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. It’s Christmas. And the New Year is almost upon us. This year has been one for the books. The Coronavirus has upset everything. Millions of jobs have been lost. Some families can’t pay their rent. Small businesses are going bankrupt. New virus cases are surging. One piece …
John Block Reports: Christmas Time… Definitely – Pandemic Relief… Maybe Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. After the election we all read about President Trump challenging the results. However, we also are reading about President-Elect Biden’s possible nominees for his cabinet. We know they are all important, but for agriculture and rural America, the choice for Secretary of Agriculture has been at the …
John Block Reports: Biden Picks Tom Vilsack to Return to USDA Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. The transition to a new President and new team to lead our country is in process. However, Joe Biden will not step into the White House until January 20th. In the meantime, there is still work to be done. The federal government will shut down on December …
John Block Reports: The Biden Administration’s Transition Read More »
Home » Agriculture & Agribusiness » Election and More By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. We just celebrated another Thanksgiving. At least, I hope we celebrated it. I know these are chaotic times. The worst problem is that the coronavirus has us isolated and shut down. Also, it may not be on your mind right now but …
John Block Reports: Thanksgiving Dinner in America During COVID-19 Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. With the Biden Presidency approaching, climate change has been elevated to talk and perhaps even action which will affect agriculture and rural America. Powerful voices in our ag industry are forming the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance. The groups involved include the American Farm Bureau Federation, Environmental …
John Block Reports: Climate Change Policy from the US to the EU Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. The election is behind us. There was no “blue wave.” After the Courts review the election process to see if it was fraud free – no corruption — then the winner will be formally declared. As of now, it looks like Joe Biden will get the job. …
John Block Reports: A Democratic President – What Happens Next? Read More »
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. As I write this week’s commentary, we still don’t have all the details of the election results. Here is what we do know. Republicans will maintain control of the Senate. That is a big deal. Even if Biden does push President Trump out, it will be by …
John Block Reports: 2020 Presidential Election Commentary Read More »
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides valuable assistance to millions of Americans who need help because they have lost their jobs, do not earn sufficient money to meet their needs, or have been emergency victims of the COVID-19 pandemic. A study by USDA’s Economic Research Service found that a hypothetical $1 billion increase in …
By Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, John R. Block. The Presidential election battle rages on. Biden leads in the polls. But don’t forget that four years ago Hillary Clinton was leading, and the Trump victory shocked the world. Think about this – in one respect, whoever wins, rural America and Agriculture will come out on …
John Block Reports: World Food Program Wins the Nobel Peace Prize Read More »
On Wednesday, June 16, 2020, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) hosted a public meeting to review their draft scientific report. A new edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans is published every 5-years and developed in three stages: (I) Reviewing the science; (II) developing the guidelines; (III) implementation. The most recent meeting marks the …
2020 Dietary Guidelines Near the End of Stage One Read More »
FDA has published a letter of enforcement discretion, which it sent to legal counsel for Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc., that authorizes a qualified health claim (QHC) for specific cranberry products when consumed in specific amounts by specific people. The substantiation for the diet-disease relationship warranted a “limited and inconsistent” or “limited” scientific evidence qualifier. Based on …
The coronavirus has dominated the news cycle over the last five months and has disrupted nearly every industry, particularly agriculture and forestry. Leaders, innovators, and policymakers in these fields are looking for solutions that will mitigate future supply chain disruptions like the ones experienced due to the coronavirus. Therefore, it is not surprising that climate …
Policy Solutions to Climate Change through Agriculture and Forestry Read More »
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