U.S. puts China ag buys at $23 billion: The Trump administration said China has purchased over $23 billion of U.S. agricultural products, or 71 percent of its commitment under the “phase one” trade agreement, although a U.S. think tank says Chinese customs data show imports of a much-smaller $11 billion of U.S. food, agriculture and seafood products. (Office of the U.S. trade representative)
Biggest bug farm in France: The French startup company Ynsect has raised $224 million to build what it says will be the world’s biggest insect farm, producing 100,000 tonnes of insect flour, oil and other products annually. (Reuters)
USDA issues new EQIP rule: The Natural Resources Conservation Service released an update of the cost-sharing Environmental Quality Incentives Program that allows joint operations to receive a maximum of $900,000 in assistance on contracts issued from 2019 through 2023. (NRCS)
Europe says ‘veggie burger’ is okay: The European Parliament rejected a measure that would prevent plant-based proteins from using names that include words from their meat counterparts, such as veggie burger. (NPR)