Food and Agriculture

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) questioned Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plans to address climate change and PFAS contamination, as well as the status of organic rules.  A video of today’s full Subcommittee hearing is available for viewing here. “I appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s understanding of the importance of… Read more »

In reaction to the news of U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today released the following statement: “Small-scale producers bore the brunt of supply chain changes and pandemic-related losses in agriculture, and yet, they received inadequate support from the previous Department of… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.), joined by Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to support small meat and poultry processors. The Strengthening Local Processing Act will increase options for local livestock and poultry producers and assist smaller facilities as… Read more »

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) cosponsored the Local and Regional Farmer and Market Support Act, also known as the Local Farmer Act, introduced by Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, (D-N.C.). The Local Farmer Act would help the farmers, farms, and families hardest hit by COVID-19 by targeting aid directly to local and regional food producers and markets as they… Read more »

Each year, the United States joins 150 nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in celebrating World Food Day to promote global awareness and action for those who suffer from chronic hunger and all forms of malnutrition.  Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.)—co-chairs of the House Food Recovery Caucus—as well as… Read more »

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to extend school meal waivers for the entirety of the 2020-2021 school year.  “[We] urge the Department of Agriculture (Department) to act swiftly to ensure children have access to nutritious meals through the current school… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) today introduced legislation to support small meat and poultry processors. The Strengthening Local Processing Act will expand options for local producers and assist smaller facilities as they adapt to the coronavirus pandemic and expand to meet demand. “Maine has almost 3,400 diversified… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today joined by 23 House colleagues wrote to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue and Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to demand an investigation into the recent deaths of thousands of mail-order chicks and to urge immediate action to rectify this issue. The members noted the importance of USPS to rural… Read more »

Washington, D.C. — With the 60-day deadline fast approaching, today Maine’s Congressional Delegation wrote to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue urging him to immediately act on President Trump’s June 24th memorandum to provide relief funds to the lobster industry.  President Trump’s memo stated “the Secretary of Agriculture shall, within 60… Read more »

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today released the following statement on her co-sponsorship of H.R. XX, the Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020, legislation to promote climate-friendly agricultural practices by increasing farmers’ access to carbon markets: “Farming has always been a risky business, but this moment is an especially tough one for farmers: climate… Read more »