Tag: Agriculture

Senate Dems offer rival bill on GMO food labels

Senate Democrats are pushing a rival bill on labeling for genetically modified foods. The Biotechnology Food Labeling and Uniformity Act unveiled Wednesday would require manufacturers to disclose the presence of genetically modified organisms on a product’s Nutrition Fact Panel. Manufacturers, though, would have a choice in how they comply. They could choose to

Merkley shoots for mandatory GMO labeling

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) will introduce a bill today that would require food makers to disclose the presence of GMO ingredients on Nutrition Facts labels. The bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.), comes right after the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday approved Chairman Pat Roberts’

Boardman biorefinery gets $11 million USDA backing

With financing in place, a Minnesota-based energy company plans to build its first commercial refinery that will transform farm waste into natural gas and liquid fertilizer at the Port of Morrow. Novus Energy has received an $11 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s biorefinery assistance program. Oregon

Merkley, Wyden Announce Key Funding for Pendleton Agricultural Research Station

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the omnibus spending bill expected to pass the Senate and the U.S. House this week includes language that will help fund essential programs in Oregon, including the Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center near Pendleton, which was at

Historic effort keeps sage grouse off endangered list

WASHINGTON — The greater sage grouse will not be placed on the endangered species list, due to the greatest conservation effort in U.S. history, federal officials said Tuesday. The decision by the Fish and Wildlife Service to not list the iconic bird was announced at a news conference at the Rocky

Merkley Delivers Wins For Oregon Farmers in Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley announced several key wins to help farming communities in Oregon and across the country. As the Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee, Senator Merkley has vowed to use his position to fight for Oregon’s priorities and middle class families. This

Merkley Vows to Protect Pendleton Agricultural Research Station from Devastating Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the 2016 appropriations process gets underway in the U.S. Capitol, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley is vowing to go to bat for essential programs in Oregon, including the Columbia Plateau Conservation Research Center near Pendleton.  Merkley is the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee and

Merkley Becomes Top Democrat on Agriculture Appropriations

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley announced that in the 114th Congress he will become the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, putting him in a powerful position to advocate for Oregon’s rural communities, agriculture research institutions,

Klamath bills pass Senate committee

A settlement aimed at solving decades-old water conflicts in the Klamath Basin moved one step closer to becoming a reality Thursday. The Klamath Water Recovery and Economic Restoration Act, Senate Bill 2379, passed through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The vote was 17-5. Officials hope the bill, which

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