House Ag Committee schedule released

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture announced the following committee schedule.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
1300 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry–Public Hearing
RE: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of conservation programs.

Thursday, June 23, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
1300 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Committee on Agriculture–Business Meeting
RE: To approve the Activity Report of the Committee on Agriculture for the 1st Quarter of the 112th Congress as required by House Rule XI, clause d(1).

Thursday, June 23, 2011 – 11:00 a.m.
1300 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture–Public Hearing
RE: To review the opportunities and benefits of agricultural biotechnology.

Friday, June 24, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
1300 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management–Public Hearing
RE: Agricultural Program Audit: Examination of crop insurance programs

National Restaurant Association Fights for Members on Health Care Law Implementation

National Restaurant Association Fights for Members on Health Care Law Implementation

( Washington, D.C.) The National Restaurant Association is continuing its work on behalf of the restaurant industry as it makes the case that new regulations under the health care law could be devastating for the industry. The Association submitted comments today to the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on how the Administration contemplates defining key concepts that will impact how the restaurant and food service industry will offer coverage.

“Growth and success in the restaurant industry means opening more restaurants and more locations, which in turn means jobs in our communities,” said Scott DeFife, Executive Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs for the National Restaurant Association. “With respect to the new health care law, the uncertainty of the regulatory process and the many rules that are yet to be clarified and fully defined are worrisome for our members. However, we very much appreciate Treasury and the IRS’ effort to explore key definitional issues for the industry early before promulgating related regulations.”

DeFife noted that to comply with the law, restaurateurs need a clearer definition of full-time employee than what was offered as part of the law.

“We believe this law will impact our industry more than most and appreciate the federal government’s recognition that first addressing the definition of full-time employee, and the provisions linked to that definition, is critical,” DeFife said. “The Treasury Department and the IRS have recognized that industries such as ours with narrow margins, and flexible and variable work schedules, are unable to easily predict which employees are considered full-time and consequently cannot anticipate their liability under the law.”

The National Restaurant Association submitted comments to the Treasury Department and IRS in response to their request for comments on the “Shared Responsibility for Employers” provisions in the new health care law, slated to go into effect in 2014. The Association is also a leading member of the Employers for Flexibility in Health Care (EFHC) coalition which also submitted comments this week. Combined, the submissions addressed key issues for the industry such as the full-time employee definition, support of the contemplated “look-back stability period safe harbor, ” a 60-day administration period, which is consistent with current practice within the industry; as well as a 90-day waiting period to be applied to all employees, including new hires and newly eligible employees.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Leads U.S. Delegation to G-20 Summit of Agricultural Ministers

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Leads U.S. Delegation to G-20 Summit of Agricultural Ministers

WASHINGTON, June 17, 2011 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will lead the U.S. government's delegation to the G-20 Summit of Agricultural Ministers in Paris on June 22 and 23. The focus of the summit is on international efforts to ensure global food security. The G-20 was established in 1999 to bring together major advanced and emerging economies to help bring stability to global markets. France chairs the G-20 in 2011.
"Coming together at the G-20 to focus on the critical issue of food security is a very significant and positive development for all of the countries involved," said Vilsack. "Our goal as an international community is clear: to reduce the number of hungry people by increasing the availability and accessibility of nutritious food around the world. The meetings will establish further cooperation to increase agricultural productivity for a growing global population, as well as priorities for the effectiveness of international agricultural and information systems. It is equally important that we take this opportunity, in light of high energy and commodity prices, to improve market transparency and end market distorting practices."
Vilsack will also speak to aviation representatives participating in the Paris Air Show, the largest gathering of the world aerospace industry, about USDA's commitment to the development of alternative fuels to improve economic opportunities, decrease dependence on oil, and increase environmental benefits of flying. USDA is among the forefront of federal efforts to support the development of bio-based fuels, including aviation fuel. USDA's commitment to the development of alternative fuels will benefit the aerospace industry, both economically and environmentally. Last October, USDA and the Federal Aviation Administration announced a five year agreement to develop aviation fuel from forest and crop residues. In January 2010, USDA and the Department of the Navy announced a partnership to encourage the development of advanced biofuels and other renewable energy systems.
This will be the first meeting of all agricultural ministers in the Group of Twenty (G-20). In addition to the United States, the G-20 includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudia Arabia, South Africa, the Republic of Korea, Turkey and the United Kingdom.