Agribusiness Update for Wednesday 02/18/15

A lawsuit that had been filed back in 2013 against the USDA to challenge the legality of the Country-of-Origin Labeling rules has been dismissed. U.S. Cattlemen's Association President Danni Beer says that case has been dismissed by stipulation of the parties. Beer says the court litigation removes any challenge to the legality of the regulations under U.S. law – for now. She says consumers and producers are entitled to accurate information on where beef products are born, raised and slaughtered. Consumers want more information on where their food comes from – and Beer says U.S. cattle producers believe informed consumers will prefer U.S. beef.

A federal judge in Texas has blocked implementation of President Obama's immigration policy deferring the deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants. In response the Obama administration is suspending its plans to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for legal status. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said the administration will appeal that court order but said for the time being they would comply.

That's today's Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network of the West.