News Briefs

Farm Bill Hearing For Senate Ag

The Senate Agriculture Committee held its first Farm Bill hearing in the new Congress on Feb. 1, 2023, with newly sworn in USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Alexis Taylor, a key witness. Other witnesses were Jenny Moffitt, USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, and Sarah Charles, Assistant to the Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development. The hearing covered USDA export promotion and U.S. food aid programs, both of which the American Peanut Council is involved with to benefit the U.S. peanut industry. USDA is providing $3.3 million in 2023 to APC for its export promotion programs. USAID purchased more than $100 million of RUTF/RUSF products in FY2022 and has committed to purchasing an additional $200 million in the coming years to help address growing malnutrition rates around the world.

While no peanut-specific issues were raised at the hearing, some senators expressed concern with the Administration’s lack of market access (i.e., tariff) negotiations. Taylor responded by highlighting USDA’s work to resolve non-tariff trade barriers and the importance of export market development programs. Taylor also noted that demand for export promotion funding outstrips available funds. Some senators also expressed concern on the use of cash for food aid purchases, rather than donation of U.S. commodities.

Legislation Seeks To Expand Export Programs

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate proposing to double funding authorizations for USDA export promotion programs. Titled the Expanding Agricultural Exports Act of 2023, the bills (S.176 and H.R. 648), if enacted, would authorize an increase in funding for the Market Access Program from $200 million to $400 million annually, and for the Foreign Market Development Program from $34.5 million to $69 million annually.

The American Peanut Council is a cooperator with USDA, receiving export promotion funds from both programs.

Industry Mobilizes To Prevent Peanut Allergies rough WIC

The federal supplemental nutrition program for low-income persons, called Women, Infants and Children or WIC, serves 2 million babies each year. The WIC Food Package is undergoing an update, which only happens about every 10 years, to bring the package into alignment with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. However, at least one critical piece is missing.

As proposed, the updated food packages do not encourage or support the early introduction of peanut-containing foods to prevent peanut allergies. This practice is solidly supported by science and recommended in the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans (and by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the American Academy of Pediatrics). Given the number of babies WIC serves and the long period between package updates, decisions made now will impact possibly millions of families for years to come.

Industry and state organizations, rallied by the National Peanut Board, were asked to comment during the public comment period to try to right this wrong. The deadline for comments was February 21, and it is hoped that the agency will consider this input before issuing a final rule.

Four Farmers Named To National Peanut Board

Tom Vilsack, USDA Ag Secretary, recently appointed four members and four alternates to serve on the National Peanut Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms, from Jan. 1, 2023, to Dec. 31, 2025, with the

In Brief

• New Under Secretary for Trade expresses concern for market access.

• Funding for export promotions would double under new bill.

• USDA urged to use latest peanut allergy data in WIC packages.

• New NPB members appointed; new chairman from Virginia.

• Groups chip in to fix iconic Big Peanut.

• Georgia, Florida and Alabama hold trade shows, grower production meetings.

exceptions of the at-large appointees whose terms will begin immediately and end Dec. 31, 2024.

Greg Baltz of Pocahontas is the reappointed member from Arkansas. Allen Donner of Manila is the reappointed alternate from Arkansas.

Clay Deane of Sikeston is the reappointed member from Missouri. Russ Hoggard of Portageville is the reappointed alternate from Missouri.

Mark DeLeon of Erick is the new member from Oklahoma. Les Crall of Weatherford is the new alternate from Oklahoma. Crall previously served as a member and was NPB’s 2022 chairman.

Lucy Shackelford of Bonita, Louisiana, is the newly appointed at-large member. Shackelford previously served as at-large alternate. Clifford Neece of Portales, New Mexico, is the new at-large alternate.

The Board is comprised of 12 producer members and their alternates. Eleven members and alternates are from the primary peanut-producing states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. An at-large member and alternate represent the minor peanut producing states.