86 / SEEDWORLD.COM OCTOBER 2017 NATIONAL USDA QUESTIONS BIOENGINEERED FOOD DISCLOSURE STANDARD The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service is working to develop regulations to implement the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law. In response to a series of questions posed by AMS, the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Food achieved a strong consensus on a broad range of topics critical to the successful implementation of the law. The coalition recom- mends the standard should: foster consumers’ access to information about the food they eat; provide continued access to a nutritious, afford- able and sustainable food supply; ensure that farmers have access to the technolo- gies that provide numerous environmental and sustain- ability benefits; and adhere to Congress’ intention that USDA implement a disclosure stand- ard for marketing purposes that respects the strong scien- tific consensus on the safety of bioengineered food. PRESIDENT SIGNS DISASTER AID, CR, DEBT CEILING BILL President Trump signed the hurricane emergency aid package that also addresses the debt ceiling and govern- ment funding. The package provides $15.25 billion in emergency funding for both hurricane and wildfire victims. The continuing resolution (CR) funds the government through Dec. 8 and will prevent a gov- ernment shutdown when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. As of Sept. 14, the House plans to finish work on an eight-bill appropriations measure as lawmakers look to set up negotiations with the Senate on a FY18 budget agreement. The measure, which they are referring to as an octibus bill, combines bills that fund nearly all the depart- ments and agencies important to agriculture, including the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, the Interior and Labor depart- ments, and the Environmental Protection Agency. INTRODUCING THE AGRICULTURAL GUEST WORKER ACT Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) will soon unveil his Agricultural Guestworker Act, the AG Act. This act replace the H-2A program with a more efficient and effective agricul- tural guestworker program that America’s farmers and ranchers have needed for a number of years. The AG Act will allow year-round agri- cultural employers to hire year-round workers versus just seasonal workers. It will allow employers to invest time in training employees who will be able to stay for longer periods of time and will offer more options. INTERNATIONAL CANADA APPROVES AGRIUM-POTASHCORP MERGER Potash Corporation and Agrium Inc. announced that REGULATORY ROUNDUP Keeping you informed of legislative and regulatory changes at the state, national and international levels — from lawsuits to approvals to other regulatory issues affecting your business. applewoodseed.com Seeds of Wildflowers & Garden Flowers Regional, Special Use & Custom Mixtures Hundreds of Species in Stock For a quote or catalog, call 303.431.7333 or email sales@applewoodseed.com the Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) granted uncon- ditional regulatory approval for the proposed merger of equals by issuing a no-action letter dated Sept. 11. The CCB concluded that the proposed transaction is not likely to lead to a substantial lessen- ing or prevention of competi- tion with respect to potash fertilizer, phosphate fertilizers and nitric acid. The CCB found that global prices of potash are correlated with prices in Canada and that customers can source potash from mul- tiple suppliers. The issuance of the no-action letter satis- fies the Canadian regulatory condition of closing of the proposed merger of equals transaction. BRAZIL APPROVES CONKESTA ENLIST E3 SOYBEAN During the August plenary meeting, the National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio) of Brazil approved a new variety of Bt soybean for planting, human consumption, and animal con- sumption. In addition to insect resistance, the GM soybean has tolerance to three herbi- cides: glyphosate, glufosinate and dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The technology belongs to Dow AgroSciences, named as Conkesta Enlist E3, and the first product released by CTNBio that has genes for insect resistance and her- bicide tolerance in a single event. Dow AgroSciences is now working on the registra- tion with Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture. SW