WTO Compliance Ruling & Specialty Crop Block Grant

WTO Compliance Ruling & Specialty Crop Block Grant

WTO Compliance Ruling & Specialty Crop Block Grant plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

Yesterday, the World Trade Organization released a ruling on the country-of-origin labeling issue that would affect northwest livestock producers. WTO ruled that the mandatory COOL statute violates U.S. international trade obligations by discriminating against Canadian cattle and pigs and Mexican cattle. United States Cattlemen's Association President Danni Beer.

BEER: What we'd have to do is change the way its implemented to not make it discriminatory toward Canada and Mexico products as the WTO panel sees it. It's more in the details of how you implement the program. WTO didn't say don't do it, they said do it in a way that's non-discriminatory.

Oregon ag is receiving nearly $2 million from the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program which will fund 29 projects to help boost the competitiveness of the state's fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, and other specialty crops. This marks the highest number of projects ever funded under the program and highest total amount of funding allocated to Oregon by USDA. Producers and ag officials are especially pleased since the majority of Oregon's agricultural production comes from specialty crops.

Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray.

Attempts to impose high "sin" taxes on such foods as cookies and cakes, chips, certain dairy products, sodas, and even hamburgers has for the most part has been unsuccessful. High taxes don't seem to be the magic cure all for overeating. In fact, studies have shown that when faced with a 10% soda tax consumers only purchased fewer of these sugary drinks for about a month, then they returned to their pre-tax buying habits. It has been proven then that such attempts to modify consumer eating habits with taxation don't actually change behaviors or food preferences - irritate, annoy, challenge, but not change. Contrary to what most food activists and even some legislators believe, the vast majority of consumers are fully cognizant of the fact that moderation in all things is the key. Making certain foods and drinks more expensive isn't the answer for the nation's obesity problem. The answer has always been and remains in each individual taking responsibility for their own health and lifestyle choices.

Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.

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