State News
Ohio
USDA Announces Changes to US Beef Grade Standards:
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the voluntary U.S. Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef . The update will provide companies using the USDA grading program with additional options - dentition or age documentation - to establish the maturity of animals and ensure that cattle 30 months old or less are included in the youngest maturity group recognized as "beef" (A maturity). Skeletal and muscular evidence will still be used to determine maturity for those animals older than 30 months of age.
The changes to the standards were implemented on December 18. Prior to that date, companies using the voluntary grading program must provide documentation to the AMS Supervisor and Graders describing how carcasses over 30 months of age (MOA) are identified and segregated within the plan. Beginning December 18, companies may only offer carcasses for initial quality and yield grading. Carcasses held as "regrades" from the previous week should not be presented for grading.
US Farm Exports Hit Third Highest Level on Record:
U.S. agricultural exports totaled $140.5 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2017, an increase of $10.9 billion from the previous year, representing the third-highest level on record. The U.S. agricultural sector once again posted an annual trade surplus, which reached $21.3 billion, rising nearly 30 percent above 2016 levels. China was the largest export customer for U.S. agricultural products, with shipments valued at $22 billion, followed closely by Canada at $20.4 billion. U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico reached $18.6 billion, a six percent gain from last year, while exports to Japan grew 12 percent, valued at $11.8 billion. The European Union, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines rounded out the top 10 markets. The data revealed significant gains for several meat products exports. Beef exports, for example, rose 16 percent to $7.1 billion, and pork exports grew 14 percent to $6.4 billion.
FDA Finds Significant Progress in Sales and Distribution Data for Antimicrobials Used in Food-Producing Animals:
An annual report released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed for the first time significant declines in both the sale and distribution of antimicrobials for use in food-producing animals in 2016. According to the report, 2016 domestic sales and distribution of antimicrobial drugs decreased 10 percent compared to 2015 figures. Meanwhile, U.S. sales of medically important antimicrobials approved for use in food animals fell 14 percent in 2016, with declines in all individual drug classes. In 2016, domestic sales and distribution of medically important antimicrobials accounted for 60 percent of the total domestic sales of all antimicrobials approved for use in food-producing animals.
Each year, animal drug companies are required to report to FDA antimicrobial sales and distribution data as mandated under the Animal Drug User Fee Act. In addition to reporting sales and distribution data for actively marketed antimicrobial drugs approved for use in food-producing animals by drug class, medical importance, route of administration, indication and dispensing status, the 2016 report presents species-specific estimates of the data.
MSMA consults with NAMI, AAMP, NGA, and FMI on articles
Please send any feedback on current legislation or legislative ideas to Kristin Mullins.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is revising the voluntary U.S. Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef . The update will provide companies using the USDA grading program with additional options - dentition or age documentation - to establish the maturity of animals and ensure that cattle 30 months old or less are included in the youngest maturity group recognized as "beef" (A maturity). Skeletal and muscular evidence will still be used to determine maturity for those animals older than 30 months of age.
The changes to the standards were implemented on December 18. Prior to that date, companies using the voluntary grading program must provide documentation to the AMS Supervisor and Graders describing how carcasses over 30 months of age (MOA) are identified and segregated within the plan. Beginning December 18, companies may only offer carcasses for initial quality and yield grading. Carcasses held as "regrades" from the previous week should not be presented for grading.
US Farm Exports Hit Third Highest Level on Record:
U.S. agricultural exports totaled $140.5 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2017, an increase of $10.9 billion from the previous year, representing the third-highest level on record. The U.S. agricultural sector once again posted an annual trade surplus, which reached $21.3 billion, rising nearly 30 percent above 2016 levels. China was the largest export customer for U.S. agricultural products, with shipments valued at $22 billion, followed closely by Canada at $20.4 billion. U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico reached $18.6 billion, a six percent gain from last year, while exports to Japan grew 12 percent, valued at $11.8 billion. The European Union, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines rounded out the top 10 markets. The data revealed significant gains for several meat products exports. Beef exports, for example, rose 16 percent to $7.1 billion, and pork exports grew 14 percent to $6.4 billion.
FDA Finds Significant Progress in Sales and Distribution Data for Antimicrobials Used in Food-Producing Animals:
An annual report released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed for the first time significant declines in both the sale and distribution of antimicrobials for use in food-producing animals in 2016. According to the report, 2016 domestic sales and distribution of antimicrobial drugs decreased 10 percent compared to 2015 figures. Meanwhile, U.S. sales of medically important antimicrobials approved for use in food animals fell 14 percent in 2016, with declines in all individual drug classes. In 2016, domestic sales and distribution of medically important antimicrobials accounted for 60 percent of the total domestic sales of all antimicrobials approved for use in food-producing animals.
Each year, animal drug companies are required to report to FDA antimicrobial sales and distribution data as mandated under the Animal Drug User Fee Act. In addition to reporting sales and distribution data for actively marketed antimicrobial drugs approved for use in food-producing animals by drug class, medical importance, route of administration, indication and dispensing status, the 2016 report presents species-specific estimates of the data.
MSMA consults with NAMI, AAMP, NGA, and FMI on articles
Please send any feedback on current legislation or legislative ideas to Kristin Mullins.
Kentucky
Lawmakers returned to Frankfort after the new year for their 60-day legislative session. Republicans begin the year with firm party control, its second year in charge after decades of Democrat controlled session. In year two, the Legislature will have to write a budget, while mulling changes to a public pension system, all the while under a cloud of controversy over inappropriate sexual behavior. One of the first acts in the session was the resignation of Speaker Jeff Hoover, who came under sexual harassment claims back in October from a woman who worked for the House Republican caucus. Hoover had resigned as speaker in November, but officially resigned from the House in early January.
Couple other items to watch between now and April 13:
Couple other items to watch between now and April 13:
- Pension System – Kentucky’s retirement system is one of the worst-funded systems in the country. By rough estimates, the government is at least $41 billion dollars short in payment of benefits to workers. Governor Bevin and Republican leaders have been working on a new plan to address the shortfall.
- Tax Reform – Republicans are eyeing an opportunity to re-write the state’s code with firm one-party control. Changes to the tax rate and sales tax exemptions are both on the list of potential changes.
- Budget Shortfall – As noted above, the Legislature is going to have to spend a considerable amount of available revenue to address the crippling pension system, leaving budget negotiations up in the arm and areas for potential cuts on the table.
You can check out the Kentucky House and Senate districts by following the links below.
House: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/GIS/pdf/HH001M01c.pdf
Senate: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/GIS/pdf/SH001A02c.pdf
House: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/GIS/pdf/HH001M01c.pdf
Senate: http://www.lrc.ky.gov/GIS/pdf/SH001A02c.pdf
Tennessee
The Tennessee Legislature kicked off its legislative work on January 9, greeted by a number of protesters calling for Medicaid expansion and debated why rural hospitals are closing across the state. Top of the list this session will be efforts to address the state’s ongoing opioid epidemic and various health care needs.
A heavy rate of turnover is likely during this year’s November elections, as a number of lawmakers have already announced they won’t be back and others – including House Speaker and gubernatorial hopeful Beth Harwell – seeking higher office. Term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has indicated his legislative agenda will be less robust and ambitious than in the past. In addition to the opioid crisis, medical marijuana seems to be inching closer to a reality in Tennessee, nearly passing the finish line late last year.
A heavy rate of turnover is likely during this year’s November elections, as a number of lawmakers have already announced they won’t be back and others – including House Speaker and gubernatorial hopeful Beth Harwell – seeking higher office. Term-limited Republican Gov. Bill Haslam has indicated his legislative agenda will be less robust and ambitious than in the past. In addition to the opioid crisis, medical marijuana seems to be inching closer to a reality in Tennessee, nearly passing the finish line late last year.
(State issues are monitored in consultation with the Kentucky Retail Federation, the Tennessee Grocers Association, and FMI)