Ag Policy Blog

A few updates on the federal government shutdown:

It's still the other guy's fault. House and Senate members continue marching to the floor to explain why it's the other party or the other chamber who caused this. Really, my B.S. allergies are getting bad right now.

A lot of people are upset the federal agencies shutdown their websites, including most access to USDA. My emails to some USDA people came back with messages stating they were on emergency furlough.

On Brownfield radio, Julia Wickard, state director for Indiana's Farm Service Agency offices, said all appointments with farmers would be cancelled because her offices would remain closed.

Conservation Reserve Program and direct payments that normally go out in October, would be delayed until funding is restored. "All of our software, all of our hardware, all of our government equipment and our access to the building is shut down. We are in a holding pattern."

Wickard also noted that NASS reports could be delayed because NASS relies on FSA offices to collect information and report it.

http://brownfieldagnews.com/…

Another major impact at USDA will be for people who rely on the Women, Infants and Children program. After about a week, WIC will have to stop. It serves about 9 million people.

There has been a lot of early confusion about food-safety inspections. At USDA, meat inspections are expected to continue. Meat, poultry and egg product inspections will continue, and 87% of the agency’s 9,633 employees will be still on the job. At the Food and Drug Administration, it's a different circumstance. USDA's inspection services rely on fees while FDA relies on appropriations. Food Safety News reports, "FDA will be unable to support the majority of its food safety, nutrition and cosmetics activities."

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission is also closed. So commodity markets will have to rely on self-regulation until the situation is resolved.

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