Climate change discussions heated up another notch this week following official word on Friday from the Environmental Protection Agency that it would seek to regulate greenhouse gases.

Montana wheat producer Bing Von Bergen testified Wednesday on behalf of NAWG at a House Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management hearing on the federal crop insurance program.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said this week that Obama Administration officials are working to resolve issues standing in the way of finalizing long-pending free trade agreements with Panama and Colombia.

Finalizing a budget resolution and weighing climate change priorities will dominate Congressional action when Members return next week from a two-week spring recess.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed finding Friday saying six greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare, which is the first step toward their regulation.

The Obama Administration announced Monday that it will lighten some family travel, remittance and communications restrictions against Cuba.

USDA announced Thursday that ACRE program enrollment will begin April 27.

NAWG submitted its responses this week to a House Agriculture Committee questionnaire on climate change, emphasizing Association policy supporting a cap-and-trade program that allows unlimited agriculture sequestration.

A new editorial penned by noted wheat breeder Norman Borlaug and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) makes a clear and compelling case for increased funding for agricultural research and the use of biotechnology around the world.

NAWG and 21 other agricultural organizations asked Thursday that the full Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals rehear a landmark pesticide case, even as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a party to the case, declined to do so.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously passed a bill this week to increase effort and investment in international agricultural research and development.

NAWG submitted comments this week addressing a number of concerns with a pending interim final rule on 2008 Farm Bill program payment limits and eligibility requirements.

House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders released a discussion draft this week of climate change legislation expected to move toward completion before August.