On Friday evening, March 8, Congress approved six appropriation bills to fund a portion of the federal government, included in the bill are several key wins for Mississippi farmers and ranchers.

Transportation:  Within the Transportation-HUD appropriations bill is a provision to allow the Mississippi harvest permit to be honored on the federal interstate system within the state of Mississippi.  In essence, loggers and grain haulers can now carry 88,0000 pounds of freight on the federal interstate highway, as long as harvest permit requirements are met.

Pine Beetle/Drought:  Included in the Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill is report language that highlights the severe pine beetle/drought impact on Mississippi timber producers.  The language directs USDA to utilize all available programs to assist landowners.  The language reads:

• The agreement notes that recent droughts have contributed to a dramatic increase in southern pine beetle infestations. The agreement is concerned about the severity of observed tree mortality, as well as the economic and ecological challenges posed to private forest landowners. The agreement emphasizes that the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) was established to assist landowners impacted by natural disasters (including drought and insect infestations), and that previously appropriated funds are currently available to operate the program in fiscal year 2024. Of the unobligated balances available for EFRP, FSA is encouraged to address assistance to landowners impacted by southern pine beetle outbreaks in counties designated by USDA as primary natural disaster areas due to drought in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 or first quarter of fiscal year 2024. The agreement urges the FSA National Office to work in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and state forestry agencies to expedite the delivery of program assistance to landowners in areas impacted by drought and insect infestation.

Animal Identification:   Included in the Agriculture-FDA appropriations bill is report language that directs USDA to utilize existing resources to cover the costs associated with a proposed rule to require electronic identification for certain classes of cattle.  The language is posted below.

• The agreement directs the Department to continue to provide the tags and related infrastructure needed to comply with the Federal Animal Disease Traceability rule (9 CFR 86), including no less than $15,000,000 for electronic identification (EID) tags and related infrastructure needed for stakeholders to comply with the proposed rule, “Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison” (88 FR 3320), should that rule be finalized.