2017 Highlights
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
VOL. 100, No. 26 www.LDAF.la.gov December 21, 2017 Year In Review 2017 Highlights As always, it was a very busy represented the Nation’s agricultural ports are an essential lifeline which dispensers. In this effort, routine Louisiana is certainly no stranger year at the Department of producers at several meetings which move eighty-five percent of grains inspections include checking to emergencies, particularly Agriculture and Forestry. This is included discussing infrastructure destined for the global marketplace. specifically for such devices. hurricanes. When our neighbors a snapshot of accomplishments in challenges and ways to improve Strain explained the need to work This year, inspectors checked in Texas were inundated with 2017: reducing permitting time to move cooperatively to improve the approximately 2,828 stations rainfall during Hurricane Harvey NASDA projects along more quickly; dilapidated waterways system statewide and found 85 skimmers. in September, and evacuees arrived In September 2017, Commissioner increasing infrastructure spending which is failing food producers. Commissioner Mike Strain has in Louisiana, the LDAF and its Mike Strain ended his term as while restoring accountability Congress must prioritize funding collaborated with the U.S. Secret non-governmental organization leader of the National Association in how infrastructure funds are for these critical infrastructure Service to protect consumers from partners assisted by sheltering 490 of State Departments of Agriculture spent; and allowing state and local projects. credit card theft. The U.S. Secret pets in Alexandria and Haughton. (NASDA). As NASDA president, governments more flexibility to Strain and White House officials Service protects the integrity of our The LDAF Incident Management Strain was and remains a major develop infrastructure free from also discussed the need for inter- currency and investigates crimes Team worked in Baton Rouge to voice at the national level regarding federal impediment. connectivity in rural America against our national financial coordinate these efforts. agriculture policy. Strain also led the discussion on so everyone has better access to system committed by criminals Meanwhile, the LDAF has During that time, Strain was the need to invest in mechanisms technology. within the United States and around acquired an $80 thousand donation invited five times to meet with to bring products to market such Equine Herpes the world. Criminals are utilizing from the Banfield Foundation to White House officials, including as waterways, railroads and 2017 also began with a major advances in technology to prey upon build a second mobile pet shelter President Donald J. Trump, and highways. Inland waterways and threat to the billion dollar horse financial institutions and consumers for emergency situations. racing industry when there was throughout Louisiana and the Office of Soil & Water an outbreak of the Equine Herpes country. These illegal devices lead Conservation Bayou Mallet Myeloencephalopathy (EHM) virus to millions of dollars lost annually Water Quality Project at the New Orleans Fair Grounds due to compromised bank card Bayou Mallet, a small rural Racetrack. The Louisiana numbers being fraudulently used waterway flowing through St. Department of Agriculture and for goods and services. Landry and Acadia Parishes, Forestry worked with Fair Grounds So far, 85 skimmers inventoried is located in the headwaters of officials and the USDA to put two-thirds have been forensically the Mermentau River Basin and biosecurity measures in place to analyzed according to Lou Velez flows through some of southwest protect the horses and the deadly with the U.S. Secret Service. More Louisiana’s most fertile rice, disease was contained. than 9,000 bank card numbers have crawfish and grazing land. In 2014, The horse industry provides some been found which represent more the LDEQ’s ambient water quality money toward research conducted than $4.5 million dollars in potential monitoring data indicated that by the LSU AgCenter. fraud loss to financial institutions Bayou Mallet was cloudy and full LDAF and U.S. Secret Service and consumers throughout of bacteria, with agriculture the Collaboration on Skimmers Louisiana. In addition, several suspected cause. Credit card skimmers installed criminal groups residing in other Through the Agricultural inside gasoline pumps throughout states have been identified and are Nonpoint Source pollution Louisiana have continued to be a expected to be federally prosecuted management program, the risk to citizens. This is a growing in the near future. The successful LDAF Office of Soil and Water problem nationwide. The Louisiana partnership has proven not only to Conservation immediately began Department of Agriculture and be a proactive tool in combating monitoring the water quality along Forestry has made a strong effort financial crime, specifically gas the bayou, and by encouraging through the Weights and Measures pump skimming fraud, but also active participation from area Division (LDAF-WM) to locate providing protection to Louisiana landowners, soon began concurrent and remove credit card skimming consumers. monitoring and implementation devices from retail motor fuel Hurricane Harvey See Review, cont'd. on page 19 Page 2 Market Bulletin December 21, 2017 Louisiana Agriculture & Forestry Today Strain: Lift these burdensome restrictions; Louisiana is ready to do business in Cuba On December 17, 2014, the Due to U.S. law that was average of $2 billion annual port state would allow it to U.S. announced its decision passed long before the agricultural imports, Cuba is reap additional benefits from to normalize relations with restoration of diplomatic a significant potential export the shipping industry. Cuba after half a century of relations, American market for Louisiana farmers. Cuba Trade Magazine isolation. agricultural producers face We produce many of estimates that if this The restoration of significant obstacles to selling Cuba’s top farm imports such prohibition on offering diplomatic relations between food to Cuba that other U.S. as soybeans, rice, poultry, financing for the sale of our two countries –and a new industries do not. and feed grain; but in 2016, agricultural commodities was policy of engagement– has In 2000, Congress allowed Louisiana farmers sold less repealed, allowing unfettered opened opportunities for U.S. for export of agricultural than half their projected agricultural trade with Cuba, businesses, stimulated growth goods to Cuba – but with export potential to Cuba. Louisiana could sell up to in Cuba’s private sector and significant restrictions – Cuba is the western $302 million to Cuba each strengthened human rights on prohibiting private financing. hemisphere’s largest per year, grow the economy and the island. Cuba is required to pay cash capita rice consumer. The create jobs across the state. MIKE STRAIN As a result of these policy in advance for purchases U.S. island imports more than This would be a much-needed COMMISSIONER changes, most of which agricultural commodities. $170 million annually in rice source of new revenue for a President Trump kept intact, Anyone who has ever from halfway around the state experiencing a $1 billion American businesses have exported commodities knows world and virtually none of it budget shortfall. Louisiana Market Bulletin benefited and the lives of the that this is not how business comes from Louisiana farms. A bill in Congress, the Cuba (USPS 672-600) Cuban people have improved. is done. As a result of these Commodity prices are Agricultural Exports Act, Mike Strain DVM, Commissioner For the most part, Louisiana restrictions, U.S. agricultural dropping and farmers are would repeal the restriction on As a public service to state residents, the Louisiana farmers have been left out of exports to Cuba have dropped bringing home 46% less financing and allow Louisiana Market Bulletin offers free listings subject to existing these developments. every year since 2009. As long income each year to support farmers to sell its agricultural regulations. Out-of-state residents may list Want While there is some as U.S. agricultural producers their families than they were products to the island without Ads only. Ads may not exceed 25 words. The name, confusion surrounding are prohibited from offering three years ago. This strain on one hand tied behind their address and telephone number as well as the price of current Cuba regulations, private financing, it will the farm economy is felt across backs. the item must be included with each ad. Subscription there are numerous avenues remain virtually impossible all sectors of the industry and Our businesses, our fee for the Market Bulletin is $10.00 for a one-year to legally export to the for Louisiana farmers to the small communities across farmers, and our families subscription. island. American companies compete for Cuban market Louisiana. deserve the freedom to buy, The Louisiana Market Bulletin assumes no including Marriott, Google share. At the same time, there is sell, and travel wherever they responsibility for any notice appearing in the Bulletin and FedEx are taking Cuba relies on agricultural a market only 90 miles off wish. To our representatives nor for any transaction resulting from published advantage of the recent imports to feed its population our shores that could give in Washington: lift these notices. Advertisers are cautioned that it is against relaxation of trade restrictions