USDA AMS

USDA Announces Appointments to the Hass Avocado Board

November 2, 2022 USDA AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the appointment of seven members to the Hass Avocado Board. Appointed are two producer members, two producer alternates, one importer member and one importer alternate to fill three-year terms expiring on October 31, 2025, and one vacant importer alternate seat to fill the remainder of the term which expires on October 31, 2024. …

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service Reminds Buyers of Responsibilities for Preserving PACA Trust Rights in Electronic Invoicing

September 27, 2022 USDA AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is reminding buyers and sellers of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables subject to the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) of the actions that must be taken for a seller to preserve their PACA trust rights in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or electronic invoicing (collectively, “EDI”) systems. …

USDA Announces $21.9 Million in Grants Awarded to Further Strengthen Meat and Poultry Supply Chains; Build New and Better Markets through Investments and Technical Assistance

September 6, 2022 USDA AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced an additional $21.9 million of funding is being awarded to 111 grant projects through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant Program (MPIRG), bringing total funding to $54.6 million. This year’s awards will fund projects in 37 states. The funding will help strengthen and develop new market opportunities for meat and poultry processors throughout the United States. …

USDA Publishes Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards Proposed Rule

August 9, 2022 USDA AMS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) previewed the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) proposed rule in the Federal Register. With this publication, USDA proposes requirements for organic poultry and livestock living conditions, care, transport, and slaughter. …

USDA Announces Plant Variety Protection Board Appointments

August 3, 2022 USDA AMS

The Plant Variety Protection Act provides legal protection in the form of intellectual property rights to developers of new varieties of plants and calls for a Plant Variety Protection Board. The board consists of 14 members representing farmers, the seed industry, trade and professional associations, and public and private institutions involved with developing new plant varieties. Members of the board provide oversight and guidance to the program on plant variety protection issues. …