Farm Bill Signed & NW Water Issues

Farm Bill Signed & NW Water Issues plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.

It has taken over three years and left both the House and Senate with a couple of black eyes but the fight for the farm bill is finally over. Last week the Senate passed their version and on Friday the President signed the bill while on a trip to Michigan State University where he extolled the benefits of a thriving agricultural sector for the nation's overall economy. The President also announced a new "Made in Rural America" initiative that White House officials said was intended to help rural businesses market their goods abroad.

OBAMA: Now despite its name the farm bill is not just about helping farmers. Secretary Vilsack calls it a jobs bill. An innovation bill. An infrastructure bill. A research bill. A conservation bill. it's like a Swiss army knife, It creates more good jobs; gives more Americans a shot at opportunity and

Snow began pushing into the northwest last week and brought some much needed moisture to the area. Water has been on a lot of peoples mind but according to Scott Pattee, water supply specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Mount Vernon, Washington, it's a little early yet to start preparing for the worst. Statewide snowpack levels are sitting at about 55 percent, which is less than average for this time of year but Pattee is optimistic since February is usually a good month for adding needed snowpack.

Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray.

The push for GMO labeling isn't going away, no matter how many times it gets voted down on individual state ballots, therefore a coalition has been formed to push for a federal solution to labeling products containing genetically modified ingredients. The Coalition for Safe Affordable Food are advocating for a national common labeling system across the country in order to avoid a mishmash of separate state labeling rules. Food industry leaders say such a standard should be overseen by the Food and Drug Administration. The CEO of the Grocery Manufacturers Association, Pam Bailey, who is also a member of the newly formed Coalition for Safe Affordable Food, says that, "A federal GMO labeling solution will eliminate consumer confusion.....We believe the FDA should have sole authority over the decision to require mandatory labeling of any food, but especially those with GM ingredients." And all the members of the Coalition agree that, while food safety agencies around the globe have evaluated GMOs and determined they pose no health risks, a federal GMO labeling solution would inform consumers, eliminate confusion, and provide consistency.

Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.