Press Releases
Currently showing results related to Agriculture
Wyden Welcomes FDA’s Common-Sense Pledge to Revise Flawed Rule on Brewers’ Spent Grains
Portland, OR - Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued a statement welcoming the Food and Drug Administration's announcement it will rewrite its controversial plan to regulate spent grains from brewers. Spent grains - the result of the brewing process - are often given or sold to nearby ranchers and farmers to use as animal feed. At roundtables across Oregon over the past two weeks, brewers and ranchers told Sen. Wyden the FDA rule issued earlier this year would have created burdensome new regulations … Continue Reading
November 01, 2013
Wyden Statement on Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Washington, D.C.- U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement on cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): "Sadly, automatic cuts in food stamp benefits begin today at a time when millions of American families continue to struggle to recover from this long recession. SNAP is the first line of defense against hunger and provides a true safety net. Families in every state will be hit by these $5 billion in cuts, and there's an ongoing struggle against … Continue Reading
July 30, 2013
Wyden Statement on Japan’s Decision to Resume Purchases of Oregon Wheat
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement today on the decision by the Japanese government to resume purchases of U.S. western-white wheat. The decision ends a two-month ban on the grain purchases following the apparent discovery of unapproved gene-altered crop on an Oregon farm. "With the wheat crop ready for harvest, the news that Japan will join South Korea and Taiwan in resuming purchasing of Oregon wheat comes at the perfect time for wheat … Continue Reading
June 10, 2013
Farm Bill Includes Wyden Provisions to Fight Hunger and Bring Local Food to Schools
WASHINGTON - The Farm Bill approved by the Senate today included two provisions authored by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to advance farm-to-school efforts nationwide, and to help to fight hunger. "Fresh, healthy and locally-grown food should be at the top of the shopping lists for schools in Oregon and across the country," Wyden said. "Under this provision, states already involved with farm-to-school efforts will have the opportunity to demonstrate new and innovative ways to deliver fresh … Continue Reading
May 31, 2013
Wyden Asks Ag. Secretary Vilsack to Ensure Discovery of Genetically Engineered Wheat Does Not Affect Trade
Washington, D.C. - Following the news that a small and unharvested amount of genetically engineered (GE) wheat was discovered by an Oregon farmer, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack praising their investigation into the issue and urging them to work with the US Trade Representative and the Departments of State and Commerce to prevent this discovery from negatively affecting Oregon's international wheat exports. Wyden is the chairman of the … Continue Reading
May 09, 2013
Wyden, Merkley Ask Agriculture, Interior Secretaries for Emergency Grazing Rights on Federal Land in Southeastern and South Central Oregon
Washington, D.C. - Faced with another year of drought conditions in Southeastern and South Central Oregon, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are asking the Department of Agriculture extend emergency grazing of cattle on Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land. "Given the severity of the drought and the disastrous conditions faced by these Oregon farmers and ranchers, we ask that you expeditiously consider extending emergency grazing opportunities on Forest Service and … Continue Reading
March 29, 2013
Wyden, Merkley Applaud Sustainable Fisheries Decision
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., are applauding a federal decision that will help commercial fishermen profit while encouraging sustainable fisheries. "It's a good decision that reaffirms what fisherman needed - a sound, science-based solution that protects the environment as well as fishermen's bottom line," Wyden said. "Our fishing economy depends on a sustainable fishing management plan that provides for a healthy ecosystem and healthy yields for … Continue Reading
March 13, 2013
Senators Introduce CCF Reforms for Fishermen
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Patty Murray, D-Wash., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Mark Begich, D-Alaska, and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., today introduced bipartisan legislation to allow commercial fisherman - in Oregon, Alaska, Washington and nationwide - to use their Capital Construction Fund (CCF) savings without incurring significant tax penalties. "CCF has been an important part of strengthening the U.S. fishing fleet," Wyden said. "But the rapid changes … Continue Reading
February 14, 2013
Senators Seek to Lift Restrictions on Industrial Hemp
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Rand Paul, R-Ky., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., today introduced legislation that would allow American farmers to grow and profit from industrial hemp. The Industrial Hemp Farming Act of 2013 would remove federal restrictions on the domestic cultivation of industrial hemp. Specifically, the bill would remove hemp from the Schedule I controlled substance list under the Controlled Substances Act of … Continue Reading
June 21, 2012
Wyden Statement on Hemp Amendment to the Farm Bill
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) issued the following statement on the amendment to the Farm bill he introduced lifting prohibitions on the growing of industrial hemp: "I firmly believe that American farmers should not be denied an opportunity to grow and sell a legitimate crop simply because it resembles an illegal one. I fought for an amendment that would have recognized industrial hemp as a legitimate crop, but since doing so requires amending the Controlled Substances … Continue Reading
June 20, 2012
Wyden Secures Farm-to-School and Microloan Amendments to the Senate Farm Bill
Washington, D.C. - A pair of amendments to the Senate Farm Bill authored by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) that establishes multiple farm-to-school demonstration projects across the United States and helps gleaners access USDA operating loans to assist their efforts to alleviate food insecurity in their communities have been approved. The Farm-to-School amendment will for the first time create a competitive pilot program with at least 5 farm-to-school demonstration projects, each … Continue Reading
June 07, 2012
Wyden Amendment Will Encourage SNAP Recipients to Eat Healthier
Washington, D.C. - Looking to make it easier for food stamp recipients to eat healthier food, Senator Ron Wyden introduced an amendment to the Farm Bill today that would assist low-income families in meeting federal nutrition guidelines. The amendment would require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out five-year pilot projects in five or more states designed to incentivize healthier food purchases of beneficiaries of the $75 billion-a-year Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program … Continue Reading
April 30, 2012
Wyden: Time is Ripe to Increase Sales and Exports of Oregon Agricultural Products
PORTLAND, Or - Looking to increase jobs and economic development in Oregon, Senator Ron Wyden said today that negotiations to open up Asian-Pacific markets and Congress' consideration of a new Farm Bill offer opportunities to increase the domestic sale and international export of Oregon agricultural products. "My guiding principle in improving the Oregon economy is that we grow things here, add value to them and ship them somewhere, and nothing says that more than selling more Oregon fruits, … Continue Reading
December 16, 2011
Wyden Introduces FRESH Act to Help Farmers and Improve Access to Healthier Foods
Washington, D.C. - Recognizing the need to improve programs that support farming and access to health food, Senator Ron Wyden today introduced the Fresh Regional Eating for Schools and Health Act (FRESH) to ensure that federal nutrition spending helps promote healthier eating and increases consumption of fruits and vegetables while helping local agriculture. "As Congress prepares to write a new Farm Bill, I believe it is important that it provide healthier choices for recipients of federal … Continue Reading
December 10, 2011
Wyden Legislation Will Create Agricultural Jobs, Improve Food Stamp Program, and Increase School Access to Locally Grown Fruits and Vegetables
Washington, D.C. - Seeking to help Oregon farmers, improve the food stamp program and open up markets for locally grown fruits and vegetables, Senator Ron Wyden today rolled out a series of proposals aimed at creating more agriculture jobs and improving access of healthier foods. The legislative proposals were developed with the help of the 28 members of an agriculture advisory committee Wyden created earlier this year. "Since agriculture is one of the cornerstones of the Oregon economy and … Continue Reading
July 08, 2011
Wyden and Portman Call for US Leadership on Fixing Fisheries Subsidies at WTO Negotiations
Washington, D.C. - In advance of the final World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rob Portman (R-OH) sounded an alarm over the exploitation of fisheries and the global economic impact of fisheries subsidies in a letter to Ambassador Ron Kirk, the United States Trade Representative. Currently, more than 85 percent of the world's fisheries face exploitation, a 10 percent increase in the last four years according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization … Continue Reading
February 23, 2011
Wyden Creates Agricultural Advisory Committee
Portland, OR - Reaching into every corner of Oregon and across all types of agricultural interests, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden today announced the 28 members of an advisory committee that will help him develop ways to improve opportunities at home and overseas for Oregon's farmers and ranchers as the Senate considers the next Farm bill. "Agriculture is a cornerstone of the Oregon economy," said Wyden, who chairs the Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness. "If we … Continue Reading
March 10, 2009
Wyden Seeks USDA Inspectors for Rural Oregon to Help Cattlemen, Increase Food Safety
Washington, D.C. - In an effort to reduce transportation costs and increase food safety, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden today asked the Secretary of Agriculture to place meat inspectors in Oregon cattle country in a move that would allow ranchers to stabilize their businesses and expand their markets. "Currently, most cattle are raised in eastern and southern Oregon, while USDA inspectors are located in western Oregon," Wyden said in a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. "This situation … Continue Reading
February 06, 2009
Oregon Delegation Asks Ag Secretary for Disaster Declaration for Oregon Nurseries
Washington, DC- Listening to the concerns of Oregon's nursery industry, which is currently facing steep production losses in the wake of this winter's extreme weather, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader, Peter DeFazio, David Wu, and Greg Walden, today asked Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to grant Oregon Governor Kulongoski's request for a disaster declaration. Governors request such declarations after examining damage … Continue Reading
July 25, 2008
Wyden, Smith Announce Over $5 Million in Oregon Agriculture Projects
WASHINGTON, DC - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) announced today that an agriculture appropriations bill headed for the Senate floor contains over $5 million for sustainable agriculture projects, infrastructure investment, and research. The bill has been passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee, the first step for appropriations funding."Oregon's agricultural producers have always been a pillar of the state's economy and we need to make wise investments to … Continue Reading