Ag trade leaders wanted: Senate Agriculture Committee leaders asked President Biden to nominate quickly candidates for chief agricultural negotiator at the U.S. Trade Representative’s office and for agriculture undersecretary for trade — a request heard often on Capital Hill. (Senate Agriculture)
House passes restaurant aid: On a 223-203 vote split along party lines, the Democratic-controlled House passed a bill providing $42 billion for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and $13 billion for other hard-hit small businesses. (House Small Business)
Dispute over salmon survival: California state and federal officials are moving ahead with a plan to aid the endangered winter-run Chinook salmon by trucking the fish around Shasta Dam, but the Winnemem Wintu Tribe wants to develop a route for salmon to freely swim upstream past the dam. (Los Angeles Times)
Pesticide residues on produce: Strawberries, spinach and leafy greens “are again the top offenders” most likely among non-organic fresh produce to carry traces of pesticides, based on federal testing; in most cases residues were below legal limits. (Environmental Working Group)
New Equity Commission panel: The USDA invited applications for a 15-member Rural Community Economic Development subcommittee that would assist its Equity Commission in addressing historical discrimination and disparities in the agricultural sector. (USDA)