‘Several weeks’ on CFAP: Speaking to the Commodity Classic farm show, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said it would be “several weeks” before USDA decides how to divide $13 billion in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program funding for producers. President Biden issued a regulatory freeze when he took office that included a Trump plan to disburse $3 billion of the funds. (FERN’s Ag Insider)
Safer food for youngsters: The FDA will take additional action to prevent or reduce chemical hazards in foods for babies and young children, including new guidelines on tolerance levels for contaminants, more research into toxic elements in food for children, and more inspections and sampling of foods. (FDA)
Covid role of feds, meatpackers: The USDA’s inspector general will review the department’s actions that may have contributed to the spread of the coronavirus at meatpacking plants and other agricultural processing facilities. (Sen. Michael Bennet)
Texas storm losses: The mid-February snow and ice storm caused at least $600 million in agricultural losses across Texas, including $230 million in citrus crops, $228 million in livestock and $150 million in vegetables. (Texas A&M)
Quality Loss extension: Farmers have an additional month, until April 9, to apply for Quality Loss Adjustment payments to compensate for damage to crop quality due to natural disasters in 2018 and 2019. (USDA)