Category: Agriculture

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Nationwide Special Campaign To Register on National Fisheries Digital Platform to be Organized from 14th to 22nd February 2025

Source: Government of India (2)

Nationwide Special Campaign To Register on National Fisheries Digital Platform to be Organized from 14th to 22nd February 2025

Fishers, Fish farmers & Eligible Stakeholders Appealed to Register; Avail Benefits Under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana

Posted On: 13 FEB 2025 1:23PM by PIB Delhi

The Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, is organizing a special nationwide campaign for registrations on the National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) along with expediting registration approvals and mobilizing applications from eligible stakeholders for availing various benefits provided under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY) from 14th to 22^nd February, 2025. This nationwide effort, in collaboration with State/UT Fisheries Departments, National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), and Common Service Centers (CSCs), will focus on organizing camps in key fisheries hotspots and potential areas across the country aimed at expediting the registration process, enhancing approval rates, and encouraging eligible stakeholders to avail themselves of the numerous benefits under PMMKSSY, such as credit facilitation, aquaculture insurance and performance grants.

Background

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PMMKSSY), a Central Sector Sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with an outlay of ₹6,000 crore is under implementation since 2023-2024. Its main aim is to formalize the fisheries sector, enhance access to institutional finance, promote aquaculture insurance, improve value chain efficiencies, and strengthen fish safety and quality assurance systems. By addressing key challenges such as fragmentation, lack of credit access, and low value chain efficiency, PMMKSSY seeks to create a more resilient and sustainable fisheries sector, ensuring enhanced livelihoods for fishers and fish farmers.

A key component of this sub-scheme is to create a National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) to register fishers, fish farmers, vendors, processors, and microenterprises, facilitating their integration into formal financial systems and government programs. NFDP has specific modules for registration, credit facilitation, strengthening of Fisheries cooperatives, aquaculture insurance, performance grants, traceability and training & capacity building. So far, more than 17 lakh registrations have been made on the portal. This digital initiative, combined with targeted interventions under PMMKSSY, is expected to enhance productivity, expand domestic and global markets, and ensure long-term sectoral growth.

Eligible stakeholders mainly, fishers, fish farmers, vendors, processors, microenterprises, etc. can register themselves on the National Fisheries Digital Platform at these camps such that they can avail the benefits under PMMKSSY. List of States/Districts organizing the camps annexed below for reference.

Areas of Mobilization Annexure 1
Name of State	Potential Area	Exact Location/Camp Location	District Name
Madhya Pradesh	Balaghat	Balaghat	Balaghat
	Dhar	Dhar	Dhar
	Seoni	Seoni	Seoni
Chhattisgarh	Durg division	Rajnandgaon	Rajnandgaon
	Raipur division	Raipur	Raipur
	Bilaspur division	Korba	Korba
	Bastar division	Kanker	Kanker
Kerala	Thiruananthapuram	Thiruananthapuram	Thiruananthapuram
	Kollam	Kollam	Kollam
	Alappuzha	Alappuzha	Alappuzha
	Ernakulam	Ernakulam	Ernakulam
	Thrissur	Thrissur	Thrissur
	Kannur	Kannur	Kannur
Karnataka	Raichur	Raichur	Raichur
	Shimoga	Shimoga	Shimoga
	Udupi	Malpe fishing harbour	Udupi
	Ramanugra	Ramanugra	Ramanugra
Lakshadweep	Kavaratti	Kavaratti	Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep	Agatti	Agatti	Lakshadweep
Telangana	KarimNagar	District Head Quarter	KarimNagar
	Nizamabad		Nizamabad
	Wanaparthy		Wanaparthy
Bihar	Darbangha	Polo Ground/Auditorium	Darbangha
	Madhubani	Benipatti	Madhubani
	Muzaffarpur	District school, Ramna (Pani Tanki)	Muzaffarpur
Nagaland	Dimapur	Dimapur-Lab cum awareness center	Kiphire
West Bengal	Purbi Midnapur	Purbi Midnapur	Purbi Midnapur
West Bengal	South 24 Pargana	South 24 Pargana	South 24 Pargana
Assam	Dhubur	Dhubur	Dhubur
	Goalpara	Goalpara	Goalpara
	Nagaor	Nagaor	Nagaor
	Cachar	Cachar	Cachar
	Barpeta	Barpeta	Barpeta
Haryana	Hisar	District Fisheries Office	Hisar
Uttar Pradesh	Jhansi	Jhansi	Jhansi
	Gorakhpur	Gorakhpur	Gorakhpur
	Lucknow	Lucknow	Lucknow
	Agra	Agra	Agra
	Moradabad	Moradabad	Moradabad
	Allahabad	Allahabad	Allahabad
Rajasthan	Churu	Churu	Churu
	Banswara	Banswara	Banswara
	Kota	Kota	Kota
	Tonk	Tonk	Tonk
Tamil Nadu	Chennai		Chennai
	Cuddalore		Cuddalore
	Nagapattinam		Nagapattinam
	Bhavanisakar		Erode
	Mandapam		Ramanathapuram
	Rameshwaram		Ramanathapuram
	Thoothukudi	RK PURAM	Tuticorin
	Kulachal	Ganapathipuram	Kanya kumari
Manipur	Shamushang	Shamushang	Imphal West
	Uchiwa	Uchiwa
	Wangoi	Wangoi
	Kodompokpi	Kodompokpi
	Konthoujam	Konthoujam
	Paobitek	Paobitek
	Khumbong	Khumbong
	Komlakhong	Komlakhong
	Kumbi	Kumbi	Bishnupur
	Nambol	Nambol
	Toubul	Toubul
	Phubala	Phubala
	Pukhrambam	Pukhrambam
	Naorem	Naorem
	Thanga	Thanga
Mizoram	Buhchang	Buhchang	Kolasib
	Zawlnuam	Zawlnuam	Mamit
	Chhiahtlang	Chhiahtlang	Serchhip
	Champhai (Phaizawl)	Champhai (Phaizawl)	Champhai
Meghalaya	Tura	West Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills	West Garo Hills and South West Garo Hills
	Baghmara	South Garo Hills	South Garo Hills
	Williamnagar	East Garo Hills	East Garo Hills
	Resubelpara	North Garo Hills	North Garo Hills
Arunachal Pradesh	Namsai	Namsai	Namsai
Arunachal Pradesh	Ziro	Ziro	Ziro
Sikkim	Soreng DAC	Soreng	Soreng
	Rakdong	Gangtok	Gangtok
	Pakyong	Pakyong	Pakyong
	Geyzing	Geyzing	Geyzing
Jammu & Kashmir	Regional Fish Farmers Dev. Agency (RFFDA) , Ghomanhasan Jammu	FFDA Ghou Manhasan, Jammu	Jammu
	The National Fish Seed Farm (NFSF) Manasbal, Kashmir	Regional Fish Farmers Dev. Agency (RFFDA) ,Manasbal Kashmir,	Ganderbal
	Trout fish farming project Kokernag	Kokernag	Anantnag
Ladakh	Leh	Leh District	Leh District
Tripura	West Tripura	Khayerpur	West Tripura
	Sepahijala	Charilam	Sepahijala
	Gomati	Amarpur	Gomati
	South Tripura	Santirbar	South Tripura
	Dhalai	Fish Farmers Knowledge Centre, Dhumacherra	Dhalai
Andhra Pradesh	West Godavari	Bhimavaram	West Godavari
	Nellore	Nellore	Nellore
	Vishakapatnam	Vishakapatnam	Vishakapatnam
	Kakinada	Kakinada	Kakinada
	Krishna	Machilipatnam	Krishna
Himchal pradesh	Pong Reservoir	Nagrota Suriyan	Kangra
Odisha	Ganjam	Ganjam	Ganjam


	Jagatsinghpur	Jagatsinghpur	Jagatsinghpur


	Bhadrak	Bhadrak	Bhadrak


	Balasore	Balasore	Balasore


Jharkhand	Ranchi	Ranchi	Ranchi
	Palamu	Palamu	Palamu
	West Singhbum	West Singhbum	West Singhbum
	Pakur	Pakur	Pakur
	Koderma	Koderma	Koderma
	Godda	Godda	Godda
	Hazaribagh	Hazaribagh	Hazaribagh
	Saraikela	Saraikela	Saraikela
	Bokaro	Bokaro	Bokaro
	Dhanbad	Dhanbad	Dhanbad
GOA	Ponda Taluka	Shiroda Village	North Goa
	Tiswadi Village	Malim Jetty	North Goa
	Canacona Taluka	Palolem	South Goa
	Salcete Taluka	Benaulim Panchayat	South Goa
Puduchery	Ariyankuppam	Ariyankuppam	Puducherry
	Karaikal	Karaikal	Karaikal
	Mahi	Mahi	Mahi
	Yanam	Yanam	Yanam
Punjab	Ludhiana	Govt. Fish Seed Farm, Vil. Mohie	Ludhiana
	Sri Muktsar Sahib	Demonstration Farm-cum-Training Center, Vil. Ena Khera	Sri Muktsar Sahib
	Ferozepur	Govt. Fish Seed Farm, Malwal	Ferozepur
Uttarakhand	Pithoragarh	Director Fisheries Office	Pithoragarh
	Udham Singh Nagar	Brood-bank Khatima	Udham Singh Nagar
	Dehradun	Directorate of Fisheries	Dehradun
Gujarat	Dandi	Dandi Beach	Surat
	Veraval	Veraval	Girri Somanath
	Mangrol	Mangrol Bandar, Somanath Bhavan	Junagad
	Porbandar	Porbandar Harbor	Porbandar
Andaman & Nicobar	Andaman	Andaman	Andaman
	North & Middle Andaman	North & Middle Andaman	North & Middle Andaman
	Nicobar	Nicobar	Nicobar
Maharashtra	Mumbai City/Suburban and Thane/Palghar / Raigad	FSI & Sasoon Dock, Mumbai	Mumbai
	Sindhudurga / Ratnagiri /Raigad	Ratnagiri	Ratnagiri
	Kolhapur/Solapur/Satara/Solapur/Pune	Satara	Pune
	Nashik/Ch.Sambhajinagar/Latur	CH. Smbhajinagar	Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
	Nagpur/Amravati	Nagpur	Nagpur
	Nagpur/Amravati	Nagpur	Amravati

****

Aditi Agrawal

(Release ID: 2102667) Visitor Counter : 17

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Large-scale mergers in agro-industry – Ensuring fair competition and protection of small farmers – E-000072/2025(ASW)

Source: European Parliament

The Commission is fully aware that large-scale agro-industrial mergers may have an adverse impact on competition, small farmers, local cooperatives and sustainability.

These considerations are central to the Commission’s recent merger control investigations in the agricultural sector. For instance, in Case M.11204 Bunge/Viterra, the Commission assessed the effects of increased concentration of oilseed processing capacity in Central Europe, with potential negative effects on farmers.

In Case M.11382 AGCO/Trimble/JV, it assessed an acquisition in precision agriculture systems, which farmers use daily to optimize efficiency, productivity and sustainability of their operations. European farmers were invited to contribute to these investigations and their feedback was integral to the Commission’s analysis.

When necessary, the Commission has taken measures to prevent mergers from harming the EU agricultural sector’s competitiveness. In Case M.11204 Bunge/Viterra, approval was conditional upon the divestment of Viterra’s entire oilseed businesses in Hungary and Poland.

The independence, financial position, expertise and competitiveness of the proposed buyer will also be vetted, ensuring oilseed farmers in Hungary and Poland retain a diversified customer base.

The Commission will continue using all available tools to ensure agro-industrial concentration does not undermine the EU’s agricultural and environmental goals.

It will assess competition effects under the Merger Regulation, prevent distortions caused by third-country financial contributions under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation, and cooperate with Member States screening transactions under the Foreign Direct Investment Regulation.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI Europe: Minutes – Wednesday, 12 February 2025 – Strasbourg – Final edition

Source: European Parliament

PV-10-2025-02-12

iPlPv_Sit

Minutes
Wednesday, 12 February 2025 – Strasbourg

IN THE CHAIR: Roberta METSOLA
President

1. Opening of the sitting

The sitting opened at 09:04.

2. Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 72) (action taken)

The decision of the AFET and BUDG committees to enter into interinstitutional negotiations had been announced on 10 February 2025 (minutes of 10.2.2025, item 7).

As no request for a vote pursuant to Rule 72(2) had been made, the committees responsible had been able to enter into negotiations upon expiry of the deadline.

3. Commission Work Programme 2025 (debate)

Commission statement: Commission Work Programme 2025 (2025/2500(RSP))

The President gave explanations on the conduct of the debate, as a new format was being tested.

The following spoke: Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, on the presence of the Commission at the debate.

Maroš Šefčovič (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Jeroen Lenaers, on behalf of the PPE Group, Iratxe García Pérez, on behalf of the S&D Group, Jordan Bardella, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Renew Group, Bas Eickhout, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, René Aust, on behalf of the ESN Group, Tomas Tobé, Camilla Laureti, Sebastiaan Stöteler, who also answered a blue-card question from Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, Patryk Jaki, who also answered a blue-card question from Yvan Verougstraete, Billy Kelleher, Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, who also answered a blue-card question from Tomáš Zdechovský, Pasquale Tridico, Christine Anderson, Kateřina Konečná, who also answered a blue-card question from Tomáš Zdechovský, Dolors Montserrat, Mohammed Chahim, Tamás Deutsch, who also answered a blue-card question from Martin Hojsík, Lídia Pereira, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Gabriele Bischoff, Charlie Weimers, who also answered a blue-card question from Petras Gražulis, Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy, who also answered a blue-card question from Sander Smit, Željana Zovko, Damian Boeselager, Andrey Novakov, Yannis Maniatis, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Adrian-George Axinia, Gordan Bosanac, Tomislav Sokol, Ana Catarina Mendes, Irene Montero, Monika Beňová, Lena Düpont, Alex Agius Saliba, Karlo Ressler, Paolo Borchia, Assita Kanko, Martin Hojsík, Angelika Niebler, Anna Bryłka, Zsuzsanna Borvendég, Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Heléne Fritzon, Harald Vilimsky, Beata Szydło, Paulo Cunha, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Mario Mantovani, Hannah Neumann, Li Andersson, Thomas Geisel, Nikolina Brnjac, Kathleen Van Brempt, Gilles Pennelle, Ioan-Rareş Bogdan and Marion Maréchal.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Michał Wawrykiewicz, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Hilde Vautmans, Tilly Metz, Lynn Boylan, Lukas Sieper, Sunčana Glavak, Maria Grapini, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Seán Kelly, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Thomas Bajada, Cristina Maestre and Jean-Marc Germain.

The following spoke: Maroš Šefčovič.

The following spoke: Jeroen Lenaers, who referred to the presence of the Commission at the debate.

The debate closed.

4. One year after the murder of Alexei Navalny and the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia (debate)

Statements by Parliament: One year after the murder of Alexei Navalny and the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia (2024/2526(RSP))

The President made an introductory address.

The following spoke: Sandra Kalniete, on behalf of the PPE Group, Andreas Schieder, on behalf of the S&D Group, Pierre-Romain Thionnet, on behalf of the PfE Group, Nicola Procaccini, on behalf of the ECR Group, Bernard Guetta, on behalf of the Renew Group, Sergey Lagodinsky, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, and Petar Volgin, on behalf of the ESN Group.

The debate closed.

(The sitting was suspended for a few moments.)

IN THE CHAIR: Sophie WILMÈS
Vice-President

5. Resumption of the sitting

The sitting resumed at 12:05.

6. Voting time

For detailed results of the votes, see also ‘Results of votes’ and ‘Results of roll-call votes’.

6.1. VAT: rules for the digital age * (vote)

Report on the draft Council directive amending Directive 2006/112/EC as regards VAT rules for the digital age [15159/2024 – C10-0170/2024 – 2022/0407(CNS)] – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Ľudovít Ódor (A10-0001/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COUNCIL DRAFT

Approved by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0012)

The following had spoken:

Before the vote, Ľudovít Ódor (rapporteur) to make a statement on the basis of Rule 165(4).

(‘Results of votes’, item 1)

6.2. Administrative cooperation in the field of taxation * (vote)

Report on the proposal for a Council directive amending Directive 2011/16/EU on administrative cooperation in the field of taxation [COM(2024)0497 – C10-0169/2024 – 2024/0276(CNS)] – Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Rapporteur: Aurore Lalucq (A10-0002/2025)

(Majority of the votes cast)

COMMISSION PROPOSAL AU CONSEIL

Approved by single vote (P10_TA(2025)0013)

(‘Results of votes’, item 2)

6.3. Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize DP910521 (vote)

Motion for a resolution tabled by the ENVI Committee, in accordance with Rule 115(2) and 115(3), (B10-0061/2025) – Members responsible: Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Anja Hazekamp

(Majority of the votes cast)

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0014)

(‘Results of votes’, item 3)

6.4. Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize MON 95275 (vote)

Motion for a resolution tabled by the ENVI Committee, in accordance with Rule 115(2) and 115(3), on the draft Commission implementing decision authorising the placing on the market of products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified maize MON 95275 pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (D102172/03 – 2024/3011(RSP)) (B10-0060/2025) – Members responsible: Martin Häusling, Biljana Borzan, Anja Hazekamp

(Majority of the votes cast)

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

Adopted (P10_TA(2025)0015)

(‘Results of votes’, item 4)

(The sitting was suspended at 12:11.)

IN THE CHAIR: Martin HOJSÍK
Vice-President

7. Resumption of the sitting

The sitting resumed at 12:15.

8. Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

The minutes of the previous sitting were approved.

9. Collaboration between conservatives and the far right as a threat to competitiveness in the EU (topical debate)

The following spoke: René Repasi to open the debate proposed by the S&D Group.

The following spoke: Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Stéphane Séjourné (Executive Vice-President of the Commission).

The following spoke: Daniel Caspary, on behalf of the PPE Group, Javi López, on behalf of the S&D Group, António Tânger Corrêa, on behalf of the PfE Group, Carlo Fidanza, on behalf of the ECR Group, Billy Kelleher, on behalf of the Renew Group, Daniel Freund, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Martin Schirdewan, on behalf of The Left Group, Ivan David, on behalf of the ESN Group, Lukas Mandl, Heléne Fritzon, Klara Dostalova, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Sandro Gozi, Maria Ohisalo, Marina Mesure, Markus Buchheit, Lukas Sieper, Angelika Niebler, Katarina Barley, Anders Vistisen, Charlie Weimers, Charles Goerens, Thomas Waitz, Jussi Saramo, Erik Kaliňák, Alma Ezcurra Almansa, Mohammed Chahim, Paolo Borchia, Assita Kanko, Moritz Körner, Reinier Van Lanschot, Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus, Riho Terras, Alessandra Moretti, Ondřej Knotek, Stefano Cavedagna, Anna Stürgkh, Majdouline Sbai, François-Xavier Bellamy, Andreas Schieder, Jorge Buxadé Villalba, Cristian Terheş, Stefan Berger, Vasile Dîncu, Afroditi Latinopoulou, Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Csaba Dömötör, Estelle Ceulemans, Jean-Paul Garraud, Tiemo Wölken and Marc Angel.

The following spoke: Stéphane Séjourné and Adam Szłapka.

The debate closed.

10. Competitiveness Compass (debate)

Council and Commission statements: Competitiveness Compass (2025/2531(RSP))

Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Stéphane Séjourné (Executive Vice-President of the Commission) made the statements.

The following spoke: Christian Ehler, on behalf of the PPE Group.

IN THE CHAIR: Roberts ZĪLE
Vice-President

The following spoke: Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Tom Vandendriessche, on behalf of the PfE Group, Johan Van Overtveldt, on behalf of the ECR Group, Morten Løkkegaard, on behalf of the Renew Group, Marie Toussaint, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Hanna Gedin, on behalf of The Left Group, Sarah Knafo, on behalf of the ESN Group, Markus Ferber, Gabriele Bischoff, who also answered a blue-card question from Bogdan Rzońca, Anders Vistisen, Piotr Müller, João Cotrim De Figueiredo, Ville Niinistö, Anthony Smith, Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, Peter Liese, Alex Agius Saliba, Julie Rechagneux, who also answered a blue-card question from Anthony Smith, Elena Donazzan, Pascal Canfin, Sara Matthieu, Per Clausen, who also answered a blue-card question from Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Andreas Schwab, Irene Tinagli, who also answered a blue-card question from Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, András Gyürk, Gheorghe Piperea, Svenja Hahn, João Oliveira, Lídia Pereira, Aurore Lalucq, Jana Nagyová, Giovanni Crosetto, Anna-Maja Henriksson, Rudi Kennes, Massimiliano Salini, Ana Catarina Mendes, who also answered blue-card questions from João Oliveira and Lídia Pereira, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, who also answered a blue-card question from Dario Nardella, Kosma Złotowski, Anna Stürgkh, Fernando Navarrete Rojas, Estelle Ceulemans, Sebastian Kruis, Dick Erixon, Jeannette Baljeu, Jens Gieseke, Jonás Fernández, Tomasz Buczek, Antonella Sberna, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Tom Berendsen, Laura Ballarín Cereza, Pascale Piera, Nora Junco García, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Pilar del Castillo Vera, Dario Nardella, Ľudovít Ódor, Eszter Lakos and Carla Tavares.

IN THE CHAIR: Christel SCHALDEMOSE
Vice-President

The following spoke: Virgil-Daniel Popescu, Lara Wolters, Jessica Polfjärd, Delara Burkhardt, Eero Heinäluoma, Victor Negrescu and Marcos Ros Sempere.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Hélder Sousa Silva, Nina Carberry, Maria Zacharia, Maria Grapini and Sebastian Tynkkynen.

The following spoke: Stéphane Séjourné and Adam Szłapka.

The debate closed.

11. Composition of committees and delegations

The ECR Group had notified the President of the following decisions changing the composition of the committees and delegations:

– ITRE Committee: Diego Solier to replace Carlo Ciccioli

– PETI Committee: Chiara Gemma

The decisions took effect as of that day.

12. Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (debate)

Council and Commission statements: Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (2025/2532(RSP))

Adam Szłapka (President-in-Office of the Council) and Raffaele Fitto (Executive Vice-President of the Commission) made the statements.

The following spoke: Andrzej Halicki, on behalf of the PPE Group, Marcos Ros Sempere, on behalf of the S&D Group, Sebastian Tynkkynen, on behalf of the ECR Group, Ľubica Karvašová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Mārtiņš Staķis, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Marcin Sypniewski, on behalf of the ESN Group, Ioan-Rareş Bogdan, Marina Kaljurand, Tobiasz Bocheński, Elsi Katainen, Michael von der Schulenburg, Andrey Novakov, Eero Heinäluoma, Georgiana Teodorescu, Eugen Tomac, Mika Aaltola, Carla Tavares, Aurelijus Veryga, Petras Auštrevičius, Riho Terras, Reinis Pozņaks, Christophe Gomart and Maciej Wąsik.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Seán Kelly, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Liudas Mažylis, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė and Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă.

The following spoke: Raffaele Fitto and Adam Szłapka.

The debate closed.

13. US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organisation, and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid (debate)

Commission statement: US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organisation, and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid (2025/2527(RSP))

Hadja Lahbib (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Michał Szczerba, on behalf of the PPE Group, Mohammed Chahim, on behalf of the S&D Group, Ondřej Knotek, on behalf of the PfE Group, Alexandr Vondra, on behalf of the ECR Group, Barry Andrews, on behalf of the Renew Group, Michael Bloss, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Jonas Sjöstedt, on behalf of The Left Group, Christine Anderson, on behalf of the ESN Group, Udo Bullmann, who also declined to take a blue-card question from Alexander Sell, António Tânger Corrêa, Anna Zalewska, Dan Barna, Ignazio Roberto Marino, Isabel Serra Sánchez, Alexander Sell, Ondřej Dostál, Tomislav Sokol, Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis, Gerolf Annemans, Francesco Torselli, Charles Goerens, Lena Schilling, Marc Botenga, Anja Arndt, David McAllister, Tiemo Wölken, who also answered a blue-card question from Alexander Sell, Julien Sanchez, Laurence Trochu, Sigrid Friis and Isabella Lövin.

IN THE CHAIR: Antonella SBERNA
Vice-President

The following spoke: Catarina Martins, who also answered a blue-card question from Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Stanislav Stoyanov, Radan Kanev, Nicola Zingaretti, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, Sergio Berlato, who also answered a blue-card question from Radan Kanev, Michal Wiezik, Rasmus Nordqvist, Valentina Palmisano, Milan Mazurek, Lídia Pereira, Marta Temido, who also answered a blue-card question from João Oliveira, Marieke Ehlers, who also answered a blue-card question from Nicolae Ştefănuță, Lukas Sieper on some of the remarks made by the previous speaker, Nikolas Farantouris, Sander Smit, who also answered a blue-card question from Anna Strolenberg, Antonio Decaro, Hermann Tertsch, Murielle Laurent, Roman Haider, Leire Pajín, Virginie Joron, Heléne Fritzon, Gerald Hauser, Robert Biedroń, Anne-Sophie Frigout and Aleksandar Nikolic.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Seán Kelly, Marit Maij, Alexander Jungbluth, Lukas Sieper, Nikolina Brnjac and Michał Wawrykiewicz.

The following spoke: Hadja Lahbib.

The debate closed.

14. Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: advancing media freedom, strengthening the rule of law and protecting journalists across the EU (debate)

Commission statement: Honouring the memory of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová: advancing media freedom, strengthening the rule of law and protecting journalists across the EU (2025/2556(RSP))

Michael McGrath (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Miriam Lexmann, on behalf of the PPE Group, Ana Catarina Mendes, on behalf of the S&D Group, Juan Carlos Girauta Vidal, on behalf of the PfE Group, Małgorzata Gosiewska, on behalf of the ECR Group, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Tineke Strik, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Konstantinos Arvanitis, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Uhrík, on behalf of the ESN Group, David Casa, Emma Rafowicz, Irena Joveva, Katarína Roth Neveďalová, Magdalena Adamowicz, Sophie Wilmès, Hristo Petrov and Laurence Farreng.

IN THE CHAIR: Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS
Vice-President

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Maria Zacharia and Lukas Sieper.

The following spoke: Michael McGrath.

The debate closed.

15. Debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (debate)

(For the titles and authors of the motions for resolutions, see minutes of 12.2.2025, item I.)

15.1. Recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye

Motions for resolutions B10-0100/2025, B10-0103/2025, B10-0110/2025, B10-0115/2025, B10-0119/2025, B10-0121/2025 and B10-0124/2025 (2025/2546(RSP))

Michalis Hadjipantela, Evin Incir, Malik Azmani, Vladimir Prebilič, Isabel Serra Sánchez and Sebastiaan Stöteler introduced their groups’ motions for resolutions.

The following spoke: Reinhold Lopatka, on behalf of the PPE Group, Nacho Sánchez Amor, on behalf of the S&D Group, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group, Mélissa Camara, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Giorgos Georgiou, on behalf of The Left Group, Nikos Papandreou and Per Clausen.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Geadis Geadi and Maria Zacharia.

The following spoke: Glenn Micallef (Member of the Commission).

The debate closed.

Vote: 13 February 2025.

15.2. Repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular

Motions for resolutions B10-0126/2025, B10-0128/2025, B10-0130/2025, B10-0131/2025, B10-0132/2025, B10-0134/2025 and B10-0135/2025 (2025/2547(RSP))

Željana Zovko, Leire Pajín, Carlo Fidanza, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Diana Riba i Giner and Tomasz Froelich introduced their groups’ motions for resolutions.

The following spoke: Antonio López-Istúriz White, on behalf of the PPE Group, Francisco Assis, on behalf of the S&D Group, Davor Ivo Stier, Gabriel Mato and Francisco José Millán Mon.

The following spoke: Glenn Micallef (Member of the Commission).

The debate closed.

Vote: 13 February 2025.

15.3. Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu

Motions for resolutions B10-0101/2025, B10-0104/2025, B10-0111/2025, B10-0113/2025, B10-0117/2025, B10-0120/2025, B10-0122/2025 and B10-0123/2025 (2025/2548(RSP))

Miriam Lexmann, Hannes Heide, Bert-Jan Ruissen, Catarina Vieira, Merja Kyllönen, Susanna Ceccardi and Tomasz Froelich introduced their groups’ motions for resolutions.

The following spoke: Arkadiusz Mularczyk, on behalf of the ECR Group.

The following spoke: Glenn Micallef (Member of the Commission).

The debate closed.

Vote: 13 February 2025.

16. Silent crisis: the mental health of Europe’s youth (debate)

Commission statement: Silent crisis: the mental health of Europe’s youth (2025/2552(RSP))

Glenn Micallef (Member of the Commission) made the statement.

The following spoke: Tomislav Sokol, on behalf of the PPE Group, Alex Agius Saliba, on behalf of the S&D Group, Aurelijus Veryga, on behalf of the ECR Group, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, on behalf of the Renew Group, Ignazio Roberto Marino, on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group, Catarina Martins, on behalf of The Left Group, Milan Mazurek, on behalf of the ESN Group, Adam Jarubas, Nikos Papandreou, Michele Picaro and Nicolae Ştefănuță.

IN THE CHAIR: Victor NEGRESCU
Vice-President

The following spoke: Emma Fourreau, Alvise Pérez, András Tivadar Kulja, Romana Jerković, Kim Van Sparrentak, Elena Nevado del Campo, Nicolás González Casares, Peter Agius, Maria Walsh and Jessika Van Leeuwen.

The following spoke under the catch-the-eye procedure: Martine Kemp, Ana Miranda Paz, João Oliveira and Sunčana Glavak.

The following spoke: Glenn Micallef.

The debate closed.

17. Explanations of vote

Written explanations of vote

Explanations of vote submitted in writing under Rule 201 appear on the Members’ pages on Parliament’s website.

18. Agenda of the next sitting

The next sitting would be held the following day, 13 February 2025, starting at 09:00. The agenda was available on Parliament’s website.

19. Approval of the minutes of the sitting

In accordance with Rule 208(3), the minutes of the sitting would be put to the House for approval at the beginning of the afternoon of the next sitting.

20. Closure of the sitting

The sitting closed at 21:26.

LIST OF DOCUMENTS SERVING AS A BASIS FOR THE DEBATES AND DECISIONS OF PARLIAMENT

I. Motions for resolutions tabled

Recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye

The following Members or political groups had requested that a debate be held, in accordance with Rule 150, on the following motions for resolutions:

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0100/2025)
Isabel Serra Sánchez, Özlem Demirel
on behalf of The Left Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0103/2025)
Vladimir Prebilič, Mélissa Camara, Mounir Satouri, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez, Catarina Vieira, Maria Ohisalo, Erik Marquardt, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Ville Niinistö, Villy Søvndal
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0110/2025)
Malik Azmani, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Jan-Christoph Oetjen, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Sophie Wilmès, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0115/2025)
Sebastiaan Stöteler, Marieke Ehlers, Jaroslav Bžoch, Roberto Vannacci, Susanna Ceccardi
on behalf of the PfE Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0119/2025)
Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Nacho Sánchez Amor, Evin Incir, Nikos Papandreou, Pina Picierno
on behalf of the S&D Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0121/2025)
Sebastião Bugalho, Vangelis Meimarakis, Željana Zovko, Wouter Beke, Antonio López Istúriz White, Isabel Wiseler Lima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Inese Vaidere
on behalf of the PPE Group

on the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Türkiye (B10-0124/2025)
Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Veronika Vrecionová, Ondřej Krutílek, Assita Kanko, Alexandr Vondra
on behalf of the ECR Group

Repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular

The following Members or political groups had requested that a debate be held, in accordance with Rule 150, on the following motions for resolutions:

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0126/2025)
Sebastião Bugalho, Željana Zovko, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Gabriel Mato, David McAllister, Vangelis Meimarakis, Wouter Beke, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Andrey Kovatchev, Inese Vaidere
on behalf of the PPE Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0128/2025)
Diana Riba i Giner, Catarina Vieira, Maria Ohisalo, Nicolae Ştefănuță, Ville Niinistö
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0130/2025)
Tomasz Froelich
on behalf of the ESN Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0131/2025)
Bernard Guetta, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0132/2025)
Hermann Tertsch, Jorge Martín Frías, Gerolf Annemans, Nikola Bartůšek, Roberto Vannacci, Susanna Ceccardi
on behalf of the PfE Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0134/2025)
Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Leire Pajín
on behalf of the S&D Group

on the repression by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, targeting human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities in particular (B10-0135/2025)
Adam Bielan, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Mariusz Kamiński, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Assita Kanko, Ivaylo Valchev, Alexandr Vondra, Aurelijus Veryga, Alberico Gambino
on behalf of the ECR Group

Continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu

The following Members or political groups had requested that a debate be held, in accordance with Rule 150, on the following motions for resolutions:

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0101/2025)
Merja Kyllönen
on behalf of The Left Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0104/2025)
Catarina Vieira, Maria Ohisalo, Nicolae Ştefănuță
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0111/2025)
Susanna Ceccardi, Nikola Bartůšek
on behalf of the PfE Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0113/2025)
Tomasz Froelich
on behalf of the ESN Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0117/2025)
Jan Christoph Oetjen, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Engin Eroglu, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Urmas Paet, Marie Agnes Strack Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
on behalf of the Renew Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0120/2025)
Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Hannes Heide
on behalf of the S&D Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0122/2025)
Sebastião Bugalho, Vangelis Meimarakis, Željana Zovko, Wouter Beke, Isabel Wiseler Lima, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Tomáš Zdechovský, Mirosława Nykiel, Jessica Polfjärd, Luděk Niedermayer, Jan Farský, Inese Vaidere, Andrey Kovatchev
on behalf of the PPE Group

on continuing detention and risk of the death penalty for individuals in Nigeria charged with blasphemy, notably the case of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu (B10-0123/2025)
Bert Jan Ruissen, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Bogdan Rzońca, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Michał Dworczyk, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Assita Kanko, Alexandr Vondra, Alberico Gambino
on behalf of the ECR Group

II. Delegated acts (Rule 114(2))

Draft delegated acts forwarded to Parliament

– Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Regulation (EU) 600/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards OTC derivatives identifying reference data to be used for the purposes of the transparency requirements laid down in Article 8a(2) and Articles 10 and 21 (C(2025)00417 – 2025/2534(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 24 January 2025

referred to committee responsible: ECON

– Commission Delegated Regulation amending the regulatory technical standards laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/931 as regards the specification of the formula for calculating the supervisory delta of call and put options mapped to the commodity risk category (C(2025)00459 – 2025/2537(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 28 January 2025

referred to committee responsible: ECON

– Commission Delegated Regulation amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/624 as regards ante-mortem inspections in slaughterhouses, ante-mortem inspections at the holding of provenance and post-mortem inspections (C(2025)00539 – 2025/2540(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 30 January 2025

referred to committee responsible: ENVI
opinion: AGRI

– Commission Delegated Regulation amending the regulatory technical standards laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2059, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2060 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1577 as regards the technical details of back-testing and profit and loss attribution requirements, the criteria for assessing the modellability of risk factors, and the treatment of foreign-exchange risk and commodity risk in the non-trading book (C(2025)00595 – 2025/2543(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 3 months from the date of receipt of 3 February 2025

referred to committee responsible: ECON

– Commission Delegated Regulation supplementing Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council by laying down detailed rules for the yearly calculation of price differences between eligible aviation fuels and fossil kerosene and for the EU ETS allocation of allowances for the use of eligible aviation fuels (C(2025)00681 – 2025/2559(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 6 February 2025

referred to committee responsible: ENVI
opinion: ITRE

– Commission Delegated Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2023/2053 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the management of bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and in the Mediterranean (C(2025)00748 – 2025/2560(DEA))

Deadline for raising objections: 2 months from the date of receipt of 7 February 2025

referred to committee responsible: PECH

III. Implementing measures (Rule 115)

Draft implementing measures falling under the regulatory procedure with scrutiny forwarded to Parliament

– Commission Regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1803 as regards International Financial Reporting Standard 9 and International Financial Reporting Standard 7 (Text with EEA relevance) (D103844/01 – 2025/2525(RPS) – deadline: 21 April 2025)
referred to committee responsible: ECON
opinion: JURI

– Commission Regulation amending and correcting Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 as regards certain requirements for the placing on the market and imports of animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption (D103880/01 – 2025/2535(RPS) – deadline: 28 April 2025)
referred to committee responsible: ENVI

IV. Transfers of appropriations and budgetary decisions

In accordance with Article 29 of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve transfer of appropriations No 1/2025 – Section IX – European Data Protection Supervisor.

In accordance with Article 31(1) of the Financial Regulation, the Committee on Budgets had decided to approve the Commission’s transfer of appropriations DEC 01/2025 – Section III – Commission.

In accordance with Article 31(6) of the Financial Regulation, the Council of the European Union had decided to approve the Commission’s transfer of appropriations DEC 01/2025 – Section III – Commission.

ATTENDANCE REGISTER

Present:

Aaltola Mika, Abadía Jover Maravillas, Adamowicz Magdalena, Aftias Georgios, Agirregoitia Martínez Oihane, Agius Peter, Agius Saliba Alex, Alexandraki Galato, Allione Grégory, Al-Sahlani Abir, Anadiotis Nikolaos, Anderson Christine, Andersson Li, Andresen Rasmus, Andrews Barry, Andriukaitis Vytenis Povilas, Androuët Mathilde, Angel Marc, Annemans Gerolf, Annunziata Lucia, Antoci Giuseppe, Arias Echeverría Pablo, Arimont Pascal, Arłukowicz Bartosz, Arnaoutoglou Sakis, Arndt Anja, Arvanitis Konstantinos, Asens Llodrà Jaume, Assis Francisco, Attard Daniel, Aubry Manon, Auštrevičius Petras, Axinia Adrian-George, Azmani Malik, Bajada Thomas, Baljeu Jeannette, Ballarín Cereza Laura, Bardella Jordan, Barley Katarina, Barna Dan, Barrena Arza Pernando, Bartulica Stephen Nikola, Bartůšek Nikola, Bausemer Arno, Bay Nicolas, Bay Christophe, Beke Wouter, Beleris Fredis, Bellamy François-Xavier, Benea Adrian-Dragoş, Benifei Brando, Benjumea Benjumea Isabel, Beňová Monika, Bentele Hildegard, Berendsen Tom, Berger Stefan, Berg Sibylle, Berlato Sergio, Bernhuber Alexander, Biedroń Robert, Bielan Adam, Bischoff Gabriele, Blaha Ľuboš, Blinkevičiūtė Vilija, Blom Rachel, Bloss Michael, Bocheński Tobiasz, Boeselager Damian, Bogdan Ioan-Rareş, Bonaccini Stefano, Bonte Barbara, Borchia Paolo, Borrás Pabón Mireia, Borvendég Zsuzsanna, Borzan Biljana, Bosanac Gordan, Bosse Stine, Botenga Marc, Boyer Gilles, Boylan Lynn, Brandstätter Helmut, Brasier-Clain Marie-Luce, Braun Grzegorz, Brejza Krzysztof, Bricmont Saskia, Brnjac Nikolina, Brudziński Joachim Stanisław, Bryłka Anna, Buchheit Markus, Buczek Tomasz, Buda Daniel, Budka Borys, Bugalho Sebastião, Buła Andrzej, Bullmann Udo, Burkhardt Delara, Buxadé Villalba Jorge, Bystron Petr, Bžoch Jaroslav, Camara Mélissa, Canfin Pascal, Carberry Nina, Cârciu Gheorghe, Carême Damien, Casa David, Caspary Daniel, Cassart Benoit, Castillo Laurent, del Castillo Vera Pilar, Cavazzini Anna, Cavedagna Stefano, Ceccardi Susanna, Cepeda José, Ceulemans Estelle, Chahim Mohammed, Chaibi Leila, Chastel Olivier, Chinnici Caterina, Cifrová Ostrihoňová Veronika, Ciriani Alessandro, Cisint Anna Maria, Clausen Per, Cormand David, Corrado Annalisa, Costanzo Vivien, Cotrim De Figueiredo João, Cowen Barry, Cremer Tobias, Crespo Díaz Carmen, Cristea Andi, Crosetto Giovanni, Cunha Paulo, Dahl Henrik, Danielsson Johan, Dauchy Marie, Dávid Dóra, David Ivan, Decaro Antonio, de la Hoz Quintano Raúl, Della Valle Danilo, Deloge Valérie, De Masi Fabio, De Meo Salvatore, Deutsch Tamás, Dibrani Adnan, Diepeveen Ton, Dieringer Elisabeth, Dîncu Vasile, Disdier Mélanie, Dobrev Klára, Doherty Regina, Doleschal Christian, Dömötör Csaba, Do Nascimento Cabral Paulo, Donazzan Elena, Dorfmann Herbert, Dostalova Klara, Dostál Ondřej, Düpont Lena, Dworczyk Michał, Ecke Matthias, Ehler Christian, Ehlers Marieke, Eriksson Sofie, Erixon Dick, Eroglu Engin, Estaràs Ferragut Rosa, Ezcurra Almansa Alma, Falcă Gheorghe, Farantouris Nikolas, Farreng Laurence, Farský Jan, Ferber Markus, Ferenc Viktória, Fernández Jonás, Fidanza Carlo, Firea Gabriela, Firmenich Ruth, Fita Claire, Flanagan Luke Ming, Fourlas Loucas, Fourreau Emma, Fragkos Emmanouil, Freund Daniel, Frigout Anne-Sophie, Friis Sigrid, Fritzon Heléne, Froelich Tomasz, Funchion Kathleen, Furet Angéline, Furore Mario, Gahler Michael, Gál Kinga, Gálvez Lina, Gambino Alberico, García Hermida-Van Der Walle Raquel, Garraud Jean-Paul, Gasiuk-Pihowicz Kamila, Geadi Geadis, Gedin Hanna, Geese Alexandra, Geier Jens, Geisel Thomas, Gemma Chiara, Georgiou Giorgos, Gerbrandy Gerben-Jan, Germain Jean-Marc, Gerzsenyi Gabriella, Geuking Niels, Gieseke Jens, Giménez Larraz Borja, Girauta Vidal Juan Carlos, Glavak Sunčana, Glucksmann Raphaël, Goerens Charles, Gomart Christophe, Gomes Isilda, Gómez López Sandra, Gonçalves Bruno, Gonçalves Sérgio, González Casares Nicolás, González Pons Esteban, Gori Giorgio, Gosiewska Małgorzata, Gotink Dirk, Gozi Sandro, Grapini Maria, Gražulis Petras, Gregorová Markéta, Grims Branko, Griset Catherine, Gronkiewicz-Waltz Hanna, Groothuis Bart, Grossmann Elisabeth, Gualmini Elisabetta, Guarda Cristina, Guetta Bernard, Guzenina Maria, Győri Enikő, Gyürk András, Hadjipantela Michalis, Hahn Svenja, Haider Roman, Halicki Andrzej, Hansen Niels Flemming, Hassan Rima, Hauser Gerald, Häusling Martin, Hava Mircea-Gheorghe, Hazekamp Anja, Heide Hannes, Heinäluoma Eero, Henriksson Anna-Maja, Herbst Niclas, Herranz García Esther, Hetman Krzysztof, Hohlmeier Monika, Hojsík Martin, Holmgren Pär, Hölvényi György, Homs Ginel Alicia, Humberto Sérgio, Ijabs Ivars, Imart Céline, Inselvini Paolo, Iovanovici Şoşoacă Diana, Jaki Patryk, Jalloul Muro Hana, Jamet France, Jarubas Adam, Jerković Romana, Joński Dariusz, Joron Virginie, Jouvet Pierre, Joveva Irena, Juknevičienė Rasa, Junco García Nora, Jungbluth Alexander, Kabilov Taner, Kalfon François, Kaliňák Erik, Kaljurand Marina, Kalniete Sandra, Kamiński Mariusz, Kanev Radan, Kanko Assita, Karlsbro Karin, Kartheiser Fernand, Karvašová Ľubica, Katainen Elsi, Kefalogiannis Emmanouil, Kelleher Billy, Keller Fabienne, Kelly Seán, Kemp Martine, Kennes Rudi, Knafo Sarah, Knotek Ondřej, Kobosko Michał, Köhler Stefan, Kohut Łukasz, Kokalari Arba, Kolář Ondřej, Kollár Kinga, Kols Rihards, Konečná Kateřina, Kopacz Ewa, Körner Moritz, Kountoura Elena, Kovatchev Andrey, Krah Maximilian, Krištopans Vilis, Kruis Sebastian, Krutílek Ondřej, Kubín Tomáš, Kuhnke Alice, Kulja András Tivadar, Kulmuni Katri, Kyllönen Merja, Kyuchyuk Ilhan, Lagodinsky Sergey, Lakos Eszter, Lalucq Aurore, Lange Bernd, Langensiepen Katrin, Laššáková Judita, László András, Latinopoulou Afroditi, Laurent Murielle, Laureti Camilla, Laykova Rada, Lazarov Ilia, Lazarus Luis-Vicențiu, Le Callennec Isabelle, Leggeri Fabrice, Lenaers Jeroen, Lewandowski Janusz, Lexmann Miriam, Liese Peter, Lins Norbert, Løkkegaard Morten, Lopatka Reinhold, López Javi, López Aguilar Juan Fernando, López-Istúriz White Antonio, Lövin Isabella, Luena César, Lupo Giuseppe, McAllister David, Madison Jaak, Maestre Cristina, Magoni Lara, Magyar Péter, Maij Marit, Maląg Marlena, Manda Claudiu, Mandl Lukas, Maniatis Yannis, Mantovani Mario, Maran Pierfrancesco, Marczułajtis-Walczak Jagna, Maréchal Marion, Mariani Thierry, Marino Ignazio Roberto, Marquardt Erik, Martín Frías Jorge, Martins Catarina, Martusciello Fulvio, Mato Gabriel, Matthieu Sara, Mavrides Costas, Mayer Georg, Mazurek Milan, Mažylis Liudas, McNamara Michael, Mebarek Nora, Mehnert Alexandra, Meimarakis Vangelis, Meleti Eleonora, Mendes Ana Catarina, Mendia Idoia, Mertens Verena, Mesure Marina, Metsola Roberta, Metz Tilly, Mikser Sven, Milazzo Giuseppe, Millán Mon Francisco José, Minchev Nikola, Miranda Paz Ana, Montero Irene, Montserrat Dolors, Morace Carolina, Moreira de Sá Tiago, Moreno Sánchez Javier, Moretti Alessandra, Motreanu Dan-Ştefan, Mularczyk Arkadiusz, Müller Piotr, Mureşan Siegfried, Nagyová Jana, Nardella Dario, Navarrete Rojas Fernando, Negrescu Victor, Nemec Matjaž, Nesci Denis, Neuhoff Hans, Neumann Hannah, Nevado del Campo Elena, Niebler Angelika, Niedermayer Luděk, Niinistö Ville, Nikolaou-Alavanos Lefteris, Nikolic Aleksandar, Ní Mhurchú Cynthia, Noichl Maria, Nordqvist Rasmus, Novakov Andrey, Nykiel Mirosława, Obajtek Daniel, Ódor Ľudovít, Oetjen Jan-Christoph, Ohisalo Maria, Oliveira João, Olivier Philippe, Omarjee Younous, Ó Ríordáin Aodhán, Ozdoba Jacek, Paet Urmas, Pajín Leire, Palmisano Valentina, Panayiotou Fidias, Papadakis Kostas, Papandreou Nikos, Pappas Nikos, Pascual de la Parte Nicolás, Patriciello Aldo, Paulus Jutta, Pedro Ana Miguel, Pedulla’ Gaetano, Pellerin-Carlin Thomas, Peltier Guillaume, Penkova Tsvetelina, Pennelle Gilles, Pereira Lídia, Pérez Alvise, Peter-Hansen Kira Marie, Petrov Hristo, Picaro Michele, Picierno Pina, Picula Tonino, Piera Pascale, Pimpie Pierre, Piperea Gheorghe, de la Pisa Carrión Margarita, Pokorná Jermanová Jaroslava, Polato Daniele, Polfjärd Jessica, Popescu Virgil-Daniel, Pozņaks Reinis, Prebilič Vladimir, Princi Giusi, Pürner Friedrich, Rackete Carola, Radev Emil, Radtke Dennis, Rafowicz Emma, Ratas Jüri, Razza Ruggero, Rechagneux Julie, Regner Evelyn, Repasi René, Repp Sabrina, Ressler Karlo, Reuten Thijs, Riba i Giner Diana, Ricci Matteo, Ridel Chloé, Riehl Nela, Ripa Manuela, Ros Sempere Marcos, Roth Neveďalová Katarína, Rougé André, Ruissen Bert-Jan, Ruotolo Sandro, Rzońca Bogdan, Saeidi Arash, Salini Massimiliano, Salis Ilaria, Salla Aura, Sánchez Amor Nacho, Sanchez Julien, Sancho Murillo Elena, Sardone Silvia, Šarec Marjan, Sargiacomo Eric, Satouri Mounir, Saudargas Paulius, Sbai Majdouline, Sberna Antonella, Schaldemose Christel, Schaller-Baross Ernő, Schenk Oliver, Scheuring-Wielgus Joanna, Schieder Andreas, Schilling Lena, Schwab Andreas, Scuderi Benedetta, Seekatz Ralf, Sell Alexander, Serrano Sierra Rosa, Serra Sánchez Isabel, Sidl Günther, Sienkiewicz Bartłomiej, Sieper Lukas, Simon Sven, Singer Christine, Sinkevičius Virginijus, Sippel Birgit, Sjöstedt Jonas, Śmiszek Krzysztof, Smith Anthony, Smit Sander, Sokol Tomislav, Solier Diego, Solís Pérez Susana, Sommen Liesbet, Sonneborn Martin, Sorel Malika, Sousa Silva Hélder, Søvndal Villy, Staķis Mārtiņš, Stancanelli Raffaele, Ştefănuță Nicolae, Steger Petra, Stier Davor Ivo, Storm Kristoffer, Stöteler Sebastiaan, Stoyanov Stanislav, Strack-Zimmermann Marie-Agnes, Strada Cecilia, Streit Joachim, Strik Tineke, Strolenberg Anna, Sturdza Şerban Dimitrie, Stürgkh Anna, Sypniewski Marcin, Szczerba Michał, Szekeres Pál, Szydło Beata, Tamburrano Dario, Tânger Corrêa António, Tarczyński Dominik, Tarquinio Marco, Tarr Zoltán, Târziu Claudiu-Richard, Tavares Carla, Tegethoff Kai, Temido Marta, Teodorescu Georgiana, Teodorescu Måwe Alice, Terheş Cristian, Ter Laak Ingeborg, Terras Riho, Tertsch Hermann, Thionnet Pierre-Romain, Timgren Beatrice, Tinagli Irene, Tobé Tomas, Tolassy Rody, Tomac Eugen, Tomašič Zala, Tomaszewski Waldemar, Tomc Romana, Tonin Matej, Toom Jana, Topo Raffaele, Torselli Francesco, Tosi Flavio, Toussaint Marie, Tovaglieri Isabella, Toveri Pekka, Tridico Pasquale, Trochu Laurence, Tsiodras Dimitris, Tudose Mihai, Turek Filip, Tynkkynen Sebastian, Uhrík Milan, Vaidere Inese, Valchev Ivaylo, Vălean Adina, Valet Matthieu, Van Brempt Kathleen, Van Brug Anouk, van den Berg Brigitte, Vandendriessche Tom, Van Dijck Kris, Van Lanschot Reinier, Van Leeuwen Jessika, Vannacci Roberto, Van Overtveldt Johan, Van Sparrentak Kim, Varaut Alexandre, Vasconcelos Ana, Vasile-Voiculescu Vlad, Vautmans Hilde, Vedrenne Marie-Pierre, Ventola Francesco, Verougstraete Yvan, Veryga Aurelijus, Vešligaj Marko, Vicsek Annamária, Vieira Catarina, Vilimsky Harald, Vincze Loránt, Vind Marianne, Vistisen Anders, Vivaldini Mariateresa, Volgin Petar, von der Schulenburg Michael, Vondra Alexandr, Voss Axel, Vozemberg-Vrionidi Elissavet, Vrecionová Veronika, Vázquez Lázara Adrián, Waitz Thomas, Walsh Maria, Walsmann Marion, Warborn Jörgen, Warnke Jan-Peter, Wąsik Maciej, Wawrykiewicz Michał, Wcisło Marta, Wechsler Andrea, Weimers Charlie, Werbrouck Séverine, Wiesner Emma, Wiezik Michal, Wilmès Sophie, Winkler Iuliu, Winzig Angelika, Wiseler-Lima Isabel, Wiśniewska Jadwiga, Wölken Tiemo, Wolters Lara, Yar Lucia, Yon-Courtin Stéphanie, Yoncheva Elena, Zacharia Maria, Zalewska Anna, Žalimas Dainius, Zan Alessandro, Zdechovský Tomáš, Zdrojewski Bogdan Andrzej, Zijlstra Auke, Zīle Roberts, Zingaretti Nicola, Złotowski Kosma, Zoido Álvarez Juan Ignacio, Zovko Željana, Zver Milan

Excused:

Morano Nadine, Zarzalejos Javier

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 14, 2025

MIL-OSI: Altus Group Releases its Q4 2024 Pan-European Dataset Analysis on CRE Valuation Trends
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LONDON, Feb. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Altus Group Limited (“Altus”) (TSX: AIF), a leading provider of asset and fund intelligence for commercial real estate (“CRE”), today released its Q4 2024 Pan-European dataset analysis on European property market valuation trends.

Each quarter, Altus Group centralizes and aggregates CRE valuation data for the European market, pulling insights into the factors driving commercial property valuations. The Q4 2024 aggregate dataset included Pan-European open-ended diversified funds, representing €29 billion in assets under management. The funds cover 17 countries and primarily span the industrial, office, retail and residential property sectors.

“The latest data across the Pan-European valuation dataset suggests that real estate markets in parts of Europe are entering a recovery phase, with values now rising for two consecutive quarters after two years of declines,” said Phil Tily, Senior Vice President at Altus Group. “The industrial and residential sectors led the rebound in the fourth quarter of 2024, with yield stabilization and improving cashflows signalling a more positive market outlook moving forward.”

Commercial property values across the Pan-European valuation dataset increased for the second consecutive quarter in Q4, rising 0.8% over Q3, with all sectors seeing gains, albeit with a mixed set of results from a yield and cashflow perspective. Values rose 0.4% overall in 2024, as gains in Q3 and Q4 offset declines from the first half of the year, driven mainly by industrial, residential, and other property categories.

Key highlights by sector include:
- Industrial: The industrial sector was the top performer in Q4 with a 1.0% value increase over Q3 2024 and 1.6% annually. The improvement was supported by a positive pricing adjustment with yields declining, although cashflow fundamentals eased as rental growth slowed during the back end of the year. The largest valuation gains were reported in Germany.
- Residential: Residential values rose by 0.9% in Q4 and 1.4% for the full year – both above average. The improvement was driven by comparatively strong cash flow fundamentals with above-average rent growth. Values in the two largest residential markets in the dataset, the Netherlands and Germany, continued to strengthen, increasing 1.0% and 0.8% respectively in the quarter.
- Office: Office values rose 0.8% over Q3 2024, up for two consecutive quarters now. Further yield expansion, reflecting ongoing investor caution towards the sector, was counterbalanced by strengthening cashflow resulting in office values continuing to rise over the quarter. Sweden was the standout performer in this sector in Q4.
- Retail: After leading performance in Q3 2024, the retail sector saw only modest growth in Q4, with values still rising 0.3%. Rising yields held back values for high street stores and shopping centres, while falling yields for retail warehouses helped boost values by 1.9%.
- Other: Outside of the main sectors, hotels had another strong quarter, with positive investor sentiment driving yield improvements and above-average value growth.
For detailed review of the sector trends by asset class, please click here.

About Altus Group

Altus Group is a leading provider of asset and fund intelligence for commercial real estate. We deliver intelligence as a service to our global client base through a connected platform of industry-leading technology, advanced analytics, and advisory services. Trusted by the largest CRE leaders, our capabilities help commercial real estate investors, developers, lenders, and advisors manage risks and improve performance returns throughout the asset and fund lifecycle. Altus Group is a global company headquartered in Toronto with approximately 1,900 employees across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific. For more information about Altus (TSX: AIF) please visit www.altusgroup.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Elizabeth Lambe
Director, Global Communications, Altus Group
+1-416-641-9787
elizabeth.lambe@altusgroup.com

The MIL Network –
February 14, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP welcomes contribution from Government of Uganda to support learning and nutrition from Karamoja students

Source: World Food Programme

KAMPALA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of UGX2.5 billion (US$680,000) from the Government of Uganda to support Home-Grown School Feeding programmes in the Karamoja region of north-east Uganda.

WFP supports 250,000 children in 320 schools in Karamoja with daily nutritious meals through Home-Grown School Feeding programmes. This programme provides children with safe, diverse, and nutritious foods which are sourced locally from smallholder farmers and school gardens. Providing children with a meal at school can increase school attendance, enrolment, and reduce dropout rates.

“School feeding is a powerful investment in the future—nourishing children with healthy, locally-sourced meals while empowering smallholder farmers and strengthening communities,” said Marcus Prior, WFP’s acting Country Representative in Uganda. “By working with the Government of Uganda, we are creating sustainable solutions that drive better education, nutrition, and long-term food security for all.”

The new five-year contribution, a part of the “Karamoja Feeds Karamoja” initiative, is implemented through the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Karamoja Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Sports. Originally launched in 2014, the initiative focuses on purchasing locally grown foods for school feeding programmes.

“By purchasing food directly from farmer organizations in Karamoja, the government aims to stimulate smallholder production and boost the local economy,” said Hon. Dr. Peter Lokeris, Minister for Karamoja Affairs. “This groundbreaking initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to fostering sustainable development in Karamoja.”

Uganda is a member of the School Meals Coalition, a government-led initiative of over 100 nations, supported by over 140 partners and hosted by WFP as its Secretariat, working to scale and strengthen school meals programmes globally. In April 2024, the Government of Uganda announced its national commitments to school meals. This latest investment in Karamoja translates that commitment into action, leveraging national resources to support children’s health and education.

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

Follow us on X @WFP_Uganda @WFP_Africa

MIL OSI United Nations News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to systematic review of studies on impacts of global pesticide use on biodiversity

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

February 13, 2025

A systematic review published in Nature Communications looks at the impact of pesticide use on biodiversity.

Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:

“There is a lot to like in this study. While the authors have not undertaken any new experiments, they have synthesised data from the existing scientific literature to make new deductions about the unintended effects of pesticides. They look at many different species worldwide and it’s great to see that they used environmentally realistic pesticide concentrations in the calculations

“While the work has generated some useful insights, there are some points to keep in mind.

“The word pesticide is a catch-all term for any substance used to control a species humans don’t want to be in a particular space. There are several subgroups: Herbicides are used to control plants, insecticides are used to control insects, etc. Because pesticides are designed to control classes of organisms, the fact that non-target species within those classes may also be affected is not new. While the study highlights negative impacts on over 800 non-target species, data was only available for these. Other species may also be impacted, but we don’t have the data on how.

“There are also many, many pesticides in use, and some have much worse unintended effects than others. The types of pesticides and how they are used also differ between countries. Compounds used in one country are banned in others, making direct comparisons difficult.

“Also, as the authors themselves point out, pesticide use is essential to modern agriculture; we could not feed the world’s population without them.

“The above non-withstanding, the central tenet of this work—that if we are serious about reducing biodiversity loss, we need to be careful about how we use pesticides and look for alternative methods where possible—is very sensible. For example, the data from this work might be used to identify the compounds with the largest non-intended effects and remove them from common use in favour of those with the fewest non-intended effects.”

Prof Toby Bruce, Professor of Insect Ecology, Keele University, said:

“Increasing evidence of off-target effects of conventional pesticides means there is an urgent need to research and deliver alternative, better targeted approaches. Since the Green Revolution, farmers have been heavily reliant on pesticides for protecting their crops because many of the high yielding crop varieties we have today were developed as part of a package together with pesticides.”

Dr Antonis Myridakis, Lecturer in Environmental Sciences, from Brunel University of London.

“The study by Wan et al presents a comprehensive synthesis of the negative impacts of pesticides on a wide range of non-target organisms, incorporating data from over 1,700 studies and is methodologically sound. It is a quite extensive evaluation of pesticide effects on biodiversity. The findings reinforce existing concerns that pesticides have far-reaching consequences for non-target species, including plants, animals, fungi, and microbes, thereby contributing significantly to biodiversity loss.

“The main conclusions are that pesticide exposure leads to reduced growth, reproduction and behavioural changes in a broad spectrum of species. However, while the study provides compelling evidence of harm to over 800 species, it does not comprehensively address the potential impacts on the vast number of other species not included in the dataset. Therefore, there is the possibility that the true extent of pesticide harm is even greater than reported. Another limitation is the reliance on available published data, which may introduce publication bias since studies reporting significant negative effects are more likely to be published than those finding minimal or no effects.

“From a policy perspective, these findings highlight the need for stricter regulations on pesticide use and a broader implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. It also underscores the necessity for improved risk assessment methodologies that incorporate ecosystem-wide effects rather than focusing solely on a few model species.

“Overall, this study provides strong evidence that pesticides pose a significant and widespread threat to biodiversity. While it does not address every possible ecological consequence, its findings are a crucial step toward informing policymakers, farmers, and the public about the hidden costs of pesticide use.”

Prof Tom Oliver, Professor of Applied Ecology, and Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research (Environment), University of Reading:

“Understanding the effects of the pesticides on wild species is hugely important. In combination with habitat loss and extreme weather from climate change, these chemicals are thought to be an important factor behind the devastation of our native biodiversity. Importantly, this study has corrected for ‘field-realistic’ levels of exposure. Many industrial chemicals are toxic if poured directly over animals and plants, but the important question is whether the concentration with which pesticides are applied from crops sprayers is damaging. The study finds that a whole range of ‘non-target’ organisations, i.e. those that aren’t pests, but are valuable plants, insects and fungi, are being impacted by these pesticides. Pesticides may be fatal to our native wildlife or they can have sub-lethal effects, such as disrupting growth, reproduction and behaviour (for example, the ability of bees to navigate effectively). The proliferation of certain harm causing human-made chemicals, which escape, or are purposely introduced, into the natural environment is a ticking time-bomb for the health of our ecosystems. It is fortunate that the UK Government (in the recently published 2025 National Risk Register) have now recognised pollution and environmental degradation as a ‘chronic risk’ faced by the UK.”

‘Pesticides have negative effects on non-target organisms’ by Nian-Feng Wan et al. was published in Nature Communications at 10:00am UK time on Thursday 13 February 2025.

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56732-x

Declared interests

Dr Antonis Myridakis: Nothing to declare.

Prof. Tom Oliver: employed by the University of Reading and has received funding from NERC, Green Finance Institute and BBSRC to develop methodologies for assessing nature-related risks. He was previously seconded with the Government Office for Science to work with UK Cabinet Office on chronic and acute risks faced by the UK, and was seconded to Defra to help design their Systems Research Programme. He is lead educator on a Future Learn course “Using systems thinking to tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis” and is author of the book “The Self Delusion: The Surprising Science of Our Connection to Each Other and the Natural World” published by Weidenfeld & Nicholson. Oliver sits on the Food Standards Agency science council and is a member of the Office for Environmental Protection expert college.

Prof Oliver Jones: Although it was over 15 years ago, I have worked and published papers with Dr David J. Spurgeon, who is one of the authors of this paper. I also conduct research on environmental contaminants, including pesticides. I have received funding from the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/) and various water utilities for research on environmental pollution

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Question Time Response – Universal Service Obligation expansion

Source: Australian Ministers 1

Question – Federal Member for Mayo – Rebecca Sharkie MP

My Question is to the Minister for Communications. 90 per cent of Australians have a smart phone. Will the Government expand the Universal Service Obligation to the mobile phone network in the regions, and, if not, why not?

Answer – Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland MP

Thank you, Mr Speaker. And I thank the Member for her question and I appreciate the advocacy she has provided for her constituents in her constructive engagement with me on a variety of communications matters across a portfolio.

Universal Service Obligation; Telstra is designated as the universal service provider.

Basically, this is a requirement that has not changed under the current regime since it was put in place. It basically applies to landline services and a pretty basic data service. The intention of the National Broadband Network, when it was conceived by Labor, was to ensure not only that we had broadband capacity across Australia, but that we had a wholesale-only access network vertically integrated that would provide competition into the regions, and this is where it matters.

The Member is very right that there is a complete lack of flexibility when it comes to the Universal Service Obligation and that is why, in 2023, I announced that this Government would undertake a full consultation into how reform could be undertaken here, and how it could best benefit, in particular, those living in regional Australia.

And I also pay credit to the Member for Kennedy – he was been a staunch advocate for reform in this area. Clearly, that needs to be changed. This has been strongly endorsed by every stakeholder in the area, be it from the National Farmers’ Federation, to ACCAN, to the industry themselves. So it is encouraging.

This is an area of long-overdue reform and no reform happened under the previous government for a decade, but, despite that, we have not only undertaken that consultation but considered how it should be funded, and there is a variety of ways it could happen. Telstra has the contract as a universal service provider under those arrangements which happen when the NBN was conceived. They are due to expire – not in the immediate term – but in future years, not a long way away. So, we need to determine out what that is going to look like. The Government has been working diligently in this area and we will have more to say very soon.

But I will make three points: firstly, this is an area where reform was absolutely left lacking under the previous government. Secondly, this is an area where regional Australia has missed out because of that lack of reform. And, thirdly, that lack of reform flies in the face of the fact that Australians are early-adopters and want the best technology and connectivity.

What I can assure the Member is that Labor will be reforming that area, and I look forward to engaging with the Member.

MIL OSI News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Widespread egg rationing sweeps US stores

Source: China State Council Information Office 3

This photo taken with a mobile phone on Feb. 7, 2025 shows a price tag on a shelf for eggs at a local supermarket in El Monte, Los Angeles County, California, the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

More U.S. grocery chains are implementing egg purchase limits as bird flu outbreaks continue to disrupt supplies, with California shoppers particularly feeling the squeeze through restricted purchases and early morning queues.

At a Costco store in San Jose, California, the warehouse has been limiting purchases to three cartons per customer since Saturday, according to a store employee named Pauline. By late morning on Tuesday, only 15 cartons remained — all higher-priced organic brown and green eggs, with no white eggs available. The store has posted the sales limit sign at the entrance, effective Tuesday.

“You need to come early to make sure you can buy eggs,” Marcie Lopez, a customer at the store, told Xinhua, noting that eggs are getting more expensive and harder to buy this year.

“No eggs, no eggs, no eggs,” a clerk at another Costco store in Azusa, California, told the people waiting in line just after the location opened on Monday morning.

“It’s unbelievable, we came so early in the morning, but we still couldn’t buy eggs,” a customer, who gave her name as Luna, told Xinhua.

The rising prices and empty shelves are fueling consumer anxiety. Social media platforms like TikTok are flooded with videos of shoppers rushing to grab eggs, sometimes emptying freshly stocked shelves in minutes. One viral video from a Costco store showed eggs being snapped up in less than 10 minutes, with customers grabbing eggs by the hundreds.

Nationwide, retailers are scrambling to manage dwindling supplies. Trader Joe’s has implemented a one-dozen limit per customer per day across all of its over 600 U.S. locations.

“Due to ongoing issues with the supply of eggs, we kindly ask you to limit your purchase to 1 dozen of any kind,” wrote a Trader Joe’s store in Monrovia in a sign for customers shopping for eggs, noting that “we hope to have ample supply soon. Until then, we appreciate your understanding.”

Whole Foods has capped purchases at three cartons per shopper, while Kroger stores are limiting customers to two dozen eggs per trip.

Other major chains have followed suit. Sprouts has implemented a four-dozen limit per visit, Giant Eagle is asking customers to limit purchases to three cartons per transaction, and Market Basket stores in Massachusetts are restricting egg purchases to two cartons per family.

In California, a Safeway supermarket in Santa Clara has been limiting customers to two dozen per visit for the past month. An employee, who called himself John, explained to Xinhua that the store doesn’t receive daily egg deliveries, instead stocking twice daily — at 7 a.m. and noon — to spread out availability. Even with these measures, eggs typically sell out by late afternoon.

The restrictions come as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continues to impact egg-laying flocks nationwide. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Eggs Markets Overview report published on Friday, more than 150 million poultry birds have been killed in attempts to combat the H5N1 virus, causing egg prices to soar and supplies to dwindle.

The national trading price for graded, loose, white large shell eggs has risen to 7.34 U.S. dollars per dozen, while the California wholesale price for cage-free large shell eggs has reached 9.11 dollars per dozen. The report expects the supply situation to remain tight, with little chance for near-term improvement.

As a result, many grocers are limiting promotional activities and implementing purchase restrictions to stretch existing supplies.

“Due to recent market conditions, egg prices have increased. We apologize for any inconvenience,” wrote an Aldi store in Monrovia in a sign inside the shop, adding that “due to supply challenges, eggs are limit 2 per customer.”

Some retailers are maintaining high prices to dampen demand, and egg product manufacturers have increased their demand, leading to sharp price advances in the spot market.

USDA predicts egg prices will increase about 20 percent in 2025, far outpacing the projected 2.2 percent increase in overall food prices. The prices in December 2024 were already 36.8 percent higher than the previous year, according to USDA data.

Saloni Vastani, an associate professor of marketing at Emory University, told USA Today that the shortage is being exacerbated by consumer behavior.

“Egg prices are going up because of the avian flu, but that’s driving people to buy more eggs than they usually do because they’re anticipating higher prices and reduced grocery store supply,” Vastani explained.

The impact has extended to restaurants as well. Waffle House, which serves approximately 272 million eggs annually, recently implemented a 50-cent per egg surcharge across its roughly 2,100 U.S. locations.

MIL OSI China News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Joins Senator Moran, Hoeven on Moving Food for Peace to USDA

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined Senators Moran, Hoeven, and Representatives Mann, Crawford, Newhouse, and Rouzer, as well as House Agriculture Chairman Thompson in introducing legislation to move the Food for Peace program from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“Food for Peace was started in Kansas by farmers who wanted to feed people in need across the world. Now, over 70 years later, the mission continues. The USDA understands farmers and food distribution better than any other agency in town, and moving the jurisdiction of Food for Peace under the USDA ensures that American grain is going to the people who need it most,” said Senator Marshall. “As President Trump and congressional leadership continue to find ways to curb wasteful spending and promote our nations’ goods and commodities, this is a step in the right direction toward a brighter future for America, its farmers, and the original mission of Food for Peace.”
“The move of this program to USDA strengthens our ability to get food to those who need it most while supporting US sorghum farmers,” said Amy France, National Sorghum Producers Chairwoman. “NSP supports this shift, as it ensures the long-term success of Food for Peace and the efforts to deliver American-grown sorghum to food-insecure communities worldwide.”
“Kansas farmers take great pride in Food for Peace and the impact the program and American commodities have had on feeding the world,” said Chris Tanner, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers President. “Moving Food for Peace to USDA would continue to provide the needed relief for people in need.”
“Kansas-grown sorghum is a critical crop for food security in America and abroad,” said Adam York, CEO of Kansas Sorghum Producers Association. “Throughout changes in administrations, sorghum farmers have worked to have a seat at the table in international food programs housed across many agencies to ensure America’s farmers can contribute to our national security. We recommend policy makers continue prioritizing American agriculture as a solution to challenges in domestic and foreign policy.”
“Our nation’s millers take great pride in feeding those facing famine emergencies around the world,” said Kim Z Cooper, Vice President of Government Affairs for the North American Millers’ Association. “Our flagship emergency food aid program Food for Peace not only helps those abroad, but is a critical component of Buy American and America First policies.”
Senator Marshall has championed reforms to the Food for Peace program in the past, co-leading the America’s Farmers Feed the World Act, which sought to restore the Food for Peace program to its original intent by using U.S.-grown commodities to fight global hunger rather than spending American taxpayers’ dollars on foreign goods with limited oversight and accountability safeguards.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Green light for Lake Victoria Wind Farm

Source: New South Wales Premiere

Published: 13 February 2025

Released by: Minister for Lands and Property

The Minns Labor Government and wind farm developer WestWind Energy Pty Ltd have signed a lease agreement to help facilitate a wind farm with up to 201 turbines on Crown land in south-west NSW.

WestWind Energy is aiming to construct the wind farm over a 2-3 year period from 2029 to 2032, subject to planning approvals and community consultation.

The project has an estimated capital expenditure of $3.8 billion and will have an installed capacity of up to about 1,000 megawatts with an annual energy production of approximately 3,400 gigawatt-hours, capable of powering up to 700,000 homes.

The project will also include up to three battery energy storage systems with a total of 1500 megawatt hours storage to provide a more secure and consistent supply of electricity.

The proposed Lake Victoria Wind Farm, could support up to 375 jobs during construction and up to 70 ongoing jobs once completed to maintain the infrastructure and manage ongoing operations of the facility.

Crown Lands has negotiated the agreement for a special purpose lease which would provide WestWind Energy with an initial 25-year lease with two 7-year options to extend the lease a further 14 years.

The lease agreement allows WestWind Energy to progress planning for its proposed Lake Victoria Wind Farm, would be located about 30 kilometres north-west of Wentworth near the Victorian border.

The project is listed on the NSW Planning website to be assessed as a State Significant Development once a development application is lodged.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said:

“The Lake Victoria Wind Farm proposal has the potential to deliver major economic investment, well paid regional jobs and more green energy for NSW.

“The Lake Victoria Wind Farm is a significant clean energy initiative that can play a vital role in powering our economy for generations to come.

“The rental income will be reinvested into the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund to provide grants to maintain and improve Crown reserves across the state, such as regional showgrounds, war memorials and community sporting grounds.”

MIL OSI News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Schenectady Man Sentenced for Distributing Drugs in Exchange for Food Stamps

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Omar Alaidrus, age 24, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison following his guilty pleas to distributing controlled substances and food stamp fraud.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman; Special Agent in Charge Charmeka Parker of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Office of the Inspector General Northeast Region (USDA-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Buffalo Field Office; and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James.

Alaidrus admitted that on multiple occasions, he exchanged fentanyl for food stamps in the Schenectady deli his family owned and operated. Alaidrus also unlawfully provided cash in exchange for food stamps, and redeemed food stamps for other prohibited items such as Xanax, alcohol, and tobacco. Senior United States District Judge Lawrence E. Kahn also ordered Alaidrus to pay $316,975 in restitution to the U.S. Department of Agriculture – Food and Nutrition Service and imposed a 3-year-term of supervised release.

USDA-OIG, HSI, New York State Police, and the Schenectady Sheriff and Police investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Reiner prosecuted.

MIL Security OSI –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ banks should follow Macquarie’s lead, ditch the climate cabal

Source: ACT Party

ACT Rural Communities spokesperson Mark Cameron is renewing calls for Kiwi banks to leave the Net Zero Banking Alliance in the wake of the withdrawal of Australia’s Macquarie Group.

“First it was the big American banks, then Canada’s banks, and now Macquarie Group is the first of the big Australian banks to pull out of the alliance, with pressure mounting on other Aussie banks to do the same.

“The Net Zero Banking Alliance was set up to change lending practices for the sake of climate goals. But there’s been a political sea change and the appetite for woke banking has disappeared. If the banks think punishing farmers and miners is necessary to satisfy a political agenda, they’re mistaken, and it’s time that message got through.

“If there was previously a commercial advantage for banks to join the alliance, that advantage is fading fast as one bank after another gets out. The longer New Zealand’s banks and their parent companies remain in the UN’s cabal of banking wokery, the more out of touch they look.

“As part of the inquiry into banking practices I’m leading alongside Cameron Brewer, we’ve called the four biggest banks back to answer more questions. The inquiry has unearthed deep concerns, especially from rural communities, over the debanking of legitimate sectors and a perceived unequal playing field between town and country.

“I will be asking what is driving banks to act in this way. It would be concerning if the actions of the government through international agreements or through the way we regulate at home is encouraging banks to move beyond commercial incentives and punish rural communities.

“ACT continues to question the role of regulation in anti-farmer, anti-miner banking practices. The Financial Markets Authority imposes emissions reporting requirements on banks. We warned in 2021 that these rules would impact loans on farmers, and we still have that concern.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Civicus Monitor criticises PNG use of cybercrime law to curb free speech

Pacific Media Watch

Papua New Guinea’s civic space has been rated as “obstructed” by the Civicus Monitor and the country has been criticised for pushing forward with a controversial media law in spite of strong opposition.

Among concerns previously documented by the civil rights watchdog are harassment and threats against human rights defenders, particularly those working on land and environmental rights, use of the cybercrime law to criminalise online expression, intimidation and restrictions against journalists, and excessive force during protests.

In recent months, the authorities have used the cybercrime law to target a human rights defender for raising questions online on forest enforcement, while a journalist and gender-based violence survivor is also facing charges under the law, said the Civicus Monitor in its latest report.

The court halted a logging company’s lawsuit against a civil society group while the government is pushing forward with the controversial National Media Development law.

Human rights defender charged under cybercrime law
On 9 December 2024, human rights defender and ACT NOW! campaign manager Eddie Tanago was arrested and charged by police under section 21(2) of the Cybercrime Act 2016 for allegedly publishing defamatory remarks on social media about the managing director of the PNG Forest Authority.

Tanago was taken to the Boroko Police Station Holding cell and released on bail the same afternoon. If convicted he could face a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.

ACT NOW is a prominent human rights organisation seeking to halt illegal logging and related human rights violations in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

According to reports, ACT NOW had reshared a Facebook post from a radio station advertising an interview with PNG Forest Authority (PNGFA) staff members, which included a photo of the managing director.

The repost included a comment raising questions about PNGFA forest enforcement.

Following Tanago’s arrest, ACT NOW said: “it believes that the arrest and charging of Tanago is a massive overreach and is a blatant and unwarranted attempt to intimidate and silence public debate on a critical issue of national and international importance.”

It added that “there was nothing defamatory in the social media post it shared and there is nothing remotely criminal in republishing a poster which includes the image of a public figure which can be found all over the internet.”

On 24 January 2025, when Tanago appeared at the Waigani Committal Court, he was instead charged under section 15, subparagraph (b) of the Cybercrime Act for “identity theft”. The next hearing has been scheduled for February 25.

The 2016 Cybercrime Act has been used to silence criticism and creates a chilling effect, said Civicus Monitor.

The law has been criticised by the opposition, journalists and activists for its impact on freedom of expression and political discourse.

JOURNO ARRAIGNED ON CYBER HARASSMENT
Journalist Hennah Joku appeared before Magistrate Paul Nii at the Waigani Committal Court on charges of cyber defamation following a Facebook post made on 4th September 2024.
Read more:https://t.co/LEIDEcTZv6 #EMTVNews #EMTVOnline pic.twitter.com/zHqm353Cst

— EMTV (@EMTVOnline) December 5, 2024

Journalist and gender activist charged with defamation
Journalist and gender activist Hennah Joku was detained and charged under the Cybercrime Act on 23 November 2024, following defamation complaints filed by her former partner Robert Agen.

Joku was charged with two counts of breaching the Cybercrimes Act 2016 and detained in Boroko Prison. She was freed on the same day after bail was posted.

Joku, a survivor of a 2018 assault by Agen, had documented and shared her six-year journey through the PNG justice system, which had resulted in his conviction and jailing in 2023.

On 2 September 2024, the PNG Supreme Court overturned two of three criminal convictions, and Agen was released from prison.

On 4 and 15 September 2024, Joku shared her reactions with more than 9000 followers on her Meta social media account. Those two posts, one of which featured the injuries suffered from her 2018 assault, now form the basis for the current defamation charges against her.

Section 21(2) of the Cybercrimes Act 2016, which has an electronic defamation clause, carries a maximum penalty of up to 25 years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to one million kina (NZ$442,000).

The Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) expressed “grave concerns” over the charges, saying: “We encourage the government and judiciary to review the use of defamation legislation to silence and gag the universal right to freedom of speech.

“Citizens must be informed. They must be protected.”

Court stays logging company lawsuit against civil society group
In January 2025, an injunction issued against community advocacy group ACT NOW! to prevent publication of reports on illegal logging has been stayed by the National Court.

In July 2024, two Malaysian owned logging companies obtained an order from the District Court in Vanimo preventing ACT NOW! from issuing publications about their activities and from contacting their clients and service providers.

That order has now been effectively lifted after the National Court agreed to stay the whole District court proceedings while it considers an application from ACT NOW! to have the case permanently stayed and transferred to the National Court.

ACT NOW! said the action by Global Elite Limited and Wewak Agriculture Development Limited, which are part of the Giant Kingdom group, is an example of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP).

“SLAPPs are illegitimate and abusive lawsuits designed to intimidate, harass and silence legitimate criticism and close down public scrutiny of the logging industry,” said Civicus Monitor.

SLAPP lawsuits have been outlawed in many countries and lawyers involved in supporting them can be sanctioned, but those protections do not yet exist in PNG.

The District Court action is not the first time the Malaysian-owned Giant Kingdom group has tried to use the legal system in an attempt to silence ACT NOW!

In March 2024, the court rejected a similar SLAPP style application by the Global Elite for an injunction against ACT NOW! As a result, the company discontinued its legal action and the court ordered it to pay ACT NOW!’s legal costs.

Government pushes forward with controversial media legislation
The government is reportedly ready to pass legislation to regulate its media, which journalism advocates have said could have serious implications for democracy and freedom of speech in the country.

National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) of PNG reported in January 2025 that the policy has received the “green light” from cabinet to be presented in Parliament.

The state broadcaster reported that Communications Minister Timothy Masiu said: “This policy will address the ongoing concerns about sensationalism, ethical standards, and the portrayal of violence in the media.”

In July 2024, it was reported that the proposed media policy was now in its fifth draft but it is unclear if this version has been updated.

As previously documented, journalists have raised concerns that the media development policy could lead to more government control over the country’s relatively free media.

The bill includes sections that give the government the “power to investigate complaints against media outlets, issue guidelines for ethical reporting, and enforce sanctions or penalties for violations of professional standards”.

There are also concerns that the law will punish journalists who create content that is against the country’s development objectives.

Organisations such as Transparency International PNG, Media Council of PNG, Pacific Freedom Forum, and Pacific Media Watch/Asia Pacific Media Network among others, have asked for the policy to be dropped.

The press freedom ranking for PNG dropped from 59th place to 91st in the most recent index published by Reporters without Borders (RSF) in May 2024.

Civicus Monitor.

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville in Yellowhammer: President Trump’s tariffs are Making America Great Again

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

“President Trump is keeping his promises to strengthen and revitalize our nation’s economy”

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) penned an op-ed in Yellowhammer praising President Donald Trump’s recent implementation of reciprocal tariffs to ensure fairness and bolster our national security.

Read excerpts from the piece below or here.

“The media is in full meltdown mode after President Trump imposed duties and retaliatory tariffs this week on countries who have been ripping us off for decades. Apparently, globalists and Democrats are just fine with other countries imposing tariffs on U.S. exports. But, when it comes to President Trump trying to establish a level playing field for domestic producers, well, that’s a bridge too far.

No one should be remotely surprised by President Trump’s actions. He campaigned on this platform three times and has been crystal clear on his intentions – now he is following through on his promises. He views tariffs both as a negotiating tool to get other countries to bend to his will and as a way to boost American manufacturing and put America First.

President Trump has his work cut out for him after the disastrous past four years under President Biden. The Biden administration made it clear to our friends and foes alike that the globalist agenda would take precedent over the safety and wellbeing of the American people.

Thankfully, those days are over. The American people gave President Donald J. Trump a clear mandate to restore our country’s superpower status and put America First. That starts with securing our borders. That’s why President Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada last week unless they start working with the U.S. to secure our borders and stop the flow of fentanyl into our nation.

Over the past four years, the Mexican government turned a blind eye while caravans of illegal aliens flowed through Mexico into the United States. Thousands of women and children were trafficked and raped along the way. Drug cartels were uninhibited from smuggling illicit drugs across the border. That is, until President Trump re-entered the White House on January 20.

President Trump correctly understands that Mexico’s economy is heavily dependent on its trade relationship with the U.S. In fact, more than 80 percent of Mexico’s exports come to the United States. Mexico’s economy would almost instantly feel the effects of a 25 percent tariff, leaving Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum no choice but to come to the negotiating table with master dealmaker Donald Trump. As a result, within hours of President Trump’s announcement, Mexico caved by agreeing to start helping the United States secure the border and crack down on the cartel issue.

Our neighbor to the North also caved to President Trump after a 25 percent tariff was threatened on Canadian imports. Not only are illicit drugs like fentanyl coming into our country from Mexico, but there has also been a 2,050 percent increase from FY 2023 in drugs coming across our Northern Border. In the last fiscal year alone, enough fentanyl was seized at our Northern Border to kill 9.8 million Americans. This is a serious problem.

Thanks to President Trump, our North American neighbors to the North and South are making changes that will protect American citizens from deadly drugs, criminals, and human traffickers.

In addition to using tariffs as a negotiating tool, President Trump also views tariffs as a way to right the wrongs of past, ineffective trade deals. That’s why this week he is imposing a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum. Contrary to what the media would tell you, this isn’t unprecedented. […]

The tariffs being imposed this week are an important step in President Trump’s plan to restore fairness to trade, boost domestic manufacturing and put American consumers and producers first. America has some of the best and brightest manufacturers, producers, farmers, and businesses. We shouldn’t be going to other countries for products we can make right here at home.

Three weeks into his presidency, President Trump is keeping his promises to strengthen and revitalize our nation’s economy, stem the flow of illicit drugs and illegal immigration, and make sure our trade deals are fair for taxpayers and the American worker. President Trump is utilizing every tool at his disposal, including tariffs, to usher in the Golden Age of America.”

MORE:
Tuberville Speaks On Importance Of Boosting U.S. Economy To Help Struggling Seniors
Tuberville Praises President Trump For Making Tariffs Great Again
ICYMI: Tuberville Joins “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business
Tuberville Calls for Increase in Agricultural Exports
Tuberville Introduces Bill to End Reliance on Russia, Boost Alabama Businesses and Workers
Tuberville Cosponsors Legislation to Protect American Manufacturing
Tuberville Continues Advocating for Alabama’s Ag Interests in Farm Bill Hearing

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Daines Fight for Outdoorsmen Across the Country

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) in cosponsoring a bill to prohibit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) from banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle on public lands unless such action is supported by the best available science—the Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act.
Sen. Tuberville cosponsored this legislation last Congress.
“From Sand Mountain to the Gulf of America, Alabamians devote a large portion of their free time to hunting in the great outdoors,” said Sen. Tuberville. “Placing a ban on lead ammo and tackle is unfair to those who choose to enjoy nature and wildlife. As an avid outdoorsman, I will keep fighting to ensure the rights of Alabama hunters and anglers are protected.”
“The great outdoors is a staple of our Montana way of life. Montana hunters and anglers play an important role in wildlife management, and a ban on lead ammo and tackle would be unfair to our sportsmen. I’ll keep fighting with my colleagues to make sure decisions impacting outdoor recreation are guided by commonsense science, not anti-hunting groups,” said Sen. Daines.
U.S. Senators Tuberville and Daines are joined by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), James Lankford (R-OK), Mike Lee (R-UT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jim Risch (R-IN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Rick Scott (R-FL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Thune (R-SD), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) in cosponsoring the legislation.
Read full text of the legislation here.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press release: Government unveils plans for next generation of new towns
Source: United Kingdom – Prime Minister’s Office 10 Downing Street

Hundreds of thousands of working people and families will reap the rewards new towns across Britain, as the Prime Minister paves the way for the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era.
Over 100 sites across England have come forward to be considered for next generation of new towns

Government on track to create beautiful communities, provide affordable homes, and deliver much needed infrastructure, including schools and nurseries, GP surgeries, and bus routes

By taking on the blockers, 20,000 homes, along with new schools and health facilities, will move forward following government action, and we will now turn to unblock the remaining 700,000 homes across 350 sites

Comes as government rolls out major planning reforms to sweep away the blockers and push through its housebuilding agenda as part of the Plan for Change

Hundreds of thousands of working people and families will reap the rewards new towns across Britain, as the Prime Minister paves the way for the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era.

Visiting a housing development today, the Prime Minister will unveil the government’s plans for the next generation of new towns – well-designed, beautiful communities with affordable housing, GP surgeries, schools and public transport where people will want to live.

Over 100 proposals from across every region in England were submitted, showing local areas and housebuilders’ ambition to get on board to build the next generation of new towns – playing their part in getting Britain building and tackling the worst housing crisis in living memory. Every new town will have the potential to deliver 10,000 homes or more.

Delivering security is central to this government’s Plan for Change, because the least working people deserve when they graft hard is a secure home. That’s why the government is providing much-needed housing in the right places with the right infrastructure, and the New Towns Taskforce has today set clear principles on what the next generation of new towns will deliver: affordable housing, vital infrastructure and access to open green spaces and nature, to transform the lives of working people.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

For so many families, homeownership is a distant dream. After a decade of decline in housebuilding, the impact is a disconnect between working hard and getting on.

This is about more than just bricks and mortar. It’s about the security and stability that owning your own home brings. I know what this means for working people – the roof above our head was everything for our family growing up.

We’ve already made progress in just seven months, unblocking 20,000 stuck homes. But there’s more to do.

We’re urgently using all levers available to build the homes we need so more families can get on the housing ladder. We’re sweeping aside the blockers to get houses built, no longer accepting no as the default answer, and paving the way for the next generation of new towns.

As part of the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era, our ambitious Plan for Change will transform the lives of working people, once again connecting the basic principle that if you work hard, you should get on.

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said:

Time and again we are seeing too many new homes stuck or stalled that not only act as a barrier to growth but also has real-world consequences for working people and families who see homeownership as nothing more than a distant dream.

I will not run away from the tough choices to fix the housing crisis we inherited that has left thousands of families on housing waiting lists, allowed homelessness to spiral out of control, and stopped an entire generation from picking up the keys to their first home.

While our vision for the next generation of new towns is setting the stage for a housebuilding revolution in the years to come, urgent action is needed now to build the homes and infrastructure that our local communities are crying out for. That’s why our New Homes Accelerator is working at pace to find solutions and remove blockages in the system, executing long-lasting solutions to get spades in the ground.

Today we are embarking on the next chapter in our Plan for Change to build 1.5 million new homes, deliver the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation, and raise living standards for working people and families across the country.

For far too long, working people have been let down by a decline in housebuilding. That’s why the government is rolling up its sleeves and is taking on the blockers with major reforms to planning regulation to get Britain building.

That work is already underway, with a staggering 20,000 new homes now successfully unblocked by the government’s novel ‘New Homes Accelerator’ programme, which deploys planning expertise to speed up the delivery of housing sites held by unnecessary delays.

Areas that have already benefitted from direct government action include:

Over 1,000 homes unlocked at Cowley Hill in Liverpool, where an agreement has been reached with the Environment Agency who withdrew its previous objections on both flood risk and biodiversity grounds, subject to planning.

And at Wolborough in Devon, the Accelerator has worked with Natural England to help accelerate this development, whilst ensuring environmental improvements are secured. On top of the 1,100 homes the site is injecting £1.75 million towards off-site pedestrian and cycle improvements, playing pitches, bus services and a local travel plan.

Housebuilders and local councils have put forward over 350 housing development sites stuck in the system under the previous government – that together could unlock around 700,000 new homes.

Around a quarter of sites submitted are already receiving government attention since the call for evidence closed in October – demonstrating success of the programme, and local ambition to support the government’s 1.5 million homes target.

This goes hand-in-hand with government action to overhaul the planning system, supporting the builders and not the blockers, taking the brakes off economic growth, raising living standards, and making the tough decisions to deliver for working people and families.

This includes:

Publishing a new growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework, which introduced new mandatory for councils to deliver the right homes in the right places, with a combined total of 370,000 homes a year.

Introducing the Planning and Infrastructure Bill next month. The Bill will overhaul environmental regulations to no longer accept the failed status quo where bats are more important than trains or newts more important than homes, and remove blockers to fast-track delivery of the homes and infrastructure that local communities need.

To get Britain building now – the government today announces plans to fast stream planning through brokering disagreements between the agencies and expert bodies, which by law must be consulted within the planning process. Bodies including National Highways, Natural England and the Environment Agency will need to bring planners and housebuilders to the table and iron out concerns that have been holding back development.

Responding to sector concerns on pinch points, work stepping up with the Building Safety Regulator to ensure greater timeliness and efficiency when new tall buildings are signed off – to provide more homes for more people.

This work will be bolstered by extra government funding announced today, including:

£1 million for government agencies, including National Highways, Natural England and the Environment Agency, to speed up the planning approval of new homes and improve feedback to local authorities and industry where required.

£2 million to support the Building Safety Regulator to continue improving the processing for new-build applications.

Over £3 million of grants for local councils to bolster planning capacity, alongside direct advice and navigate through some of the more complex issues holding up new development.

Alongside the Accelerator, the government is also supporting local partners through a clearing service to help accelerate the sale of uncontracted and unsold affordable homes, with nearly 300 housebuilders, local councils and registered providers signing up in the first 50 days of its launch.

In December, the government set a clear hierarchy of brownfield first, grey belt second and green belt third. Today, further funding is being injected to drive regeneration and brownfield deliver in the following areas:

£20 million to help transform neglected small-scale council-owned sites into new homes, for areas most in need.

Nearly £30 million from the Brownfield Infrastructure and Land Fund in Bradford to transform derelict brownfield sites into a vibrant residential area with 1,000 new homes, three community parks, shops, cafés, restaurants, and offices.

£1.5 million to support a regeneration programme at Manchester Victoria North, delivering a new district of 15,000 homes with transport links and green spaces.

Getting homes built for working people is a priority and is backed by investment in housing which is increasing to £5 billion for this year, including a top-up of £800 million being injected into the existing Affordable Homes Programme to help deliver tens of thousands of new affordable and social homes across the country.

This is in addition to an extra £100 million of cash to bolster local resources with increased planning fees to cover costs and funding to recruit 300 planning officers, making sure councils have the capacity they need to rubberstamp new homes and infrastructure.

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Published 13 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Ernst Work to Protect Farm Families’ Access to Higher Education

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer, joined Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in introducing bipartisan legislation to protect farm families’ access to higher education. The Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act would amend the FAFSA Simplification Act to restore the original exemption of non-liquid, farm and small business assets when determining a family’s FAFSA eligibility.
“Farm assets can’t be cashed out in the same way traditional investments can,” Grassley said. “Last Congress, I worked with the Department of Education to ensure the FAFSA asset test is only applied to investment farms, not family farms. Our bipartisan legislation would codify this guidance to ensure farm kids and other small business operators get a fair shake when applying for need-based financial aid.”
“No one should have to sell off the farm – or their small business – to afford college. As a farm kid myself, I know the enormous impacts grants and financial aid have on rural students’ decision to go to college,” Ernst said. “I’m fighting for Iowa families, so unfair policies don’t hold them back from investing in their child’s education.”
Additional cosponsors include Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
Download audio of Grassley discussing the bill HERE.
Find bill text HERE.
Background:
Under the original FAFSA contribution formula, the expected family contribution didn’t factor in the non-liquid assets of family farms and small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. However, the 2020 FAFSA Simplification Act, which went into effect last year, created a new formula that didn’t explicitly exempt family farms and small businesses from declaration.
The value of a farm family’s assets – including land, buildings, livestock, unharvested crops and machinery – could total millions of dollars, but the family’s annual salary is significantly less. Per Iowa College Aid, if the value of family farms is included in the FAFSA asset test, a family making $60,000 a year could face over $41,000 in annual college tuition costs, compared to $7,600 previously.
Grassley has voiced strong concerns about the new FAFSA contribution formula’s impact on Iowa families. An overview of Grassley’s FAFSA-related efforts follows:
-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Moran, Hoeven & Rep. Mann Introduce Legislation to Move Food for Peace Program to USDA

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) – members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry – joined Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Rick Crawford (AR-01), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), David Rouzer (NC-07) and House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson (PA-15), in introducing legislation to move the administration of the Food for Peace Program from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

For the past 70 years, American farmers have helped combat international hunger through Food for Peace, feeding more than 4 billion people in more than 150 countries.

“Kansas has a long history of providing food to the hungry beginning with a Kansas farmer suggesting the U.S. provide surplus grain to countries in need, to President Eisenhower establishing the resulting humanitarian aid program, to Senator Bob Dole expanding Food for Peace, to the farmers who grow the crops that feed the world,” said Sen. Moran. “As part of an ongoing effort to save money and increase efficiency, Food for Peace should be moved to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. By moving this program closer to the producers who grow these crops, we can help reduce waste and make certain our farmers have access to this valuable market. Food stability is essential to political stability, and our food aid programs help feed the hungry, bolster our national security and provide important markets for our farmers.”

“Our nation’s farmers and ranchers are the best in the world and work hard to provide food and fuel not only for our nation, but those in need across the globe,” said Sen. Hoeven. “The U.S. Department of Agriculture already administer U.S. farmer-based food aid programs and it only makes sense that USDA would oversee the Food for Peace program, as well.”

“President Trump made a promise to the country to cut wasteful spending, reduce overbearing federal bureaucracy, and to ensure every taxpayer dollar was spent wisely and responsibly,” said Rep. Mann. “I applaud President Trump for upholding that promise and reviewing our federal spending line by line to root out waste, fraud, and abuse while ensuring programs like Food for Peace are in line with his mission and vision. For 70 years, Kansas and American farmers have played an active role in sending their commodities to feed malnourished and starving populations around the world. This free gift from the American people is more than food. It’s diplomacy and feeds the most vulnerable communities while helping them recognize the freedom, prosperity, and good America can establish across the globe. By moving Food for Peace to USDA, the program can continue to equip American producers to serve hungry people while providing more transparency and efficiency as to how taxpayer dollars are stewarded. I will continue to work with the Trump Administration to uproot wasteful spending while ensuring America can continue to be the beacon of hope and freedom we are to the rest of the world.”

“Food for Peace is a critical program for American farmers and has a proven track-record of successfully feeding people all over the world,” said Rep. Crawford. “I am encouraged by the Trump Administration taking a fresh look at how we provide foreign assistance, including Food for Peace. I believe a move from USAID to USDA would make program administration more efficient and more in-line with America’s priorities. USDA already runs two international food assistance programs that deal with in-kind food donations, Food for Progress and the McGovern-Dole Food for Education program. This makes USDA a natural home for Food for Peace.”

“The Food for Peace program plays a critical role in helping prevent starvation in places around the world that need it most, while also providing American farmers additional market opportunities,” said Rep. Newhouse. “Moving this program from USAID to USDA allows a commodity-focused agency to manage and execute the program’s mission while ensuring accountability that funds will be spent responsibly. America must continue to be a global leader in the fight against hunger.”

Last week, Sen. Moran urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to quickly ship and distribute the American-grown food that was stalled in ports and warehouses in the U.S. and around the world as a result of the State Department’s pause on international assistance. Nearly $560 million worth of American-grown food was at risk of spoiling. On February 8, the State Department provided notices to participating aid organizations to resume shipping and distribution of the stalled American-grown food aid.

Statements of Support:

“Kansas farmers take great pride in Food for Peace and the impact the program and American commodities have had on feeding the world,” said Chris Tanner, president of Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. “Moving Food for Peace to USDA would continue to provide the needed relief for people in need. Thank you to Senator Moran and Congressman Mann for leading the way on this issue.”

“Kansas-grown sorghum is a critical crop for food security in America and abroad,” said Adam York, CEO of Kansas Sorghum Producers Association. “Throughout changes in administrations, sorghum farmers have worked to have a seat at the table in international food programs housed across many agencies to ensure America’s farmers can contribute to our national security. We recommend policy makers continue prioritizing American agriculture as a solution to challenges in domestic and foreign policy.”

“National Sorghum Producers supports this legislation that would move U.S. food aid programs under the U.S. Department of Agriculture—a move that makes sense and would ensure the long-term viability and success of these programs by continuing to provide a critical market for American sorghum farmers and the ability to move grain from our fields to the hands of those in need around the world,” said Amy France, chairwoman of National Sorghum Producers.

“U.S. soybeans play an important role in addressing global hunger,” said Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association. “Soybeans are the only plant-based protein that provides all nine amino acids essential for human health, and our farmers have been proud to support international food assistance programs. ASA strongly supports efforts to protect these programs and to ensure U.S. grown commodities continue to feed vulnerable populations around the globe. We thank Representative Mann and Senator Moran for their leadership on this important issue.”

“Our nation’s millers take great pride in feeding those facing famine emergencies around the world,” said Kim Z Cooper, Vice President of Government Affairs for the North American Millers’ Association. “Our flagship emergency food aid program Food for Peace not only helps those abroad, but is a critical component of Buy American and America First policies. We applaud Representatives Mann (R-KS), Thompson (R-PA), Crawford (R-AR), Newhouse (R-WA), Rouzer (R-NC), and Senators Moran and Hoeven for introducing legislation that would allow Food for Peace to operate under USDA, and reinstate this critical, life-saving program.”

This legislation is also supported by the U.S. Dry Bean Council, National Sorghum Producers, U.S. Wheat Associates, National Association of Wheat Growers, The Midwest Dry Bean Coalition, North Central Bean Dealers Association, Northarvest Bean Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, USA Rice, U.S. Peanut Federation, American Farm Bureau Federation and the International Dairy Foods Association.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government unveils plans for next generation of new towns
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Hundreds of thousands of working people and families will reap the rewards new towns across Britain, as the Prime Minister paves the way for the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era.
Over 100 sites across England have come forward to be considered for next generation of new towns

Government on track to create beautiful communities, provide affordable homes, and deliver much needed infrastructure, including schools and nurseries, GP surgeries, and bus routes

By taking on the blockers, 20,000 homes, along with new schools and health facilities, will move forward following government action, and we will now turn to unblock the remaining 700,000 homes across 350 sites

Comes as government rolls out major planning reforms to sweep away the blockers and push through its housebuilding agenda as part of the Plan for Change

Hundreds of thousands of working people and families will reap the rewards new towns across Britain, as the Prime Minister paves the way for the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era.

Visiting a housing development today, the Prime Minister will unveil the government’s plans for the next generation of new towns – well-designed, beautiful communities with affordable housing, GP surgeries, schools and public transport where people will want to live.

Over 100 proposals from across every region in England were submitted, showing local areas and housebuilders’ ambition to get on board to build the next generation of new towns – playing their part in getting Britain building and tackling the worst housing crisis in living memory. Every new town will have the potential to deliver 10,000 homes or more.

Delivering security is central to this government’s Plan for Change, because the least working people deserve when they graft hard is a secure home. That’s why the government is providing much-needed housing in the right places with the right infrastructure, and the New Towns Taskforce has today set clear principles on what the next generation of new towns will deliver: affordable housing, vital infrastructure and access to open green spaces and nature, to transform the lives of working people.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

For so many families, homeownership is a distant dream. After a decade of decline in housebuilding, the impact is a disconnect between working hard and getting on.

This is about more than just bricks and mortar. It’s about the security and stability that owning your own home brings. I know what this means for working people – the roof above our head was everything for our family growing up.

We’ve already made progress in just seven months, unblocking 20,000 stuck homes. But there’s more to do.

We’re urgently using all levers available to build the homes we need so more families can get on the housing ladder. We’re sweeping aside the blockers to get houses built, no longer accepting no as the default answer, and paving the way for the next generation of new towns.

As part of the largest housebuilding programme since the post-war era, our ambitious Plan for Change will transform the lives of working people, once again connecting the basic principle that if you work hard, you should get on.

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said:

Time and again we are seeing too many new homes stuck or stalled that not only act as a barrier to growth but also has real-world consequences for working people and families who see homeownership as nothing more than a distant dream.

I will not run away from the tough choices to fix the housing crisis we inherited that has left thousands of families on housing waiting lists, allowed homelessness to spiral out of control, and stopped an entire generation from picking up the keys to their first home.

While our vision for the next generation of new towns is setting the stage for a housebuilding revolution in the years to come, urgent action is needed now to build the homes and infrastructure that our local communities are crying out for. That’s why our New Homes Accelerator is working at pace to find solutions and remove blockages in the system, executing long-lasting solutions to get spades in the ground.

Today we are embarking on the next chapter in our Plan for Change to build 1.5 million new homes, deliver the biggest boost in social and affordable housing in a generation, and raise living standards for working people and families across the country.

For far too long, working people have been let down by a decline in housebuilding. That’s why the government is rolling up its sleeves and is taking on the blockers with major reforms to planning regulation to get Britain building.

That work is already underway, with a staggering 20,000 new homes now successfully unblocked by the government’s novel ‘New Homes Accelerator’ programme, which deploys planning expertise to speed up the delivery of housing sites held by unnecessary delays.

Areas that have already benefitted from direct government action include:

Over 1,000 homes unlocked at Cowley Hill in Liverpool, where an agreement has been reached with the Environment Agency who withdrew its previous objections on both flood risk and biodiversity grounds, subject to planning.

And at Wolborough in Devon, the Accelerator has worked with Natural England to help accelerate this development, whilst ensuring environmental improvements are secured. On top of the 1,100 homes the site is injecting £1.75 million towards off-site pedestrian and cycle improvements, playing pitches, bus services and a local travel plan.

Housebuilders and local councils have put forward over 350 housing development sites stuck in the system under the previous government – that together could unlock around 700,000 new homes.

Around a quarter of sites submitted are already receiving government attention since the call for evidence closed in October – demonstrating success of the programme, and local ambition to support the government’s 1.5 million homes target.

This goes hand-in-hand with government action to overhaul the planning system, supporting the builders and not the blockers, taking the brakes off economic growth, raising living standards, and making the tough decisions to deliver for working people and families.

This includes:

Publishing a new growth-focused National Planning Policy Framework, which introduced new mandatory for councils to deliver the right homes in the right places, with a combined total of 370,000 homes a year.

Introducing the Planning and Infrastructure Bill next month. The Bill will overhaul environmental regulations to no longer accept the failed status quo where bats are more important than trains or newts more important than homes, and remove blockers to fast-track delivery of the homes and infrastructure that local communities need.

To get Britain building now – the government today announces plans to fast stream planning through brokering disagreements between the agencies and expert bodies, which by law must be consulted within the planning process. Bodies including National Highways, Natural England and the Environment Agency will need to bring planners and housebuilders to the table and iron out concerns that have been holding back development.

Responding to sector concerns on pinch points, work stepping up with the Building Safety Regulator to ensure greater timeliness and efficiency when new tall buildings are signed off – to provide more homes for more people.

This work will be bolstered by extra government funding announced today, including:

£1 million for government agencies, including National Highways, Natural England and the Environment Agency, to speed up the planning approval of new homes and improve feedback to local authorities and industry where required.

£2 million to support the Building Safety Regulator to continue improving the processing for new-build applications.

Over £3 million of grants for local councils to bolster planning capacity, alongside direct advice and navigate through some of the more complex issues holding up new development.

Alongside the Accelerator, the government is also supporting local partners through a clearing service to help accelerate the sale of uncontracted and unsold affordable homes, with nearly 300 housebuilders, local councils and registered providers signing up in the first 50 days of its launch.

In December, the government set a clear hierarchy of brownfield first, grey belt second and green belt third. Today, further funding is being injected to drive regeneration and brownfield deliver in the following areas:

£20 million to help transform neglected small-scale council-owned sites into new homes, for areas most in need.

Nearly £30 million from the Brownfield Infrastructure and Land Fund in Bradford to transform derelict brownfield sites into a vibrant residential area with 1,000 new homes, three community parks, shops, cafés, restaurants, and offices.

£1.5 million to support a regeneration programme at Manchester Victoria North, delivering a new district of 15,000 homes with transport links and green spaces.

Getting homes built for working people is a priority and is backed by investment in housing which is increasing to £5 billion for this year, including a top-up of £800 million being injected into the existing Affordable Homes Programme to help deliver tens of thousands of new affordable and social homes across the country.

This is in addition to an extra £100 million of cash to bolster local resources with increased planning fees to cover costs and funding to recruit 300 planning officers, making sure councils have the capacity they need to rubberstamp new homes and infrastructure.

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Published 13 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: United nations Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai: 35 UN entities, 15 Secretariat Departments, Offices to Gather under Theme “United for a Better Future”
Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

Two months from today, the United Nations will welcome visitors to a dedicated pavilion in the Empowering Zone of Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan under the theme “United for a Better Future”. The United Nations Pavilion is proud to host exhibits and programming that represent the work of 35 UN entities and 15 UN Secretariat departments and offices.

The United Nations pavilion will feature highlights of eight decades of impact, current efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to address global challenges and humanitarian crises, as well as a vision of a sustainable future that is possible only through collective action and multilateral collaboration. The UN Pavilion will also host special weekly exhibits and events aligned with the Expo’s theme weeks, United Nations international days and other priorities to promote sustainable development, human rights, climate action and peace and security. Visitors can also purchase UN and SDG-related merchandise at the giftshop located inside the pavilion.

Confirmed participating UN entities include:
- United Nations Secretariat
  - Department of Global Communications
  - Department of Economic and Social Affairs
  - Department of Peace Operations
  - Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
  - Development Coordination Office
  - Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
  - Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
  - United Nations Global Compact Office
  - United Nations Mine Action Service
  - United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
  - United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
  - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
  - United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
  - United Nations Road Safety Fund / Special Envoy for Road Safety
  - United Nations Youth Office
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
- International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
- International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- International Maritime Organization (IMO)
- International Organization for Migration (IOM)
- International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
- International Trade Centre (ITC)
- Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
- Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
- Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific)
- United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)
- United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
- United Nations Development Programme
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women)
- United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
- United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
- United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
- United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
- United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
- United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
- United Nations University (UNU)
- United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV)
- United Nations Water*
- Universal Postal Union (UPU)
- World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism)
- World Food Programme (WFP)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
The UN Pavilion will also host prominent guest speakers, including senior UN officials, leading experts, celebrities and advocates, who will share their insights and experiences on global challenges and solutions.

“In the year that the United Nations will turn 80 years old, the UN Pavilion presents key milestones since 1945 that have reshaped values and the world as we know it. We will also showcase examples of the UN in our daily lives and a vision of a world in which everyone thrives in peace, dignity and equality on a healthy planet,” said Maher Nasser, Commissioner-General of the United Nations at Expo 2025. “It is our hope that our pavilion will serve as a dynamic platform for learning, collaboration and inspiration for action.”

The video interview of Mr. Nasser is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MBS_DOB_k8.

Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, will run from 13 April to 13 October and is expected to attract over 28 million visitors. The UN Pavilion will be open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

For additional information about the United Nations presence at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, please contact Naomi Ichikawa, UN Department of Global Communications (New York), at email: nichikawa@un.org.

__________

* UN Water is a coordination mechanism, comprising United Nations entities (members) and international organizations (partners) working on water and sanitation issues.

MIL OSI United Nations News –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Hunting Outfitter Pays $500,000 to Resolve Allegations Related to the Cow Creek Fire in Ouray County, Colorado

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

DENVER—The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced today that Jackson Outfitters, LLC, a hunting outfitter based in Placerville, Colorado, has agreed to pay $500,000 to resolve allegations that it is liable for the ignition of a wildland fire, which became known as the Cow Creek Fire and which burned 850 acres on the Uncompahgre National Forest in Ouray County, Colorado, in October 2019.

The United States alleges that the Cow Creek Fire was caused by a wood-burning stove located inside a wall tent in the Green Mountain Camp, which is owned and operated by Cow Creek Outfitters, an affiliate of Jackson Outfitters. At the time of the incident, the Green Mountain Camp was occupied by a party that had booked a self-guided elk hunt through Cow Creek Outfitters. Jackson Outfitters operates its business in the National Forest under a Special Use Permit, which states that Jackson Outfitters has an affirmative duty to protect the land, property, and other interests of the United States—including fire suppression costs—from damage.

The United States alleges that the Cow Creek Fire started at Green Mountain Camp when embers and other ignited material exited a stovepipe attached to the wood-burning stove and landed on the ground, igniting dry vegetation. The Cow Creek fire ultimately burned approximately 850 acres of National Forest System lands. The United States incurred significant suppression costs fighting the fire. The United States alleges that by not ensuring that the wood-burning stove was equipped with a functional, properly-installed spark arrestor, Jackson Outfitters breached its duty to ensure that its activities did not result in an escaped fire.

“Outfitters must ensure that the equipment they use in National Forests is safe and protects public lands for all of us,” said Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell. “We appreciate that this resolution was cooperative and reimburses the United States for costs incurred in fighting the fire.”

The claims against Jackson Outfitters are allegations, and in agreeing to settle this matter, the company did not admit to any liability.

This matter was investigated by U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations and was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Ross.

MIL Security OSI –

February 13, 2025

MIL-OSI: Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. Reports 2024 Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year Financial Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ARCHBOLD, Ohio, Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: FMAO) today reported financial results for the 2024 fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2024.

2024 Fourth Quarter Financial and Operating Highlights (on a year-over-year basis unless noted):

87 consecutive quarters of profitability
Net income increased 51.2% to $8.4 million, or $0.61 per basic and diluted share, from $5.5 million, or $0.41 per basic and diluted share
Asset quality remains at historically strong levels with nonperforming loans of only $3.1 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $22.4 million at December 31, 2023
Net charge-offs to average loans were 0.00%
Allowance for credit losses was 826.70% of nonperforming loans
Tier 1 leverage ratio was 8.12%
Net interest margin increased 27 basis points to 2.84%
Efficiency ratio improved to 59.82%, compared to 69.23% for the same period a year ago

2024 Full-Year Financial Highlights Include (on a year-over-year basis unless noted):

Total loans, net were $2.56 billion at December 31, 2024, compared to $2.58 billion at December 31, 2023 and $2.54 billion at September 30, 2024
Total assets increased 2.5% to $3.36 billion
Deposits increased 3.0% to a record $2.69 billion
Stockholders’ equity increased 5.9% to $335.2 million
Net interest income after provision for credit losses increased 7.5% to $85.6 million
Return on average tangible equity was 8.91%
F&M ended 2024 with excellent liquidity levels, and over $690 million in contingent funding sources, and a cash-to-assets ratio of 5.3%, compared to 4.3% at December 31, 2023
Dividend raised 3.8% year-over-year, representing the 30^th consecutive annual increase in the Company’s regular dividend payment since 1994

Lars B. Eller, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Our strong 2024 financial performance reflects solid execution of our multi-year strategic plan, as we have remained focused on continual improvements, managing the items under our control, and providing our customers and communities with outstanding, and local financial services. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our team and the trust of our customers, F&M’s financial and operating results strengthened throughout 2024. This performance creates a solid foundation and further solidifies F&M’s position as a leading community bank in the Ohio, Indiana and Michigan markets we serve.”

Mr. Eller continued, “Strong earnings growth in 2024 was driven by the success of ongoing strategies aimed at expanding our net interest margin, maintaining excellent asset quality, and driving efficiencies across our business. Core earnings for the 2024 fourth quarter were strong as net interest income after provision for credit losses increased 16.1% year-over-year to a quarterly record of $22.6 million, and noninterest income expanded 4.1% year-over-year to $4.0 million. We believe these trends highlight the improvements we have made to profitability, and we expect these trends to continue in the second half 2025.”

Income Statement
Net income for the 2024 fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024, was $8.4 million, compared to $5.5 million for the same period last year. Net income per basic and diluted share for the 2024 fourth quarter was $0.61, compared to $0.41 for the same period last year. Net income for the 2024 twelve months ended December 31, 2024, was $25.9 million, compared to $22.8 million for the same period last year. Net income per basic and diluted share for the 2024 twelve months was $1.90, compared to $1.67 for the same period last year.

Deposits
At December 31, 2024, total deposits were a record $2.69 billion, an increase of 3.0% from December 31, 2023. The Company’s cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 3.01% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, compared to 3.02% for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. For the 2024 twelve months ended December 31, 2024, F&M’s cost of interest-bearing liabilities was 3.12%, compared to 2.53% in the prior year reflecting the higher rate environment and growth in interest-bearing checking and savings accounts.

Mr. Eller commented, “Throughout 2024, we pursued strategies aimed at optimizing our deposit base and growing low-cost checking (DDA) deposits. Since the beginning of 2024, we added nearly 7,500 new checking accounts, and benefited from new and expanded relationships at offices that were opened in 2023. As a result, we ended 2024 with a loan-to-deposit ratio of 94.4%, compared to 98.0% at December 31, 2023.”

Loan Portfolio and Asset Quality
“While the demand for loans is high across our markets, our approach to risk and pricing remains prudent. This strategy has contributed to historically strong asset quality over the past two quarters and is a testament to F&M’s risk, lending, and compliance capabilities and high-performing teams. We expect loan growth to increase modestly in 2025, with growth weighted in the back half of the year. In addition, 31.4% of our loan portfolio is subject to reprice in the next 12 months. We believe these favorable trends will contribute to higher net interest income in 2025,” continued Mr. Eller.

Total loans, net at December 31, 2024, decreased 0.7%, or by $19.3 million to $2.56 billion, compared to $2.58 billion at December 31, 2023. The year-over-year decline was driven primarily by lower consumer real estate, consumer, and agricultural real estate loans, partially offset primarily by higher commercial and industrial and agricultural loans. Compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2024, total loans, net at December 31, 2024 increased by 0.9% or $23.5 million.

F&M continues to closely monitor its loan portfolio with a particular emphasis on higher risk sectors. Nonperforming loans were $3.1 million, or 0.12% of total loans at December 31, 2024, compared to $22.4 million, or 0.87% of total loans at December 31, 2023, and $2.9 million, or 0.11% at September 30, 2024.

F&M maintains a well-balanced, diverse and high performing CRE portfolio. CRE loans represented 51.2% of the Company’s total loan portfolio at December 31, 2024. In addition, F&M’s commercial real estate office credit exposure represented 5.2% of the Company’s total loan portfolio at December 31, 2024, with a weighted average loan-to-value of approximately 64% and an average loan of approximately $958,100.

F&M’s CRE portfolio included the following categories at December 31, 2024:

CRE Category	Dollar Balance		Percent of CRE Portfolio⁽^*)	Percent of Total Loan Portfolio⁽^*)

Industrial	$	269,315	20.6%	10.5%
Multi-family		233,868	17.8%	9.1%
Retail		219,395	16.7%	8.6%
Hotels		141,514	10.8%	5.5%
Office		134,139	10.2%	5.2%
Gas Stations		70,767	5.4%	2.8%
Food Service		49,246	3.8%	1.9%
Senior Living		31,799	2.4%	1.3%
Development		29,491	2.3%	1.2%
Auto Dealers		28,081	2.1%	1.1%
Other		103,196	7.9%	4.0%
Total CRE	$	1,310,811	100.0%	51.2%

* Numbers have been rounded

At December 31, 2024, the Company’s allowance for credit losses to nonperforming loans was 826.70%, compared to 111.95% at December 31, 2023. The allowance to total loans was 1.07% at December 31, 2024, compared to 1.06% at December 31, 2023. Including accretable yield adjustments, associated with the Company’s prior acquisitions, F&M’s allowance for credit losses to total loans was 1.08% at December 31, 2024, compared to 1.13% at December 31, 2023.

Mr. Eller concluded, “Throughout the new year, we will leverage F&M’s strong banking platform, while continuing to make strategic investments that expanded our operations, capabilities, and services. We believe this will expand operating efficiencies and produce better outcomes for our customers. I am proud of our strong performance in 2024, and expect 2025 to be another good year for F&M.”

Stockholders’ Equity and Dividends
Total stockholders’ equity increased 5.9% to $335.2 million, or $24.47 per share at December 31, 2024, from $316.5 million, or $23.17 per share at December 31, 2023. The Company’s Tier 1 leverage ratio of 8.12%, remained stable compared to December 31, 2023.

Tangible stockholders’ equity increased to $270.0 million at December 31, 2024, compared to $254.2 million at December 31, 2023. On a per share basis, tangible stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2024, was $17.74 per share, compared to $16.29 per share at December 31, 2023.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the Company declared cash dividends of $0.8825 per share, representing a 3.8% increase over the same period last year. F&M is committed to returning capital to shareholders and has increased the annual cash dividend for 30 consecutive years. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, the dividend payout ratio was 46.07% compared to 50.65% for the same period last year.

About Farmers & Merchants State Bank:
F&M Bank is a local independent community bank that has been serving its communities since 1897. F&M Bank provides commercial banking, retail banking and other financial services. Our locations are in Butler, Champaign, Fulton, Defiance, Hancock, Henry, Lucas, Shelby, Williams, and Wood counties in Ohio. In Northeast Indiana, we have offices located in Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Jay, Steuben and Wells counties. The Michigan footprint includes Oakland County, and we have Loan Production Offices in Troy, Michigan; Muncie, Indiana; and Perrysburg and Bryan, Ohio.

Safe Harbor Statement
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (“F&M”) wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements by F&M, including management’s expectations and comments, may not be based on historical facts and are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could vary materially depending on risks and uncertainties inherent in general and local banking conditions, competitive factors specific to markets in which F&M and its subsidiaries operate, future interest rate levels, legislative and regulatory decisions, capital market conditions, or the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and its impacts on our credit quality and business operations, as well as its impact on general economic and financial market conditions. F&M assumes no responsibility to update this information. For more details, please refer to F&M’s SEC filing, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Such filings can be viewed at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov or through F&M’s website www.fm.bank.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes disclosure of financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes or includes amounts that are required to be disclosed by GAAP. Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide both management and investors a more complete understanding of the underlying operational results and trends and Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc.’s marketplace performance. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the numbers prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is included within this press release.

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME & COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) (in thousands of dollars, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended															Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024			September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			March 31, 2024			December 31, 2023			December 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Interest Income
Loans, including fees	$	36,663		$	36,873		$	36,593		$	35,200		$	34,493		$	145,329		$	129,344
Debt securities:
U.S. Treasury and government agencies	1,882			1,467			1,148			1,045			987			5,542			4,090
Municipalities	384			387			389			394			397			1,554			1,598
Dividends	367			334			327			333			365			1,361			882
Federal funds sold	24			7			7			7			8			45			44
Other	2,531			2,833			2,702			1,675			2,020			9,741			3,850
Total interest income	41,851			41,901			41,166			38,654			38,270			163,572			139,808
Interest Expense
Deposits	15,749			16,947			16,488			15,279			15,015			64,463			46,923
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	274			277			276			284			293			1,111			1,474
Borrowed funds	2,713			2,804			2,742			2,689			2,742			10,948			8,876
Subordinated notes	285			284			285			284			285			1,138			1,138
Total interest expense	19,021			20,312			19,791			18,536			18,335			77,660			58,411
Net Interest Income – Before Provision for Credit Losses	22,830			21,589			21,375			20,118			19,935			85,912			81,397
Provision for (Recovery of) Credit Losses – Loans	346			282			605			(289		)	278			944			1,698
Provision for (Recovery of) Credit Losses – Off Balance Sheet Credit Exposures	(120		)	(267		)	(18		)	(266		)	189			(671		)	46
Net Interest Income After Provision for Credit Losses	22,604			21,574			20,788			20,673			19,468			85,639			79,653
Noninterest Income
Customer service fees	237			300			189			598			415			1,324			1,332
Other service charges and fees	1,176			1,155			1,085			1,057			1,090			4,473			4,343
Interchange income	1,322			1,315			1,330			1,429			1,310			5,396			5,318
Loan servicing income	771			710			513			539			666			2,533			4,405
Net gain on sale of loans	223			215			314			107			230			859			699
Increase in cash surrender value of bank owned life insurance	248			265			236			216			216			965			834
Net gain (loss) on sale of other assets owned	22			–			49			–			(86		)	71			(135		)
Net loss on sale of available-for-sale securities	–			–			–			–			–			–			(891		)
Total noninterest income	3,999			3,960			3,716			3,946			3,841			15,621			15,905
Noninterest Expense
Salaries and wages	7,020			7,713			7,589			7,846			6,981			30,168			26,915
Employee benefits	2,148			2,112			2,112			2,171			1,218			8,543			7,520
Net occupancy expense	1,072			1,054			999			1,027			1,187			4,152			3,833
Furniture and equipment	1,032			1,472			1,407			1,353			1,370			5,264			5,022
Data processing	160			339			448			500			785			1,447			3,147
Franchise taxes	312			410			265			555			308			1,542			1,487
ATM expense	328			472			397			473			665			1,670			2,611
Advertising	498			597			519			530			397			2,144			2,606
FDIC assessment	505			516			507			580			594			2,108			1,982
Servicing rights amortization – net	244			219			187			168			182			818			611
Loan expense	236			244			251			229			246			960			1,055
Consulting fees	242			251			198			186			192			877			832
Professional fees	368			453			527			445			331			1,793			1,430
Intangible asset amortization	446			445			444			445			446			1,780			1,780
Other general and administrative	1,465			1,128			1,495			1,333			1,532			5,421			6,373
Total noninterest expense	16,076			17,425			17,345			17,841			16,434			68,687			67,204
Income Before Income Taxes	10,527			8,109			7,159			6,778			6,875			32,573			28,354
Income Taxes	2,146			1,593			1,477			1,419			1,332			6,635			5,567
Net Income	8,381			6,516			5,682			5,359			5,543			25,938			22,787
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Net of Tax):
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	(7,403		)	11,664			2,531			(1,995		)	13,261			4,797			10,781
Reclassification adjustment for realized loss on sale of available-for-sale securities	–			–			–			–			–			–			891
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities	(7,403		)	11,664			2,531			(1,995		)	13,261			4,797			11,672
Tax expense (benefit)	(1,554		)	2,449			531			(418		)	2,784			1,008			2,451
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,849		)	9,215			2,000			(1,577		)	10,477			3,789			9,221
Comprehensive Income	$	2,532		$	15,731		$	7,682		$	3,782		$	16,020		$	29,727		$	32,008
Basic Earnings Per Share	$	0.61		$	0.48		$	0.42		$	0.39		$	0.41		$	1.90		$	1.67
Diluted Earnings Per Share	$	0.61		$	0.48		$	0.42		$	0.39		$	0.41		$	1.90		$	1.67
Dividends Declared	$	0.22125		$	0.22125		$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.88250		$	0.85

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (in thousands of dollars, except per share data)

	December 31, 2024			September 30, 2024			June 30, 2024			March 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
				(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	174,855		$	244,572		$	191,785		$	186,541		$	140,917
Federal funds sold	1,496			932			1,283			1,241			1,284
Total cash and cash equivalents	176,351			245,504			193,068			187,782			142,201

Interest-bearing time deposits	2,482			2,727			3,221			2,735			2,740
Securities – available-for-sale	426,556			404,881			365,209			347,516			358,478
Other securities, at cost	14,400			15,028			14,721			14,744			17,138
Loans held for sale	2,996			1,706			1,628			2,410			1,576
Loans, net of allowance for credit losses of $25,826 12/31/24 and $25,024 12/31/23	2,536,043			2,512,852			2,534,468			2,516,687			2,556,167
Premises and equipment	33,828			33,779			34,507			35,007			35,790
Construction in progress	–			35			38			9			8
Goodwill	86,358			86,358			86,358			86,358			86,358
Loan servicing rights	5,656			5,644			5,504			5,555			5,648
Bank owned life insurance	34,872			34,624			34,359			34,123			33,907
Other assets	45,181			46,047			49,552			54,628			43,218
Total Assets	$	3,364,723		$	3,389,185		$	3,322,633		$	3,287,554		$	3,283,229

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities
Deposits
Noninterest-bearing	$	516,904		$	481,444		$	479,069		$	510,731		$	528,465
Interest-bearing
NOW accounts	850,462			865,617			821,145			829,236			816,790
Savings	671,818			661,565			673,284			635,430			599,191
Time	647,581			676,187			667,592			645,985			663,017
Total deposits	2,686,765			2,684,813			2,641,090			2,621,382			2,607,463

Federal funds purchased and securities
sold under agreements to repurchase	27,218			27,292			27,218			28,218			28,218
Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) advances	246,056			263,081			266,102			256,628			265,750
Subordinated notes, net of unamortized issuance costs	34,818			34,789			34,759			34,731			34,702
Dividend payable	2,996			2,998			2,975			2,975			2,974
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	31,659			40,832			27,825			25,930			27,579
Total liabilities	3,029,512			3,053,805			2,999,969			2,969,864			2,966,686

Commitments and Contingencies

Stockholders’ Equity
Common stock – No par value 20,000,000 shares authorized; issued
14,564,425 shares 12/31/24 and 12/31/23; outstanding 13,699,536	135,565			135,193			135,829			135,482			135,515
shares 12/31/24 and 13,664,641 shares 12/31/23
Treasury stock – 864,889 shares 12/31/24 and 899,784 shares 12/31/23	(10,985		)	(10,904		)	(11,006		)	(10,851		)	(11,040		)
Retained earnings	235,854			230,465			226,430			223,648			221,080
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(25,223		)	(19,374		)	(28,589		)	(30,589		)	(29,012		)
Total stockholders’ equity	335,211			335,380			322,664			317,690			316,543

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	3,364,723		$	3,389,185		$	3,322,633		$	3,287,554		$	3,283,229

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES SELECT FINANCIAL DATA

	For the Three Months Ended										For the Twelve Months Ended
Selected financial data	December 31, 2024		September 30, 2024		June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023		December 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Return on average assets		0.99%		0.78%		0.69%		0.66%		0.67%		0.78%		0.71%
Return on average equity		10.00%		7.93%		7.13%		6.76%		7.27%		7.98%		7.46%
Yield on earning assets		5.20%		5.27%		5.22%		5.00%		4.93%		5.17%		4.67%
Cost of interest bearing liabilities		3.01%		3.21%		3.18%		3.06%		3.02%		3.12%		2.53%
Net interest spread		2.19%		2.06%		2.04%		1.94%		1.91%		2.05%		2.14%
Net interest margin		2.84%		2.71%		2.71%		2.60%		2.57%		2.72%		2.72%
Efficiency		59.82%		67.98%		69.03%		74.08%		69.23%		67.54%		68.48%
Dividend payout ratio		35.75%		45.99%		52.35%		55.52%		54.23%		46.07%		50.65%
Tangible book value per share	$	17.74	$	17.72	$	16.79	$	16.39	$	16.29
Tier 1 leverage ratio		8.12%		8.04%		8.02%		8.40%		8.20%
Average shares outstanding		13,699,869		13,687,119		13,681,501		13,671,166		13,665,773		13,679,955		13,641,336

Loans	December 31, 2024		September 30, 2024		June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Commercial real estate	$	1,310,811	$	1,301,160	$	1,303,598	$	1,304,400	$	1,337,766
Agricultural real estate		216,401		220,328		222,558		227,455		223,791
Consumer real estate		520,114		524,055		525,902		525,178		521,895
Commercial and industrial		275,152		260,732		268,426		256,051		254,935
Agricultural		152,080		137,252		142,909		127,670		132,560
Consumer		63,009		67,394		70,918		74,819		79,591
Other		24,978		25,916		26,449		26,776		30,136
Less: Net deferred loan fees, costs and other ⁽¹⁾		(676)		1,499		(1,022)		(982)		517
Total loans, net	$	2,561,869	$	2,538,336	$	2,559,738	$	2,541,367	$	2,581,191


Asset quality data	December 31, 2024		September 30, 2024		June 30, 2024		March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
(Dollar amounts in thousands)
Nonaccrual loans	$	3,124	$	2,898	$	2,487	$	19,391	$	22,353
90 day past due and accruing	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–
Nonperforming loans	$	3,124	$	2,898	$	2,487	$	19,391	$	22,353
Other real estate owned	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–	$	–
Nonperforming assets	$	3,124	$	2,898	$	2,487	$	19,391	$	22,353


Allowance for credit losses	$	25,826	$	25,484	$	25,270	$	24,680	$	25,024
Allowance for unfunded		1,541		1,661		1,928		1,946		2,212
Total allowance for credit losses	$	27,367	$	27,145	$	27,198	$	26,626	$	27,236
Total allowance for credit losses/total loans		1.07%		1.07%		1.06%		1.05%		1.06%
Adjusted credit losses with accretable yield/total loans		1.08%		1.10%		1.10%		1.11%		1.13%
Net charge-offs:
Quarter-to-date	$	4	$	68	$	15	$	55	$	531
Year-to-date	$	142	$	138	$	70	$	55	$	551
Net charge-offs to average loans
Quarter-to-date		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		0.00%		0.02%
Year-to-date		0.01%		0.01%		0.00%		0.00%		0.02%
Nonperforming loans/total loans		0.12%		0.11%		0.10%		0.76%		0.87%
Allowance for credit losses/nonperforming loans		826.70%		879.37%		1016.08%		127.28%		111.95%
NPA coverage ratio		826.70%		879.37%		1016.08%		127.28%		111.95%

⁽¹⁾ Includes carrying value adjustments of $1.1 million as of December 31, 2024, $3.0 million as of September 30, 2024, $612 thousand as of June 30, 2024, $969 thousand as of March 31, 2024 and $2.7 million as of December 31, 2023 related to interest rate swaps

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND RELATED YIELDS AND RATES (in thousands of dollars, except percentages)

	For the Three Months Ended						For the Three Months Ended
	December 31, 2024						December 31, 2023
Interest Earning Assets:	Average Balance		Interest/ Dividends		Annualized Yield/Rate		Average Balance		Interest/ Dividends		Annualized Yield/Rate
Loans	$	2,543,628	$	36,663	5.77	%	$	2,553,023	$	34,493	5.41	%
Taxable investment securities	450,648		2,554		2.27	%	386,931		1,660		1.72	%
Tax-exempt investment securities	18,571		79		2.15	%	24,145		89		1.87	%
Fed funds sold & other	209,307		2,555		4.88	%	142,642		2,028		5.69	%
Total Interest Earning Assets	3,222,154		$	41,851	5.20	%	3,106,741		$	38,270	4.93	%

Nonearning Assets	174,172						189,202

Total Assets	$	3,396,326					$	3,295,943

Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	1,548,638	$	9,459	2.44	%	$	1,392,304	$	8,570	2.46	%
Other time deposits	666,896		6,290		3.77	%	701,347		6,445		3.68	%
Other borrowed money	255,490		2,713		4.25	%	265,948		2,742		4.12	%
Fed funds purchased & securities
sold under agreement to repurchase	27,341		274		4.01	%	28,739		293		4.08	%
Subordinated notes	34,799		285		3.28	%	34,683		285		3.29	%
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities	$	2,533,164	$	19,021	3.01	%	$	2,423,021	$	18,335	3.02	%

Noninterest Bearing Liabilities	527,751						567,813

Stockholders’ Equity	$	335,411					$	305,109

Net Interest Income and Interest Rate Spread			$	22,830	2.19	%			$	19,935	1.91	%

Net Interest Margin					2.84	%					2.57	%

Yields on Tax exempt securities and the portion of the tax-exempt IDB loans included in loans have been tax adjusted based on a 21% tax rate in the charts


	For the Twelve Months Ended						For the Twelve Months Ended
	December 31, 2024						December 31, 2023
Interest Earning Assets:	Average Balance		Interest/ Dividends		Annualized Yield/Rate		Average Balance		Interest/ Dividends		Annualized Yield/Rate
Loans	$	2,557,213	$	145,329	5.68	%	$	2,491,502	$	129,344	5.19	%
Taxable investment securities	410,764		8,129		1.98	%	394,424		6,204		1.57	%
Tax-exempt investment securities	20,154		328		2.06	%	24,686		366		1.88	%
Fed funds sold & other	176,307		9,786		5.55	%	85,018		3,894		4.58	%
Total Interest Earning Assets	3,164,438		$	163,572	5.17	%	2,995,630		$	139,808	4.67	%

Nonearning Assets	164,464						197,726

Total Assets	$	3,328,902					$	3,193,356

Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	1,502,365	$	39,750	2.65	%	$	1,376,318	$	27,424	1.99	%
Other time deposits	663,320		24,713		3.73	%	640,390		19,499		3.04	%
Other borrowed money	262,094		10,948		4.18	%	220,175		8,876		4.03	%
Fed funds purchased & securities
sold under agreement to repurchase	27,750		1,111		4.00	%	35,421		1,474		4.16	%
Subordinated notes	34,755		1,138		3.27	%	34,640		1,138		3.29	%
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities	$	2,490,284	$	77,660	3.12	%	$	2,306,944	$	58,411	2.53	%

Noninterest Bearing Liabilities	513,588						580,931

Stockholders’ Equity	$	325,030					$	305,481

Net Interest Income and Interest Rate Spread			$	85,912	2.05	%			$	81,397	2.14	%

Net Interest Margin					2.72	%					2.72	%

Yields on Tax exempt securities and the portion of the tax-exempt IDB loans included in loans have been tax adjusted based on a 21% tax rate in the charts

FARMERS & MERCHANTS BANCORP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS AND RELATED YIELDS AND RATES (in thousands of dollars, except percentages)

	For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2024													For the Three Months Ended December 31, 2023
	As Reported				Excluding Acc/Amort				Difference					As Reported				Excluding Acc/Amort				Difference
	$		Yield		$		Yield		$			Yield		$		Yield		$		Yield		$			Yield
Interest Earning Assets:
Loans	$	36,663	5.77	%	$	36,039	5.67	%	$	624		0.10	%	$	34,493	5.41	%	$	33,769	5.29	%	$	724		0.12	%
Taxable investment securities	2,554		2.27	%	2,554		2.27	%	–			0.00	%	1,660		1.72	%	1,660		1.72	%	–			0.00	%
Tax-exempt investment securities	79		2.15	%	79		2.15	%	–			0.00	%	89		1.87	%	89		1.87	%	–			0.00	%
Fed funds sold & other	2,555		4.88	%	2,555		4.88	%	–			0.00	%	2,028		5.69	%	2,028		5.69	%	–			0.00	%
Total Interest Earning Assets	41,851		5.20	%	41,227		5.12	%	624			0.08	%	38,270		4.93	%	37,546		4.84	%	724			0.09	%

Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	9,459	2.44	%	$	9,459	2.44	%	$ –			0.00	%	$	8,570	2.46	%	$	8,570	2.46	%	$ –			0.00	%
Other time deposits	6,290		3.77	%	6,290		3.77	%	–			0.00	%	6,445		3.68	%	6,381		3.64	%	64			0.04	%
Other borrowed money	2,713		4.25	%	2,710		4.24	%	3			0.01	%	2,742		4.12	%	2,760		4.15	%	(18		)	-0.03	%
Federal funds purchased and
securities sold under agreement to
repurchase	274		4.01	%	274		4.01	%	–			0.00	%	293		4.08	%	293		4.08	%	–			0.00	%
Subordinated notes	285		3.28	%	285		3.28	%	–			0.00	%	285		3.29	%	285		3.29	%	–			0.00	%
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities	19,021		3.01	%	19,018		3.00	%	3			0.01	%	18,335		3.02	%	18,289		3.02	%	46			0.00	%

Interest/Dividend income/yield	41,851		5.20	%	41,227		5.12	%	624			0.08	%	38,270		4.93	%	37,546		4.84	%	724			0.09	%
Interest Expense / yield	19,021		3.01	%	19,018		3.00	%	3			0.01	%	18,335		3.02	%	18,289		3.02	%	46			0.00	%
Net Interest Spread	22,830		2.19	%	22,209		2.12	%	621			0.07	%	19,935		1.91	%	19,257		1.82	%	678			0.09	%
Net Interest Margin			2.84	%			2.76	%				0.08	%			2.57	%			2.48	%				0.09	%

	For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024													For the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
	As Reported				Excluding Acc/Amort				Difference					As Reported				Excluding Acc/Amort				Difference
	$		Yield		$		Yield		$			Yield		$		Yield		$		Yield		$			Yield
Interest Earning Assets:
Loans	$	145,329	5.68	%	$	142,627	5.58	%	$	2,702		0.10	%	$	129,344	5.19	%	$	126,133	5.06	%	$	3,211		0.13	%
Taxable investment securities	8,129		1.98	%	8,129		1.98	%	–			0.00	%	6,204		1.57	%	6,204		1.57	%	–			0.00	%
Tax-exempt investment securities	328		2.06	%	328		2.06	%	–			0.00	%	366		1.88	%	366		1.88	%	–			0.00	%
Fed funds sold & other	9,786		5.55	%	9,786		5.55	%	–			0.00	%	3,894		4.58	%	3,894		4.58	%	–			0.00	%
Total Interest Earning Assets	163,572		5.17	%	160,870		5.09	%	2,702			0.08	%	139,808		4.67	%	136,597		4.57	%	3,211			0.10	%

Interest Bearing Liabilities:
Savings deposits	$	39,750	2.65	%	$	39,750	2.65	%	$ –			0.00	%	$	27,424	1.99	%	$	27,424	1.99	%	$ –			0.00	%
Other time deposits	24,713		3.73	%	24,713		3.73	%	–			0.00	%	19,499		3.04	%	19,839		3.10	%	(340		)	-0.06	%
Other borrowed money	10,948		4.18	%	10,964		4.18	%	(16		)	0.00	%	8,876		4.03	%	8,947		4.06	%	(71		)	-0.03	%
Federal funds purchased and
securities sold under agreement to
repurchase	1,111		4.00	%	1,111		4.00	%	–			0.00	%	1,474		4.16	%	1,474		4.16	%	–			0.00	%
Subordinated notes	1,138		3.27	%	1,138		3.27	%	–			0.00	%	1,138		3.29	%	1,138		3.29	%	–			0.00	%
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities	77,660		3.12	%	77,676		3.12	%	(16		)	0.00	%	58,411		2.53	%	58,822		2.55	%	(411		)	-0.02	%

Interest/Dividend income/yield	163,572		5.17	%	160,870		5.09	%	2,702			0.08	%	139,808		4.67	%	136,597		4.57	%	3,211			0.10	%
Interest Expense / yield	77,660		3.12	%	77,676		3.12	%	(16		)	0.00	%	58,411		2.53	%	58,822		2.55	%	(411		)	-0.02	%
Net Interest Spread	85,912		2.05	%	83,194		1.97	%	2,718			0.08	%	81,397		2.14	%	77,775		2.02	%	3,622			0.12	%
Net Interest Margin			2.72	%			2.63	%				0.09	%			2.72	%			2.60	%				0.12	%

Company Contact:	Investor and Media Contact:
Lars B. Eller President and Chief Executive Officer Farmers & Merchants Bancorp, Inc. (419) 446-2501 leller@fm.bank	Andrew M. Berger Managing Director SM Berger & Company, Inc. (216) 464-6400 andrew@smberger.com

The MIL Network –

February 13, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Grassley Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Deadly Fentanyl Additive Xylazine

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) reintroduced their Combating Illicit Xylazine Act. This bill, which would list xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance while protecting the drug’s legal use by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers, has bipartisan support from members of Congress in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Xylazine, also known as “tranq,” is an easily accessible veterinary tranquilizer that is being used as a low-cost cutting agent for fentanyl. Cortez Masto’s bipartisan legislation would schedule this dangerous drug and give law enforcement the tools they need to go after traffickers while protecting access for veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers who use xylazine to treat large animals. The bill is endorsed by 39 state attorneys general, major law enforcement organizations, and veterinary organizations.
“Xylazine poses a growing threat across the Silver State, and our law enforcement officers simply don’t have the tools they need to keep our communities safe from this dangerous drug,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “My bipartisan, bicameral bill would crack down on illegal use of xylazine while protecting its legitimate use by veterinarians and ranchers. It’s time for Congress to act now and pass this life-saving legislation.”
“Illicit xylazine is contributing to the national drug epidemic and driving up overdose deaths in communities across the country. Our nation’s laws must keep pace with emerging drug trends,” Senator Grassley said. “This bipartisan bill recognizes the lethal threat of xylazine and provides law enforcement new tools to combat its spread, while ensuring veterinarians, ranchers and cattlemen can continue to access the drug for legitimate animal treatment.”
The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act would:
Schedule xylazine as Schedule III illicit substance under the Controlled Substances Act;
Ensure veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers can still use the drug for its intended purpose by creating a clear definition of “ultimate user” – someone lawfully permitted to possess a controlled substance for legitimate use;
Enable the DEA to track its manufacturing to ensure it is not diverted to the illicit market; and
Require a report on prevalence, risks, and recommendations regarding xylazine.
This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Shelly Moore Capitol (R-W.Va.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). It is led in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19) and August Pfluger (R-Texas-11).
“The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act strikes the right balance of helping address the public health threat of illicit xylazine while maintaining veterinary access to this critical animal sedative,” said Dr. Sandra Faeh, President of the American Veterinary Medical Association. “Strongly endorsed by the AVMA, this legislation is essential to protecting our communities from the grave health and safety risks of illicit xylazine, upholding animal welfare, supporting public health, and ensuring our nation’s veterinarians are equipped with all the necessary resources to provide high-quality veterinary care. We greatly appreciate Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Chuck Grassley and Representatives Jimmy Panetta and August Pfluger for their leadership on this increasingly important issue. The AVMA looks forward to working with Congress on getting this well-balanced approach enacted into law.”
Senator Cortez Masto has been working to crack down on illicit drugs since she was first elected Attorney General, when she worked with Nevada’s Republican governor, law enforcement, and Mexican officials to combat the rise of methamphetamine manufacturing and cross-border drug trafficking. In the Senate, she has authored legislation to combat drug trafficking online that was signed into law, and passed critical legislation to eliminate illegal fentanyl supply chains. She also recently cosponsored the HALT Fentanyl Act which just passed the U.S. House of Representatives and will combat illegal fentanyl and keep our communities safe.

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: New appointments to Agricultural Products Marketing Council
The council is a public agency that oversees agricultural marketing boards and commissions to ensure they are implementing governance best practices, provides policy advice to the minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, and administers legislation for the agricultural industry and government.

“This is an important board, whose membership includes people with excellent agricultural credentials and experience. It provides the government with advice to ensure our ag industry remains competitive and innovative, while attracting investment, creating jobs and putting food on the tables of Alberta families and families across the country and around the world.”

RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

Three appointees are returning for a second term, including the new council chair, John Buckley, and vice-chair, Henricus Bos. The new chair and vice-chair will assume their executive positions effective March 21, 2025. The third appointment for a second term is council member John Guelly.

Susan Novak continues to serve as the government’s representative.

“I am honoured to be appointed chair of the Marketing Council board. I’ve enjoyed the past three years on council, particularly helping amalgamate the former wheat and barley commissions and our continued focus on marketing board and commission bylaws. I look forward to working with my fellow council members, our boards and commissions and Minister Sigurdson to help ensure agriculture remains a strong and thriving sector in Alberta.”

John Buckley, chair of the Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council

Three other members are either completing their terms or have decided to resign due to other priorities. They will be replaced by three new council members, who will infuse new ideas and perspectives into the council. They are:
- Ian Chitwood
- Susan Schafers
- David Moss
The new council members will start their first term on March 21, 2025.

The government appoints council members using an open and competitive application and members are chosen based on experience and credentials.

Quick facts
- The Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council is established under the Marketing of Agricultural Products Act. The council currently has seven members, including a Government of Alberta representative.
- Council members can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms (one term is three years) and are appointed by an order-in-council.
Related information – Biographies

John Buckley: John and his wife operate a cow-calf operation southwest of Cochrane. John has 40 years of experience in the livestock industry. John has been active in his community and industry and continues to be involved with a number of organizations and groups. His passion for rangelands, specifically grasslands, fuels his desire to operate in such a way that leaves the land in a better state than when he started operating on it, creating opportunity for future generations.

Henricus Bos: Hennie is a farmer, on-farm processor and industry leader. He has filled many leadership roles in the Alberta and Canadian dairy industry as director and chair of Alberta Milk, as well as commissioner at the Canadian Dairy Commission. Being involved provincially and nationally in the dairy industry, combined with Bles-Wold yogurt processing experience, Hennie knows the industry and supply management well. Hennie holds a bachelor of science in dairy science and has completed several governance and business courses.

John Guelly: John is a third-generation grain and oilseed farmer from north-central Alberta. He, his wife and two children have been farming for more than 30 years. John was a regional director for Alberta Canola from 2015-2021 (chair from 2019-2021), and has served on numerous other local, provincial, and national boards and committees in the agricultural industry. John graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc. in agricultural engineering and previously worked full-time in manufacturing, as well as consulting while operating the farm.

Ian Chitwood: Ian is a farmer and a professor who works with students to advance agriculture. Ian has extensive board experience with Alberta Canola, Agsafe Alberta and Verb Theatre. Ian has a PhD in business from Athabasca University, a MBA, a M.A., and a B.Comm from the University of Alberta.

Susan Schafers: Susan is a second-generation pullet and cattle farmer who is past chair for Egg Farmers of Alberta and current chair for Parkland County’s Agricultural Service Board. Susan has broad experience serving on local, provincial and national boards as well as various committees. She has strong governance training and experience in facilitation and consensus building. She holds a B.Sc. in agriculture and food business management from the University of Alberta.

David Moss: David is the director of business development (Animal Agriculture) for TELUS Agriculture. Previously, he was the general manager of the Canadian Cattle Association where he led the animal health file and worked closely with the Government of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on numerous files, including co-chairing the working group responsible for Canada regaining negligible-risk status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) by the World Organization for Animal Health. He was co-founder and vice-president of AgriClear LP, an enterprise level online agri-business marketplace joint venture with the TMX Group. He has also held executive roles at ITS Global and Livestock Identification Services. An entrepreneur by nature, David has been in the agriculture industry his entire career. He helped build ranch-to-retail alliances in the United States, Australia and South America and brings a focus on innovation, data technology, and international business knowledge and experience. David holds a master of arts in Leadership Studies from the University of Guelph, a bachelor of management from the University of Lethbridge, and a master’s certificate in project management from York University. He serves on numerous industry committees and is an active volunteer in his Okotoks community.

Susan Novak: Susan has a wealth of experience in leading policy, programs and people. She received her PhD in animal science from the University of Alberta and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Laval University. Susan started her career at Agriculture and Irrigation as the provincial horse specialist, and now is the executive director of the animal health and assurance branch. She also has a wealth of experience delivering agriculture research funding programming to support a competitive and sustainable agriculture industry in Alberta.

Frank Robinson: Frank has a PhD from the University of Guelph and has been a University of Alberta professor for 35 years. He has worked with broiler breeder chickens to improve reproductive fitness. He has taught introductory animal science classes to more than 1,000 students with a focus on experiential learning. Frank has served as vice-provost and dean of students at the University of Alberta. He has fulfilled leadership roles in several agricultural and academic boards and associations. He was inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2006.

MIL OSI Canada News –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: NSW Government appoints first statutory Agriculture Commissioner
Source: New South Wales Premiere

Published: 13 February 2025

Released by: Minister for Agriculture

The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to ensure the New South Wales farmers and agriculture industry are safeguarded into the future with the appointment of Alison Stone as the state’s first statutory Agriculture Commissioner.
Committed to during the state election and legislated last year, the Commissioner will provide independent advice, conduct reviews and make recommendations to the NSW Government on agricultural matters, including productivity, land use conflict and food security.

Commissioner Stone has over 40 years of experience across primary industries equipping her to provide informed advice to the NSW Government on future proofing this vital industry.

This experience has included 25 years as a farmer, policy experience across Land, Natural Resources, Foresty, Heritage and Wildlife Roles and experience in disaster resilience, response and recovery having led the codesign process for the Disaster Wise Communities Network.

Further, the Commissioner served on the NSW Government’s cornerstone Regional Advisory Council, the Victorian Fisheries Co-Management Council and the Commonwealth Government’s Forest Industry Advisory Council.

As Agriculture Commissioner, Ms Stone will serve an initial three-year term with work to include:
- Assisting the NSW Government in developing an ongoing system for defining, identifying, and mapping agricultural lands throughout the State
- Progressing the pilot of a Farm Practices Panel, which will look at ways to reduce conflict between agricultural producers and neighbours on a broader scale
- Providing input and advice to address challenges related to critical renewable energy infrastructure to support our energy transition and the impact it can have on landholders
- Promoting a coordinated and collaborative approach across the Commonwealth Government, the NSW Government and local government in relation to agricultural matters
- Work with the Net Zero Commissioner promoting a cohesive approach to policy making.
The appointment of the state’s first Statutory Agriculture Commissioner is part of the Minns Labor Government’s ongoing work to ensure regional communities and farmers can thrive. This work has included the following:
- The appointment of the state’s first Independent Biosecurity Commissioner Dr Marion Healy
- The creation of the $450 million Regional Development Trust Fund to deliver sustainable and strategic investment that make a real difference to regional communities
- A historic investment of $947 million in biosecurity protection and enforcement.
NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The Minns Government has delivered another key election commitment by ensuring farmers and the agricultural sector has a dedicated and independent Agriculture Commissioner to advise me and the Government on best options for matters such as land planning in regional NSW.

“Ms Stone’s extensive career across both the public and private sectors has made her a respected leader in agriculture and the Government is endorsing her for this role because she has a proven track record of resolving complex and contentious issues in areas such as land management reform.

“With 25 years of hands-on experience as a livestock farmer, she also understands the realities of rural life and the challenges faced by our farming communities.

“The appointment of a statutory Agricultural Commissioner marks an exciting new chapter for agriculture in NSW, and I look forward to working alongside Ms Stone to champion our farmers, protect valuable agricultural land, and build a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector.

Ms Alison Stone, endorsed to be the first statutory NSW Agriculture Commissioner said:

“Agriculture is the backbone of our state, and my role is to collaborate with government, landowners and industry leaders to drive tangible, on-the-ground outcomes and practices to ensure NSW has a strong and prosperous agriculture sector.”

“NSW’s primary industries sector is one of the most diverse in the country, with a wide range of agricultural commodities and farming systems. While this presents challenges, it also creates valuable opportunities for growth and innovation.

“One of my key priorities is helping government to protect and support our agricultural land, ensuring productivity remains on the government’s agenda alongside its priorities for renewable energy and housing.

“I am honoured to be endorsed by the NSW Government for the first statutory Agriculture Commissioner and to work alongside Minister Moriarty and the farming sector to build a more resilient and prosperous future.
MIL OSI News –
February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI: Diginex Limited Engages Lambert and SPRG to Drive Global Investor Relations and Shareholder Communications Program

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

HONG KONG, Feb. 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diginex Limited (“Diginex” or the “Company”), a Cayman Islands-based impact technology company specializing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, has engaged international investor relations specialists Lambert by LLYC (Lambert) and its partner—Hong Kong-based Strategic Public Relations Group Ltd. (SPRG)—to lead a global investor relations and financial communications initiative to help broaden Diginex’s shareholder base. This collaboration underscores Diginex’s commitment to enhancing its visibility and investor engagement across key global markets.

Working closely with Diginex’s leadership, Lambert and SPRG will execute an aggressive strategic investor relations program aimed at strengthening the Company’s presence within the global investment community. The initiative will emphasize how Diginex’s innovative, technology-driven solutions empower enterprises with comprehensive tools, empower enterprises with comprehensive tools to navigate the evolving and rapidly expanding sustainability landscape.

Diginex recently completed a $10.61 million initial public offering (IPO), including the full exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option. The successful IPO and subsequent healthy market reaction reflect growing investor confidence in sustainability compliance technology and Diginex’s mission to democratize sustainability through innovative technology, dramatically reducing the cost of compliance with their tailored suite of platforms.

Led by Lambert, the IR partnership will provide strategic guidance to Diginex, ensuring global investor outreach, enhanced shareholder engagement, and expanded visibility among institutional and retail investors.

“This is an exciting time for Diginex as we accelerate investor engagement across a broad and diverse range of investor pools globally, strengthening and diversifying the shareholder base while increasing investor and marketplace familiarity with our brand and products” said Miles Pelham, Chairman of Diginex Limited. “Our partnership with Lambert and SPRG strengthens our presence in key financial markets and reinforces our leadership in ESG and sustainability technology. We remain committed to driving innovation and helping enterprises achieve their sustainability goals, ultimately striving to leave the world in a better place.”

“With our successful public offering on the Nasdaq stock exchange, we look forward to working with Lambert and SPRG to speed-up and broaden our investor outreach,” said Mark Blick, Chief Executive Officer of Diginex Limited. “As demand for ESG solutions grows, we are focused on accelerating our global presence and delivering long-term value to our shareholders.”

About Diginex Limited

Diginex Limited is a Cayman Islands exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands in 2024, with subsidiaries located in Hong Kong, United Kingdom and United States of America. Diginex Limited conducts operations through its wholly owned subsidiary Diginex Solutions (HK) Limited, a Hong Kong corporation (“DSL”) and DSL is the sole owner of (i) Diginex Services Limited, a corporation formed in the United Kingdom and (ii) Diginex USA LLC, a limited liability company formed in the State of Delaware. DSL commenced operations in 2020, is headquartered in Hong Kong, and is a software company that empowers businesses and governments to streamline ESG, climate, and supply chain data collection and reporting. DSL is an impact technology business that helps organizations to address the some of the most pressing ESG, climate and sustainability issues, utilizing blockchain, machine learning and data analysis technology to lead change and increase transparency in corporate social responsibility and climate action.

Diginex’s products and services solutions enable companies to collect, evaluate and share sustainability data through easy-to-use software For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.diginex.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s filings with the SEC.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Diginex
Investor Relations
Email:ir@diginex.com

Jackson Lin
Lambert by LLYC
Phone: +1 (646) 717-4593
Email: jian.lin@llyc.global

The MIL Network –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: African Union, African Development Bank and partners to host high-level round table ahead of global nutrition summit

Source: African Development Bank Group

What: African Union High-Level Round Table – From Policy to Action: Towards a Common Position to Address Malnutrition in Africa

Who: The Kingdom of Lesotho, the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank’s African Leaders for Nutrition (ALN) and partners

When: 14 February 2025; 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM EAT

Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The African Union and African Leaders for Nutrition Champion, His Majesty King Letsie III of the Kingdom of Lesotho, in collaboration with the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank Group, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, and Nutrition International will host a high-level side event, on 14 February 2025, on the margins of the 38^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union Commission.

Coming just before the global Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit in Paris in March, the meeting will provide an opportunity for African leaders to review their progress in fighting malnutrition, share success stories, and adopt a united African position ahead of the Nutrition for Growth summit. It will also introduce a new continent-wide plan to reduce the incidence of anemia.

Discussions will focus on strengthening accountability mechanisms and scaling up nutrition financing through innovative financing mechanisms, including how to mobilize domestic resources and leverage public-private partnerships to secure sustainable nutrition investments.

As Africa’s population rapidly grows, investing in nutrition is not just a health priority but an economic imperative, given that the continent loses an estimated $153 billion annually due to the economic and productivity costs of malnutrition.

MIL OSI Economics –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cotton Statement on RFK Jr. Nomination

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
February 12, 2025

Cotton Statement on RFK Jr. Nomination

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today released the following statement about the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services:

“When I met with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I was pleased that he made several commitments to advance President Trump’s pro-life, free-market, common-sense agenda. He pledged that he will cut programs that waste taxpayer dollars on illegal migrants, abortions, DEI, and ‘research’ aimed at infringing on the rights of gun owners, while prioritizing Medicaid work requirements and respecting the widely used and scientifically based practices of Arkansas farmers. I also appreciate that Mr. Kennedy repeated most of these pledges during his confirmation hearings. I believe Mr. Kennedy will faithfully implement President Trump’s agenda and I will therefore support his nomination. I look forward to working with him once confirmed.”

MIL OSI USA News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Government meeting (2025, No. 4)

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

1. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 19 of the Law of the Russian Federation “On the Status of Judges in the Russian Federation” and Article 1 of the Federal Law “On Social Guarantees and Compensations for Military Personnel Serving in Military Formations of the Russian Federation Stationed in the Territories of the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as Persons Working in These Formations”

The bill is aimed at establishing a uniform level of social protection for judges of military courts stationed outside the territory of the Russian Federation.

2. On the draft federal law “On the creation of state information systems to combat offenses (crimes) committed using information and telecommunications technologies, and on amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation”

The bill is aimed at preventing, suppressing and increasing liability for illegal acts committed using information technologies.

3. On the draft federal law “On the ratification of the Protocol on Amendments to the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the facilitation of travel for citizens”

The bill aims to ratify the protocol signed in Moscow on August 21, 2024.

4. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Articles 2463 and 427 of Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation”

The bill is aimed at eliminating the constraints affecting the investment attractiveness of the preferential regime created in the Kuril Islands in accordance with Federal Law No. 50-FZ of March 9, 2022 “On Amendments to Part Two of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation”.

5. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Articles 247 and 2593 of Part One, Articles 689 and 700 of Part Two and Article 1137 of Part Three of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation”

The bill is aimed at amending parts one, two and three of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation in terms of displaying in the Unified State Register of Real Estate information on the existence of rights of third parties in relation to real estate objects that are not their owners.

6. On the allocation of budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia in 2025 from the reserve fund of the Government of the Russian Federation for the provision of one-time financial assistance in the form of a subsidy from the federal budget to the budget of the Kursk region

The draft order is aimed at improving the financial condition of agricultural producers in the Kursk region.

Moscow, February 12, 2025

The content of the press releases of the Department of Press Service and References is a presentation of materials submitted by federal executive bodies for discussion at a meeting of the Government of the Russian Federation.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 13, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to New Zealand Economics Forum

Source: New Zealand Government

Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone.
Thank you Matt for the introduction and can I acknowledge the presence of former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. It’s a pleasure to have you back in the country.
It’s also a pleasure to be here to speak at this event for the third year in a row.
The world is changing. Fast. Orthodoxies are being challenged. De-globalisation, tariffs, counter tariffs, artificial intelligence, conflict, cynicism about national institutions, extreme climatic events, increasing competition for food, energy, minerals and other resources.
Leaders around the world are being compelled to act more boldly than they have for several decades.
Where once countries could take for granted their position in the world, it is now unquestionable that we need to place ourselves in the driver’s seat for our national interests.
These issues are not just the concern of diplomats, leaders and elites.
People the world over are increasingly feeling the effects of declining living standards, soaring prices, unaffordable housing and incomes that are not keeping up.
Is it any wonder that there is a growing sense that the benefits of progress are not being evenly shared or that citizens are questioning the institutions and conventions they were raised to rely on?
It’s hard not to look back on the past few decades and see complacency.
Where once there was an assumption about the inevitability of economic growth – a given to be traded off against a host of other values – that stance now seems blissfully naïve.
From the United Kingdom, to the European Union, to China, to the United States, there is a growing realisation that growth must be fought for and that, even once achieved, can easily slide away.
We in New Zealand are not immune to these trends. In fact, we are at a moment of inflection.
After three years of struggle, many Kiwis feel poorer, less financially secure and less hopeful about their futures. The cost of living is a daily concern.
New Zealanders have been through the wringer. Where once there was triumphalism about our response to, and recovery, from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is now a realisation that we are still paying the economic price for the disruption it wreaked.
The aftershocks of extended lock-downs included a generational spike in inflation and the cost of living, extraordinary interest rate hikes, ongoing disruption to migration flows, massive increases in Government debt and a structural deficit in the government books.
These blows landed on an economy that had being showing cracks for decades.
New Zealand already faced longstanding issues of low productivity growth, low capital intensity in our firms, low levels of competition in many sectors, challenges in attracting and retaining skills and talent, low uptake of innovation, declining housing affordability and a growing tail of New Zealanders leaving school without basic skills. Today, as Kiwis suffer the real-life effects of economic problems, it’s become even more urgent that we address these complex challenges.
For the economists in this room these observations about our economic problems can be understood as data points.
For many Kiwis, it is more personal, more visceral and far harder to stomach. The cost of living is too high and they need to see a path out.
Despite falling inflation and interest rates and rising business and consumer confidence, many New Zealanders tell me they still can’t get on top of their bills – even though they’re working harder than ever, that they are worried about whether they’ve saved enough for their retirement, and are concerned about their kids’ prospects should they stay in New Zealand.
My message to those New Zealanders is this: it’s tough right now, but our country has far better years ahead of it.
It’s easy to lose sight of the reasons to be optimistic, but let’s be confident about how great New Zealand’s potential is.
In a world facing multiple challenges, we have some extraordinary advantages. We’re a safe, secure country with established trading relationships and a reputation as a good place to do business. We are blessed with abundant natural resources – everything from ocean to freshwater, fertile land to minerals and temperate weather.
In a world worried about food security, we have the world’s best farmers, feeding more than 40 million people with levels of efficiency and sustainability that are the envy of the world. We have a long history of stable democracy, strong institutions and rule of law. We’ve produced world-leading scientific breakthroughs from splitting the atom to the Hamilton Jet Boat. Our entrepreneurs and innovators have converted their ideas into world-beating successes – from Oscar-winning digital effects to rockets in space.
New Zealand has what it takes to succeed, but for too long we’ve put up stop signs and road cones when we should have been putting our pedal to the metal.
Our Government’s mission is to make the most of New Zealand’s potential so we can grow the economy and ease the cost of living for New Zealanders.
Our plan is simple: remove the barriers that have held back growth and create the conditions that will allow businesses to create better paying jobs, more financial security for our families, and more income to pay for world-class education and health services.
Today I am releasing a document that shows how our Government is putting that plan into action. “Going for Growth” is a snapshot of the Government’s activity in five key areas, all designed to ease the cost of living and grow our economy.
The document identifies more than 80 separate initiatives that have been completed or are underway. Don’t worry, I’m not about to list them all.
But I do encourage you to give it a read. Going for Growth will be updated on a regular basis and we are actively seeking your feedback on its content and any actions you think should be added or prioritized.
The document focusses on five areas which are essential to improving the performance of the New Zealand economy.

Developing talent by lifting education and skills: Too many of our kids have been leaving school without the basics they need to succeed in an increasingly demanding world. This is a moral failure. It’s also a fiscal and economic timebomb. Our Government is improving our education system to deliver a better deal for Kiwi kids.
Competitive business settings: Excessive and badly-designed regulations have slowed New Zealand down, added costs and prevented too many good ideas from become reality. Several of our major sectors lack competition and consumers are paying the price. Our Government is removing red tape, reducing compliance costs and promoting competition to deliver a better deal for Kiwi consumers.
Promoting global trade and investment: New Zealand is a small country, geographically distant from many of the world’s large economies. We need to keep pursuing trade relationships and international connections not only to get good prices for our exports, but also to keep up with emerging technologies and to access the world’s talent and capital. Our Government is growing our trade relationships and rolling out the welcome mat for international investment so we can deliver better paying jobs for Kiwis.
Innovation, technology and science: New Zealand’s science system is not geared up for the future economy. Our businesses have often been slow to invest in the technology needed to make them more productive. We’re modernizing our science and innovation system so we can deliver a better deal for Kiwi businesses who want to use science and tech to grow.
Infrastructure for growth: New Zealand’s Resource Management system has been weaponised against development, adding cost, slowing things down and stopping too many projects. Despite abundant land, housing remains unaffordable for too many. Major infrastructure projects are too slow, too expensive and too few. Our Government is removing roadblocks to delivery of housing and infrastructure and fast-tracking major developments so we can deliver better living standards for New Zealanders.

Some of you will be familiar with the work we already have underway in each of these areas. Today I want to share some thoughts about a few areas where I think more reform is needed.
Number One. Driving greater competition in sectors that are vital to our national interests, including banking, grocery and electricity.
The economic impetus for this is clear. Strong competition protects consumer interests, it puts downward pressure on costs, it incentivises innovation and investment, it supports efficient allocation of resources and it drives productivity.
When I look around the business landscape today I see too many sectors where market power has been entrenched to the detriment of everyday people.
New Zealand has seen significant mergers and consolidation across major industries. Big fish have been swallowing the little fish and regulatory barriers have stopped new fish from entering the pond.
While many super-sized businesses have flourished, in too many cases the Kiwis they sell to have experienced higher prices, fewer choices and a worse deal all round.
In my view, law-makers and regulators have been far too complacent about diminishing levels of competition in vital areas. Large-scale mergers have been repeatedly allowed in major industries, with so-called efficiency prioritised over the interests of consumers.
Well-intended regulations have become a moat, stopping challengers from disrupting the status quo.
The result? A raw deal for Kiwi consumers.
The dominance of big fish has also made it difficult for many small businesses to grow into larger businesses.
We see it in the banking industry which the Commerce Commission has described as a highly profitable, two-tier oligopoly. The Government is taking action to address this.
And we see it in the supermarket sector in which three large entities, two of whom don’t compete in the same island, effectively control 82 per cent of the market.
The result, as the Commerce Commission reported in 2022, is that competition between grocery retailers is muted, profits are high, product ranges are limited and shoppers pay higher prices than people in many other countries.
In this environment it is almost impossible for a new entrant to establish a foothold in the New Zealand market.
Even if they are able to battle their way through the thicket of resource management and overseas investment regulation, they are confronted in many cases by an absence of suitable land for new supermarket developments. It has been land-banked by the established players.
Some of our best food producers also tell me they are struggling because of the duopolistic practices of the major players.
If Kiwi food producers can’t afford to keep their products on New Zealand supermarket shelves, how are they ever going to grow to the point where they can export overseas?
The supermarket lobby will find 1000 different ways to say this is not the case, but it is.
The OECD has this to say about the New Zealand supermarket sector:
“Two major players dominate the market through their portfolio of different brands. As a result, they can extract higher prices from consumers (oligopoly power) but also exert ‘oligopsony power’ on their suppliers, passing on costs and uncertainty to them, with the threat of removing products from shelves if suppliers disagree”
Studies have shown that New Zealand supermarkets were the most expensive for kitchen staples compared with the UK, Ireland and Australia.
If you doubt the findings of the OECD, research papers, or the Commerce Commission, just ask the everyday Mums and Dads at the checkout:
Kiwi shoppers feel ripped-off.
I think of PK, the Kiwi man who went viral on Tik Tok, sharing how he cried when he discovered how much cheaper the food was when he moved to Australia. I think of the parents in the supermarket aisle, putting back the chocolate biscuits as the weekly shop blows their budget – again. And I think of all those people who endure gut-wrenching anxiety as they watch their items being scanned and the numbers tallying up on the till.
The weekly supermarket shop makes up a significant proportion of most people’s weekly budget and contributes massively to their cost of living.
They deserve to know they are getting a fair deal.
Right now, I don’t think they are. I’m ready to pull out all the stops to get them a fairer deal.
The supermarkets will fight back I’m sure. It’s a fight worth having.
So what can the Government do?
Let me reassure you, we are not going to open our own grocery chain. There will be no KiwiShop.
Instead I’d like to see another competitor enter the supermarket scene to disrupt the major players, drive down prices and increase options for Kiwi shoppers.
Over the past 12 months, international supermarket chains and local investors have expressed interest in entering the New Zealand grocery market.
I want to help them succeed.
We owe it to Kiwi shoppers to help remove the barriers that could get in the way of a new entrant.
That could include removing unnecessary regulatory hurdles in the Overseas Investment Act, Resource Management Act and the entire regulatory maze; helping them to access suitable land and properties for development; helping them to attract capital; cracking down on predatory pricing and ensuring they have fair access to products.
If a new grocery chain opened up here it would deliver massive gains for Kiwi shoppers. So I’m up for actions needed to help make it happen.
At the same time, the Government must continue our efforts to hold the existing supermarket chains accountable to their customers and suppliers.
That means enhancing consumer protections and correcting power imbalances between suppliers and supermarkets. It means strengthening the Grocery Supply Code, enforcing action against non-compliance and illegal conduct, introducing a Wholesale Code to enhance access for smaller retailers, introducing disclosure standards for consumer complaints and responding to further recommendations the Commerce Commission makes.
Commerce Minister Andrew Bayly has already been pushing hard in this space. This year we’re dialling up the pressure.
The major supermarket chains should listen up: our Government is on the side of Kiwi shoppers and we will act to defend their interests.
Number two: The Government’s approach to procurement.
The Government is a huge player in the New Zealand economy. Every year it procures billions of dollars worth of goods and services.
Those doing the procuring understandably play close attention to prices. That is as it should be. We want value for money.
But getting value is not just about cost. Getting value is also about assessing the contribution particular contracts can make to New Zealand as a whole.
The Government wants the Government agencies doing the procuring to assess the value as well as the cost of contracts.
Small and medium-sized businesses say that too often they can’t effectively bid for Government contracts because of the complexity of official procurement processes.
I am reviewing the Government procurement rules that cause this and will soon be recommending changes to Cabinet. I want to ensure value to New Zealand is properly considered when government agencies are picking suppliers, ensuring a more level playing field, improving the ability of smaller businesses to bid and giving more small and medium sized Kiwi businesses the opportunity to grow and become global players.
Third, tax settings.
New Zealand must ensure our tax settings are competitive with other countries who seek to lure our talent, ideas and jobs.
We need to ensure the New Zealand tax system does not discourage businesspeople from investing in their businesses and does not deter foreign investment.
I am considering a range of proposals to make our tax settings more competitive over time.
Fourth, affordable energy.
Alongside the supermarket bill, electricity prices are a major pain point for Kiwi households. Spiking prices and uncertain supply are also a major barrier to industry and the jobs it supports.
As we look out to the world, it’s clear that those choosing to invest in manufacturing, data centers and technological parks will increasingly ask themselves: does the country that we want to invest in have secure, affordable and renewable energy?
New Zealand is pretty well-positioned for that. We already have abundant levels of renewable energy.
The question is, are we well positioned to bring on new generation at the pace needed to keep both security of supply and affordability?
That’s a question the Government is very much engaged in.
The Energy Competition Task Force has published proposals to give consumers more control over energy costs. In addition, independent reviewers will report to Ministers in the middle of the year on the performance of the energy market.
My view is that the world’s surging demand for renewable energy has changed the game. It’s time to think much more boldly about the actions the Government may need to take to incentivise new generation, security of supply and affordable electricity.
Fifth, savings.
Finally, I want to see KiwiSaver working as well as possible for New Zealanders. Commerce Minister Andrew Bayly already has work underway to enable Kiwisaver providers to make greater investments in private assets, to generate good returns for savers and ensure more Kiwi savings can be deployed for investment here at home.
I want to see KiwiSaver balances grow, both to make Kiwis better off in retirement and to grow our collective national savings. I am taking advice on options for achieving that with a view to taking recommendations to Cabinet.
Let me finish by providing you with some perspective.
Our domestic context is challenging. Internationally we are arguably operating in a more complex, faster changing world than at any time in history.
But, when I look around the world, there is nowhere I would rather build a business or raise a family than here in New Zealand.
But the world doesn’t owe us a living. We have to compete hard to deliver for our national interests and the interests of New Zealanders.
Our Government’s plan to grow the economy is about making the most of New Zealand’s many advantages, removing barriers that are holding Kiwis back and competing for our share of the world’s wealth.
This is not an abstract mission. It goes to the heart of what matters to New Zealanders.
To create better paying jobs and make Kiwis more financially secure, we must grow our economy.
To deliver better health services and schools, we must grow our economy.
To make New Zealand more resilient to global challenges, we must grow our economy.
This Government backs New Zealanders to succeed. I know you do too. I wish you a successful conference and look forward to hearing your ideas. Let’s go for growth.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

February 13, 2025

Category: Agriculture

Nationwide Special Campaign To Register on National Fisheries Digital Platform to be Organized from 14th to 22nd February 2025Fishers, Fish farmers & Eligible Stakeholders Appealed to Register; Avail Benefits Under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana

February 13, 2025

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Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Angela Rayner said:

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Nationwide Special Campaign To Register on National Fisheries Digital Platform to be Organized from 14th to 22nd February 2025

Fishers, Fish farmers & Eligible Stakeholders Appealed to Register; Avail Benefits Under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana