Washington Post
Dry winter compounds chronic food shortages in North Korea
"Markedly lower" rainfall is raising concern about the winter wheat and barley crops in North Korea, says the Washington Post. The winter grains supply only 5 percent of North Korea's food but are a vital bridge, the so-called barley hump, during the spring...
Japan is willing to reduce beef and pork tariffs, reports say
Japanese news media reported that the government would reduce its high import tariffs on beef and pork and relax slightly its restrictions on U.S. rice imports as part of the proposed 12-nation Trans Pacific Partnership trade pact, said Reuters.
Obama seeks $1.2 billion to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria
"The Obama administration wants to double the amount of federal funding dedicated to combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria," says the Washington Post, based on comments from White House officials in advance of the fiscal 2016 budget request.
Four Republicans on House Ag oppose Boehner as speaker
Ted Yoho, the only Florida Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, got two votes for House speaker on the opening day of the 114th session of Congress. Yoho voted for himself and also got the support of Thomas Massie of Kentucky.
Food is the fight in US-Europe free-trade talks
In the drawn-out negotiation over a trans-Atlantic trade agree, "no single issue is inflaming the debate more than food — specifically U.S. calls for Europe to open its door to long-banned American foodstuffs that are hormone-treated, chemically sanitized or genetically modified," says the Washington Post.
Petition drive is launched for national food policy
Along with an essay in the Washington Post, backers of a national food policy are running a petition campaign on the Internet that calls on President Barack Obama to issue an executive order spelling out a policy. The Union of Concerned Scientists, host of a petition site, says a national policy "will transform our food system to ensure healthy, sustainably grown food for all."
Needed: A US food policy, not just a farm policy, says op-ed
In the State of the Union address in January, President Barack Obama "should announce an executive order establishing a national policy for food, health and well-being," write Mark Bittman, Michael Pollan, Richardo Salvador and Olivier De Schutter in an essay in the Washington Post.
Obama mulls action on immigration
President Barack Obama "is reportedly reviewing proposals to allow as many as 5 million illegal immigrants to stay in the United States at least temporarily, according to several people familiar with his plans," said the Washington Post, with a decision "either this month or in early December." Republican leaders in Congress say the president should delay action or risk opposition on a wide range of administration goals.
Congress may act soon on biodiesel, other ag tax credits
Revival of four dozen tax breaks, including incentives for the agricultural sector, is possible in the lame-duck session that opens next week, says the Washington Post.
Hunger spreads in the ebola zone
Rampant hunger is appearing in Liberia, one of the west African nations hit by ebola, says Mother Jones magazine. It cites a spot check by Mercy Corps, a charity, of three parts of the country heavily affected by the disease.
Roberts, Orman “haven’t closed the sale” in Kansas
"The race for the U.S. Senate seat from Kansas is about to get nastier," says the Kansas City Star in a story headlined, "With a week to go, U.S. Senate candidates in Kansas still haven't closed the sale."
Reform or die out is question for Japan’s farmers
The Japanese government tries an experiment in mountainous rural Japan to re-populate a farming town, says the Washington Post.
Roberts attended one-third of Ag panel meetings-Report
Third-term Sen Pat Roberts, potentially the next chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, attended only one-third of the committee's meetings since 2000, says the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Foodmakers to share info on food additives with FDA
The Grocery Manufacturers Association, a trade group for foodmakers, "will give the Food and Drug Administration access to a large database of safety information for chemicals used in processed foods, from Twinkies to almond milk," says Politico.
Napa wineries jostled by California earthquake
The magnitude 6.0 earthquake in California's Napa wine country damaged buildings and wine held in storage at some wineries.
Roberts, Pompeo win primaries in Kansas
Sen Pat Roberts, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, won the Republican nomination for his fourth term, beating Tea Party challenger Milton Wolf, 48-41.
U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit opens today
The United States is hosting a three day summit with leaders of four dozen nations in Africa that focuses " largely on the economic potential that Africa offers the United States - provided that the two can solve ongoing problems around electricity supply, agriculture, security threats and democratic governance," says the Washington Post.
Intersex fish are widespread in Chesapeake watershed
Researchers are finding more intersex fish and in more widespread parts of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, says the Washington Post.