Relocation delays USDA research (Politico): USDA managers were alerted that 38 reports, ranging from dairy consolidation to international agricultural market access, may be delayed because of the relocation of the Economic Research Service to Kansas City and the related mass attrition of staff workers.
Beekeepers sue over insecticide (CNN): The bee industry asked the U.S. appeals court in San Francisco to review the EPA’s decision to remove some restrictions on use of the pesticide sulfoxaflor, which can harm pollinators.
Sino-US talks to resume in two weeks (CNBC): Ministerial-level talks between the United States and China are scheduled to resume in two weeks, said Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin.
USDA slow to act on rural housing (NBC News): The USDA helps provide housing for 400,000 low-income rural families but is slow to take enforcement action when conditions fail to meet federal standards and has pared back its housing inspection protocol, an investigation found.
Chinese trader sees less need for Brazil soy (Reuters): Commodities trader Cofco says it will reduce its purchases of Brazilian soybeans by 28 percent this year because of swine disease that has devastated Chinese herds.