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Category: Agriculture

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why do people breach their bail? Our research shows it’s not because they’re committing more crimes

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natalie Gately, Associate Professor, Edith Cowan University

    Shutterstock

    In Australia and most countries, everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Because of this, keeping someone in detention before trial comes with serious legal, practical and human-rights consequences, not just for the person accused but also for their family and for society.

    That’s why most people accused of a crime are usually released on bail.

    Bail is essentially a written promise where a person is released, on the agreement they return to court on a set date. It can also be granted to those who have been found or pleaded guilty while they wait for sentencing.

    Bail allows the accused to keep their job, maintain their home, and support their family, while eliminating the costs of imprisonment.

    However, bail comes with conditions that the person must follow, including curfews, regular check-ins, restrictions on whom they can talk to or where they can go, drug or alcohol testing, and staying at a specific address.

    These conditions may seem easy to understand and follow, but breaches of orders were the third most common offence in Australian courts in 2022 and 2023. They made up 10% of adult court appearances, using valuable time and resources.

    There’s a widespread belief that people on bail who breach their conditions commit more crimes – sometimes violent ones – that put others at risk and threaten public safety. This has fuelled demands for stricter bail laws or to stop granting bail altogether.

    Many also think that when someone breaches their bail conditions, it’s because they’re deliberately defying or ignoring the rules. With this in mind, we wanted to look deeper.

    We spoke to 230 police detainees about what led to their bail breaches. The results were surprising: very few (just 11%) breached by committing new offences.

    Instead, most explained their breaches happened because of things beyond their control.

    Homelessness

    A fixed residential address is a fundamental condition for getting bail.

    However, many of our participants shared that becoming homeless or returning to homelessness was common for them. Some said they left the address they provided because of family tensions:

    I’m meant to stay at my sister’s house under my bail conditions, it’s for my curfew […] she kicked me out because we had an argument. Now I’ve breached my conditions and have nowhere to go.

    It’s well known that chronic homelessness makes it tough to comply with bail conditions, and we found the same. A detainee told us:

    It was an honest mistake and a mix-up of the days.

    Another said:

    I was homeless at the time I was meant to go to court and dealing with a lot.

    A third person told us:

    I’m homeless and I’ve got bigger issues than going to court. I’m living in a tent in the park at the moment with no job.

    The mental stress meant people focused on meeting basic needs such as food and shelter, which took priority over following bail conditions.

    Family responsibilities

    Participants also shared their personal responsibilities of caring for sick children, parents or other dependants. This often prevented them from attending court or reporting. One person told us:

    I’m my nan’s carer […] I needed to look after her and my brother wasn’t there. I couldn’t go to court or make it. I’m the one who washes her and does everything for her […]

    Family commitments clashing with reporting requirements led to feelings that the system was stacked against them and they had few options but to breach.

    Work commitments

    Employment often interfered with reporting on time and attending court.

    I have to report Monday, Wednesday and Friday but I’m a truck driver. I have no problems with coming in to report, but I couldn’t make it because I was working. When I went in to report, they arrested me […]

    Keeping a job is crucial for financial and housing stability. Having a stable job also deepens community connections to reduce the chances of getting involved in criminal activity.

    Procedural barriers

    When these kinds of everyday issues derailed compliance, many said they had tried to let the court, police or their lawyer know, either before or right after they missed reporting in or a court date but were faced with an inflexible system.

    For some, even when they did manage to get through, they were told that by not reporting or attending court they had already breached their bail and a warrant would be issued for their arrest. A study participant told us:

    I told them (the police) that I’d been kicked out (of the nominated accommodation) and wasn’t there and they locked me up here. I’ve got an extra charge now because I breached bail and probably won’t get let back out tomorrow. It wasn’t in my control. I was meant to be doing my medical to start work on the mines too tomorrow, so I won’t be working there now.

    We recommend considering of the complexities of bailees’ lives when setting bail. More flexible reporting conditions for when “life happens” will reduce charge pile ups and pressures on the criminal justice.

    Natalie Gately received funding from Western Australian Office of Crime Statistics and Research for this project.

    Suzanne Rock received funding from Western Australian Office of Crime Statistics and Research for this project.

    – ref. Why do people breach their bail? Our research shows it’s not because they’re committing more crimes – https://theconversation.com/why-do-people-breach-their-bail-our-research-shows-its-not-because-theyre-committing-more-crimes-239198

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim Urges Support for Wildfire Technologies, Fix Our Forests Act 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) spoke on the House floor in favor of the Fix our Forests Act (H.R. 8790). 

    This package includes the Wildfire Technology Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization (DEMO) Act (H.R. 4235), a bipartisan bill led by Rep. Kim that aims to expand access to emerging technologies for first responders to combat wildfires.  

    The Wildfire Technology DEMO Act allows private entities to partner with federal land management agencies to test wildfire technologies alongside ongoing hazardous fuels mitigation activities and training. The 7-year pilot program would be developed jointly by the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior.  

    Watch her floor speech here and read her remarks below.  

    Thank you, Chairman Westerman, for yielding. I rise in strong support of H.R. 8790 – The Fix Our Forests Act. 

    The fear facing many of my constituents during California’s peak wildfire season, especially in the canyon communities close to the Cleveland National Forest, became a reality in recent weeks as multiple wildfires burn simultaneously in Southern California, including the Airport Fire in my district. 

    The Airport Fire has burned over 23,500 acres and counting in Orange and Riverside Counties.  

    I am grateful to the first responders who are working day and night to keep our community safe.  

    Times like these also show us that first responders need all tools available to protect our communities and respond to the ever-changing threat that wildfires pose. 

    The Fix Our Forests Act includes legislation I introduced called the Wildfire Technology Demonstration, Evaluation, Modernization, and Optimization, or DEMO, Act, that would address this need. 

    I introduced the DEMO Act after hearing from firefighting agencies and companies developing innovative technologies.  

    This bipartisan legislation aims to deploy more emerging technologies to fight wildfires by allowing private entities to partner with federal land management agencies to test wildfire technologies in a 7-year pilot program.   

    This is a win-win for private entities looking to test their technologies at-scale and federal land management agencies working to deploy emerging technologies to help combat wildfires.   

    I would like to thank my friend Representative Crow for his partnership on the DEMO Act, as well as Chairman Westerman and Representative Peters for including my legislation in this important and timely bill to keep our communities and forests safe from wildfires.  

    I urge my colleagues to vote YES on H.R. 8790. Thank you, and I yield back. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Celebrating completion of a major flood recovery project

    Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council

    “The forecast was for around 300mm of rain in 24hrs, and what we ended up getting was 500mm of rain over 48hrs, spread everywhere from Waimakariri to Mackenzie.”

    The extreme rainfall caused widespread flooding and prompted a region-wide state of emergency. The floods caused extensive damage to homes and businesses, as well as critical infrastructure including stopbanks, riverbanks, and flood protection vegetation.

    “Initially we focused on damage reconnaissance, identifying damaged infrastructure across the region so we could prioritise and design repairs for each site,” Shaun said.

    “While our scope was to restore the resilience that existed before, on some sites we were able to mitigate the increasing challenges posed by climate change. This includes the room for rivers concept, which reduces pressure on flood protection assets and provides for a healthier waterway.”

    Project execution and achievements

    The project focused on more than 400 individual repair jobs across the region, including repairs to more than 5kms of stopbanks and planting more than 60,000 native and exotic trees.

    “In many cases, we were using existing vegetation that was still standing or that had washed out in the flood. We were able to drag it back in while it was still alive and replant it, turning a liability into an asset.

    “The other big part of work was erosion and scour protection. In some of the more constrained areas, such as through Geraldine township, we used rock protection to protect riverbanks from erosion.”

    While the project is complete, some sites remain vulnerable and continue to be monitored closely particularly while new vegetation becomes established. Recent flood events have tested these areas, providing valuable information for ongoing improvements.

    Community impact and future preparedness

    Councillor Ian Mackenzie, lead for Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards, said completion of the project marks a significant milestone in building future resilience for the safety of our communities.

    “This achievement not only protects our residents but also ensures the long-term sustainability of our infrastructure. We’re proud of the collaborative effort that has gone into this project and remain committed to serving our communities by continually improving our preparedness for environmental challenges.”

    Mark Faichnie, area supervisor – central, worked on the project from emergency response flood patrol to the reinstating of damaged sites across Ashburton. “It was an amazing sense of achievement, to have delivered all that work. I hope it provides landowners and farmers some security and reassurance.”

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) co-funded approximately $8.3 million of the total cost of $22.6 million, through a one-off emergency fund.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Dairy Sector – Fonterra announces lift in Farmgate Milk Price and FY25 earnings guidance

    Source: Fonterra

    Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today announced a 50 cent lift in its 2024/25 forecast Farmgate Milk Price midpoint to $9.00 per kgMS and FY25 earnings guidance of 40-60 cents per share.  

    CEO Miles Hurrell says the lift in this season’s forecast Farmgate Milk Price follows further recent strengthening in Global Dairy Trade prices and constrained milk supply in key producing regions.  

    “I’m pleased to be announcing an increase in this season’s forecast Farmgate Milk Price, which I’m sure will be welcome news for farmers, particularly when combined with the 55 cent total dividend for FY24 also announced by the Co-op today,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    Fonterra’s new forecast Farmgate Milk Price range for the 2024/25 season is $8.25-$9.75 per kgMS, with the Co-op continuing to maintain the wide range due to the relatively early stage of the season.  

    “We’ve also announced today our forecast earnings for FY25 of 40-60 cents per share,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    “The forecast earnings range reflects an expectation we will maintain strong margins in all three of our sales channels, while also investing in the Co-op’s IT & digital transformation and incurring higher tax expenses,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    Fonterra advises that, after several years of strong earnings performance, the Co-op exhausted its tax losses in FY24 and will now be paying tax.  

    Chief Financial Officer Andrew Murray says that “as a result of this change, when we declare a dividend from FY25 and beyond, imputation credits will now be available to be attached to our dividend.  

    “To enable all shareholders to receive the imputation credits, we are changing how we treat supply backed shares for tax purposes which means that more tax will be paid by Fonterra.

    “While this does not impact the operating performance of Fonterra, it will reduce our reported earnings per share in future years, as Fonterra will have paid the tax on the cash to be distributed,” says Mr Murray.

    About Fonterra 

    Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together. 

    Non-GAAP financial information  

    Fonterra uses several non-GAAP measures when discussing financial performance. Non-GAAP measures are not defined or specified by NZ IFRS.    

    Management believes that these measures provide useful information as they provide valuable insight on the underlying performance of the business. They may be used internally to evaluate the underlying performance of business units and to analyse trends. These measures are not uniformly defined or utilised by all companies. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed in isolation nor considered as a substitute for measures reported in accordance with NZ IFRS.  

    Non-GAAP measures are not subject to audit unless they are included in Fonterra’s audited annual financial statements.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Greenpeace Statement – Fonterra profits at the expense of the rainforest

    Source: Greenpeace

    Greenpeace Aotearoa is calling out Fonterra for ‘profiting from rainforest destruction’. The organisation says that the massive profits announced today by Fonterra come off the back of years of reliance on palm kernel expeller as a supplementary feed for Fonterra’s oversized dairy herd.
    Greenpeace spokesperson Sinéad Deighton-O’Flynn says “Fonterra’s massive profits today are nothing to be proud of when they come at the immeasurable cost of rainforests in Southeast Asia.
    “Fonterra has been relying on rainforest-destroying palm kernel to feed the bloated dairy herd, because there are simply too many cows, and not enough grass to feed them.”
    Palm kernel, or palm kernel expeller (PKE), is a product of the palm industry, and comes from the same plantations as palm oil. Globally, more than 300 football fields are cleared every hour in order to make space for palm industry expansion. Deforestation for the palm industry is the main cause of population decline of the Bornean orangutan, which has dropped by more than 50% in the last ten years.
    “Fonterra should be ashamed that despite the results reported today, they continue to contribute to the deforestation, worker exploitation and the destruction of rare wildlife habitats that come at the hands of the palm industry,” says Deighton-O’Flynn.
    New Zealand is the biggest importer of palm kernel globally, importing almost 2 million tonnes every year. Agrifeeds, which sells its palm kernel exclusively in Fonterra’s Farm Source stores, is the country’s biggest importer, making Fonterra the biggest corporate consumer of palm kernel in New Zealand.
    “Fonterra must make the switch to more plant based, ecological agricultural practices, and that includes ending their use of palm kernel and reducing the dairy herd size.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business Results – Fonterra continues momentum in FY24, announces special dividend

    Source: Fonterra 

    Profit after tax: NZ $1,168 million
    Continuing operations EBIT*: NZ $1,560 million
    Continuing operations earnings* per share: 70 cents per share
    Return on capital: 11.3%
    Total dividend: 55 cents per share, comprising:

    • 15 cent interim and 25 cent final dividend 
    • 15 cent special dividend
    • Full year milk collections: 1,471 million kgMS  
    • Final 2023/24 season Farmgate Milk Price: NZ$7.83 per kgMS.

    Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has today reported strong FY24 full year financial results, including a final 2023/24 season Farmgate Milk Price of $7.83 per kgMS and a total dividend of 55 cents per share.

    CEO Miles Hurrell says the payout reflects both Fonterra’s continued strong earnings performance and the long-term resilience of the Co-op.  

    “We’ve maintained the positive momentum seen in FY23 and delivered earnings at the top end of our forecast range.

    “Our total dividend of 55 cents per share is the second largest since Fonterra was formed. It includes a 15 cent interim dividend and a 25 cent final dividend driven by strong FY24 earnings.  

    “In addition, our capital management efficiency and ongoing balance sheet strength have enabled us to return an extra 15 cents per share to farmer shareholders and unit holders through a special dividend.  

    “The final Farmgate Milk Price for the 2023/24 season finished at $7.83 per kgMS. This, combined with the 55 cents per share dividend, provides a total cash payout to a fully shared up farmer of $8.38 per kgMS.

    “Our Co-op is in good shape, and I’m pleased to have delivered another year of solid returns to farmer shareholders and unit holders.  

    “Looking ahead, we’re well placed to consider the next phase of our strategy to grow long-term value for the Co-op,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    Business performance  

    The Co-op reported a return on capital for FY24 of 11.3%, above the target range for FY24.  

    Earnings (EBIT) from continuing operations were $1,560 million and continue to be well above previous years, albeit down on FY23 which benefited from elevated price relativities.  

    Fonterra’s profit after tax from continuing operations was $1,168 million, equivalent to 70 cents per share.

    “Our FY24 earnings were driven by higher margins and increased sales volumes in our Foodservice and Consumer channels. Our Ingredients channel also continued to deliver strong returns, although down when compared to the record result seen in FY23,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    Sales volumes from continuing operations were down 1% to 3,470 kMT and gross margins were maintained at 17%.  

    “We remain focused on making progress against our two efficiency metrics while also investing in the areas that will improve long-term performance and the resilience of the Co-op.

    “Our core operations manufacturing costs per kgMS reduced year-on-year by 2% to $2.58 per kgMS, reflecting both operational improvements and improved input costs.  

    “Across the year we also achieved savings in our operating expenses which largely offset the impacts of inflation. However, our cash operating expenses per kgMS are up mainly due to our investment in IT and digital transformation projects.

    “Our balance sheet position remains strong, providing optionality and flexibility for the future and resilience against volatility.

    “We have net debt of $2.6 billion, $600 million lower than last year, due to strong underlying operating performance.  

    Our gearing ratio of 24% reflects our lower net debt position and higher equity from strong earnings,” says Mr Hurrell.

    Co-op strategy  

    This year, Fonterra completed a strategic review that reinforced the role of its Foodservice and Ingredients channels and confirmed its strengths in partnering with customers to produce world-class, innovative dairy.    

    As a result of this work, in May the Co-op announced that it is exploring divestment options for its global Consumer business, as well as Fonterra Oceania and Sri Lanka.

    “Over the last few months, we have appointed advisors to assist with assessing divestment options for our Consumer businesses and this work is ongoing,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    “As we can see from today’s result, the businesses in scope for potential divestment are performing well. We remain committed to a pathway that would maximise value of these businesses for our farmer shareholders and unit holders.  

    “Alongside this, we have revised our strategy to have a sharper focus on the Co-op’s strengths and where we can best create value.

    “We will be sharing this revised strategy, as well as the outcomes shareholders and unit holders can expect from the Co-op, next week,” says Mr Hurrell.  

    *Excludes earnings from discontinued operations. In FY24 discontinued operations were DPA Brazil and in FY23 discontinued operations were DPA Brazil, Soprole and China Farms.

    About Fonterra  

    Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by thousands of farming families across Aotearoa New Zealand. Through the spirit of co-operation and a can-do attitude, Fonterra’s farmers and employees share the goodness of our milk through innovative consumer, foodservice and ingredients brands. Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to leaving things in a better way than we found them. We are passionate about supporting our communities by Doing Good Together. 

    If you no longer wish to receive media releases from Fonterra, please click here to opt out.

    Non-GAAP financial information  

    Fonterra uses several non-GAAP measures when discussing financial performance. Non-GAAP measures are not defined or specified by NZ IFRS.    

    Management believes that these measures provide useful information as they provide valuable insight on the underlying performance of the business. They may be used internally to evaluate the underlying performance of business units and to analyse trends. These measures are not uniformly defined or utilised by all companies. Accordingly, these measures may not be comparable with similarly titled measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be viewed in isolation nor considered as a substitute for measures reported in accordance with NZ IFRS.  

    Non-GAAP measures are not subject to audit unless they are included in Fonterra’s audited annual financial statements.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Celebrates 10 years of Farm and Food Awareness Week with Support to Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    This year’s theme is ‘Sustainable Agriculture: Feeding the Future’

    September 13, 2024 – Winnipeg, Manitoba – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    The governments of Canada and Manitoba are encouraging all Manitobans to learn more about the important role that agriculture producers play in ensuring that our agri-food system remains diverse, safe and sustainable by attending at least one of the many events around the province celebrating the 10th annual Farm and Food Awareness Week, September 16th-20th, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today.

    To support K-12 teachers and students in learning about the importance of agriculture in Manitoba, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable-CAP), the governments of Canada and Manitoba have provided $400,000 to Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba. Funding will be used for the Amazing Agriculture Adventure Program, which helps students and teachers learn about Manitoba agriculture, eating local, and opportunities in Manitoba’s agriculture sector.

    As a part of the celebrations minister Kostyshyn has proclaimed Wednesday, September 18 as Local Veggie Day to celebrate Manitoba vegetable farmers, local vegetables and initiatives across the province that nourish and support families and communities.

    This year’s events include:

    • The launch event, Discover Agriculture on the Farm, is a family friendly event at the Bruce D. Campbell Farm and Food Discovery Centre on Sunday, September 15 where urban and rural communities can come together to discover where our food comes from.
    • Manitoba Agriculture has also launched the ‘selfie challenge’ on X (formerly known as Twitter) to highlight the diversity of the province’s agri-food industry. Manitobans are encouraged to follow @MBGovAg and share their passion for the industry by posting photographs of themselves at farms or enjoying meals made with Manitoba foods, accompanied by #FacesofMBAg and #FarmFoodAwarenessWeek.
    • In conjunction with Farm and Food Awareness Week, Manitoba’s Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) program, has launched a video to demonstrate Manitoba producers’ ongoing commitment to sustainability.

    The Sustainable CAP is a 5-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

    Quotes

    “Farm and Food Awareness Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the vital contributions our farming communities make. This funding for Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba will help students right across Manitoba learn more about how their food is produced and grow their passion for agriculture.”

    – The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

    “Manitoba’s farmers and producers play a critical role in feeding our province and the world, and growing our economy. Celebrating and learning about the many people who ensure our food goes from farm to table in the safest, most efficient and sustainable way possible is an important way for agricultural producers get the recognition they deserve.”

    – Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture

    “We are incredibly grateful to the governments of Canada and Manitoba for their visionary support, which has been vital to the success and growth of Agriculture in the Classroom-Manitoba. This partnership not only demonstrates the province’s confidence in our mission but also highlights the government’s strong commitment to the future of agriculture. By investing in our programs and resources, the Manitoba government is ensuring that our students and educators, especially in rural, remote, Francophone and Indigenous communities, have the tools they need to understand and engage with our province’s vibrant agri-food sector. Together, we are laying the groundwork for a thriving agricultural industry supported by future generations of informed and inspired Manitobans.”

    – Katharine Cherewyk, Executive Director, Agriculture in the Classroom Manitoba

    Quick facts

    • Over 48% of Manitoba farms have participated in the EFP since the program began and remains the primary tool to guide Manitoba producers in best practices ensuring sustainability on the farm.

    • Nearly 40,000 Manitobans work in the agricultural industry, contributing significantly to Manitoba’s economy.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Annie Cullinan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    annie.cullinan@agr.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    Ottawa, Ontario
    613-773-7972
    1-866-345-7972
    aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
    Web: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Manitoba media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.

    Manitoba media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference, Toowoomba

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    JIM CHALMERS:

    Thanks for coming here to Toowoomba. I want to say a few things about the interest rate decision today but I’m conscious that the Reserve Bank Governor is up very shortly in Sydney so I’ll be relatively brief.

    The Reserve Bank board today agreed to leave interest rates on hold. There are no surprises in this decision and no surprises in the statement released by the board. This was the expected outcome.

    When the board next meets it will be a year since interest rates went up.

    Interest rates haven’t gone up for the best part of a year, and this reflects the progress that we’ve made when it comes to getting inflation down. When we came to office inflation was 6.1 per cent. It’s now half of its peak a couple of years ago. Our policies are helping in the fight against inflation.

    When we came to office inflation was high and rising and interest rates were rising. Inflation has been coming down quite substantially over the course of the last couple of years and we haven’t had an interest rate rise for the best part of a year now.

    The Governor and the Reserve Bank board have noted today the very substantial progress that Australia has made when it comes to getting on top of this inflation challenge. When it comes to the Reserve Bank and the government, we have the same objective of getting on top of inflation without ignoring the risks to growth in our economy.

    We’ve seen growth in our economy has been quite weak. We’ve seen consumption has been weak. Discretionary spending has been going backwards. All of this indicates that rate rises already in the system are combining with international uncertainty and persistent inflation to slow our economy quite substantially, and we saw that in the most recent National Accounts. The government remains primarily focused on the fight against inflation, but is not ignoring those risks to growth at the same time.

    We have the same objective as the Reserve Bank when it comes to the fight against inflation. We’ve made welcome and encouraging progress, and we’ll learn more about that tomorrow when the monthly inflation data is released. Whether that monthly inflation data is in the low 3s or the high 2s, it will show that inflation has halved since we came to office. That’s a good thing. We are making welcome and encouraging progress in the fight against inflation, and the fact that rates haven’t gone up for the best part of a year now is an indicator of that.

    Happy to take a couple of questions.

    JOURNALIST:

    Treasurer, the RBA’s statement today talks about temporary migration propping up consumer spending, in particular, students. Are you worried that the government’s cap on students might stymie growth further?

    CHALMERS:

    Our changes to foreign students are all about recognising the huge contribution that education makes to our economy but making sure that we are managing that growth. What we’ve seen in the most recent net overseas migration numbers is that net overseas migration has come off since it peaked in 2023. It has been coming down since then. Some of the pressure that’s still there when it comes to net overseas migration is not about extra arrivals, it’s about fewer departures.

    We’ve got a sensible, methodical, considered way to manage net overseas migration down. It has started coming down. Our changes kicked in from the middle of this year and the data doesn’t yet capture that.

    When it comes to spending in the economy, the last National Accounts showed that consumption is very weak in our economy and discretionary spending has gone backwards quite substantially. That is an indication that the combination of global uncertainty, persistent inflation and higher interest rates are slowing our economy quite considerably.

    The fact that interest rates haven’t gone up for the best part of a year is an indication that we have been making welcome and encouraging progress in the fight against inflation. It’s still higher than we’d like, but it is definitely trending downwards, and we’ll learn more about that tomorrow.

    JOURNALIST:

    You’ve said they’re smashing the economy. So are you disappointed that they’re not coming down?

    CHALMERS:

    I don’t pre‑empt and I don’t second guess decisions taken by the independent Reserve Bank. I’ve made that very clear repeatedly.

    I’ve made a factual statement that the interest rate rises which are already in the system, combined with some of these other factors, are slowing our economy quite dramatically. We saw that in the most recent National Accounts. But these decisions are taken independently by the Reserve Bank.

    My efforts have been about trying to make the Bank more independent, not less independent. I respect and cherish its independence. They’ve taken this decision today, and the Governor will have an opportunity, a welcome opportunity, to talk about that very shortly this afternoon.

    JOURNALIST:

    Not everyone agrees that the Bank should be as independent as it is. Do you have a response?

    CHALMERS:

    On the Reserve Bank reforms, the Coalition and the Greens are indistinguishable when it comes to economic irresponsibility. We’ve seen that once again when it comes to their whacky behaviour in the Senate. The Coalition and the Greens are as one when it comes to doing the wrong thing about the independent Reserve Bank.

    Both the Coalition and the Greens, the way that they’ve teamed up in the Senate means that our efforts for the time being to reform the Reserve Bank, there is a barrier to that. We’ve been upfront about that. It’s been clear from the beginning that there is a risk that the parties to the left and to the right of us will play politics with the Reserve Bank. We don’t intend to do that. They have both dramatically changed their position to avoid doing the right thing when it comes to these Reserve Bank reforms.

    Whether it’s the Coalition or the Greens, they both made their views known. Where we could accommodate those views we did. They both dramatically changed their position to avoid doing the right thing when it comes to these Reserve Bank reforms.

    JOURNALIST:

    Treasurer, how close do you think you are to getting inflation down?

    CHALMERS:

    Inflation’s been coming down really quite considerably since its peak a couple of years ago. We shouldn’t forget that when we came to office inflation was 6.1 per cent and rising. It now in quarterly terms has a 3 in front of it and we’ll learn the new monthly figure tomorrow when we get the monthly data. The expectation there, whether it’s the high 2s or the low 3s, shows that inflation has halved since we came to office. That’s good progress, but we know that there’s still pressure on inflation and we know that people are still doing it tough.

    This is why our cost‑of‑living relief is so important. Our policies are helping, not hurting the fight against inflation. We’ve turned 2 big Liberal deficits into 2 big Labor surpluses. The Reserve Bank Governor has said that our surpluses are helping in the fight against inflation, and we’ve designed our cost‑of‑living relief to help take some of the edge off these price pressures in our economy rather than make them worse.

    There’s nothing artificial about helping people with their electricity bills or making early childhood education cheaper or medicines cheaper or a tax cut for every taxpayer or energy bill relief for every household, getting wages moving again.

    We’re doing all of this in the most responsible way we can. Our primary focus is on the fight against inflation, but we can’t ignore those risks to growth.

    I’ll take one more question, then we’re good.

    JOURNALIST:

    I just have a question about Woolies and Coles. Should they both sack their CEOs over this pricing saga?

    CHALMERS:

    I need to be careful not to pre‑empt the legal and other processes that have been put in train by the ACCC. But I will say this: Woolies and Coles shouldn’t be taking their customers for mugs.

    This is precisely why we’ve empowered the ACCC, why we want to make the grocery code mandatory, compulsory, not voluntary. It’s why we’re making sure that farmers and families get a fair go from the supermarkets.

    We don’t want to see ordinary Australians, families and pensioners, being taken for a ride by the big supermarkets. This is precisely why we’ve empowered the ACCC and why we’re taking other steps as well to make sure that farmers and families get a fair go when it comes to the supermarkets in this country.

    Thanks very much.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LaLota Passes Amendment to Combat Pine Beetle Infestation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Nick LaLota(R-Suffolk County) successfully passed his amendment to H.R. 8790, the Fix Our Forests Act, focusing on the devastation caused by the southern pine beetle in the Northeast, particularly within Long Island’s Pine Barrens. LaLota’s amendment directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on the causes, effects, and solutions for the infestation of pine beetles in the Northeastern United States, ensuring that the problem is addressed with targeted actions.

    “This tiny pest, no larger than a grain of rice, has wreaked havoc on over 5,000 acres of forest in my district alone, threatening our ecosystem and critical natural resources. The southern pine beetle infestation has put immense pressure on Long Island’s Pine Barrens, which serve as a vital habitat for wildlife and play a crucial role in protecting our water supply,” said LaLota. “My amendment is not just about studying a pest; it’s about taking proactive measures to protect our environment, safeguard the drinking water of millions, and ensure that our forests’ rich biodiversity and natural beauty remain intact for future generations. Without intervention, the consequences for our ecosystem and local economy could be severe so we must take action now.”

    LaLota spoke on the House floor ahead of the amendment’s passage, click HERE to watch.

    To read the full text of the amendment, click HERE.

    Background:

    The Pine Barrens, crucial for preserving clean drinking water and home to endangered species, have suffered significant damage from the pine beetle infestation. LaLota’s amendment will enable federal, state, and local officials to better understand and mitigate the pine beetle’s impact, fostering resilient forest ecosystems across the region.

    Along with this amendment, LaLota has fought to preserve the abundant natural environment Long Island is blessed with.

    Earlier this year, LaLota announced he had secured $40 million in federal funding for the Long Island Sound Program. This funding for the Sound is provided by the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill LaLota helped pass, which was signed into law in March.

    In January, LaLota testified at a Natural Resources Committee hearing in support of his Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act. The same month, LaLota testified at the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of including a reauthorization of the Long Island Sound Program in the biannual Water Resources Development Act.

    The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program through 2028. In 1985, Congress created the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) to identify and address the major environmental problems affecting the Long Island Sound. The LISS brings together the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York State, Connecticut, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to help restore and protect the Long Island Sound, including the watershed, which spans up towards New Hampshire and Vermont into Canada.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Nambucca River oyster leases upgraded

    Source: New South Wales Department of Primary Industries

    25 Sep 2024

    For the first time since 1983, Nambucca River oyster growers can harvest and directly sell their shellfish after the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) rezoned sections of the river.

    NSW DPIRD Shellfish Program manager, Anthony Zammit, said two out of three Nambucca River harvest zones now have direct harvest approval.

    “This means locally grown shellfish can be sold directly from the waterway,” Mr Zammit said.

    “We’ve worked with industry to deliver this positive outcome, which gives Nambucca region oyster farmers the confidence to bring their shellfish to market.

    “Growers are now providing quality local seafood for the community to enjoy, as the NSW oyster industry continue to deliver valuable results to the economy, regional employment and tourism.”

    The rezoning of leases along the Nambucca River was achieved thanks to a year-long project to improve water quality, led by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

    NSW EPA Executive Director of Operations, Jason Gordon, said the EPA had ramped up its work with Nambucca Valley Council over the past five years to prevent sewage overflows impacting the river.

    “Since 2019, we have placed seven pollution reduction programs on the local sewage plant’s Environment Protection Licence, requiring a range of upgrades to improve infrastructure, prevent overflows and enhance their response to pollution incidents,” Mr Gordon said.

    “We held regular meetings with the council and the local oyster industry to hear and address their concerns and helped with the cost of monthly water monitoring within the catchment.

    “This is a great example of collaboration across government, and we thank oyster growers, Nambucca Valley Council, DPIRD, the NSW Food Authority and the Department of Climate Change, Energy Environment and Water for working together to find a solution for a local problem.”

    The NSW Food Authority operates the NSW Shellfish Program in partnership with the NSW oyster industry to ensure the safety of shellfish harvested from NSW waters.

    The NSW EPA is continuing to work closely with local oyster growers and the council to monitor and improve water quality in the region.

    Media contact: pi.media@dpird.nsw.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Casar, Williams, Adams, Carter, McClellan, & Raskin Introduce Resolution Declaring Abortion as a Human Right

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), Alma Adams (NC-12), Troy Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) announced the introduction of a Congressional Resolution affirming reproductive freedom as a human right.

    “Texas is ground zero in the fight for abortion rights, with many of my constituents now traveling hundreds of miles to get the health care they need,” said Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas). “Let me be clear: Reproductive rights are human rights. We won’t stop fighting until abortion rights are restored and protected across the U.S.”

    “We are seeing the deadly result of abortion bans in Georgia and around the country. Just last week, ProPublica reported on the deaths of two Georgia women, Candi Miller and Amber Thurman, who died because they could not receive the abortion care they desperately needed,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05). “That is why this resolution is important: it affirms that reproductive freedom is a fundamental human right according to the United States’ own law and that state abortion bans are violating federal law and endangering the lives of women.”

    “Too many women have already died from Donald Trump’s abortion bans, and even one more is too many,” said Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12). “Abortions are healthcare, and reproductive justice is a human right. I will continue to stand up for women’s rights until they are restored nationwide.”

    “Access to safe, legal abortion is healthcare. It’s as fundamental as any other medical service,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02). “I’m proud to support this resolution because it sends a message that no matter where you live in this country, your rights to make decisions about your body and your health should not be up for debate. That’s a matter for you, your doctor, and your family. Not the government.”

    “After Trump-appointed Justices on the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, conservative legislatures and judges across the nation have unleashed extreme abortion bans and restrictions to comprehensive reproductive health care,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04). “Reproductive health care is a public health, social justice, economic, civil rights, and human rights issue. I thank Congresswoman Williams for her leadership on this resolution, as we affirm that reproductive rights are part of our obligations under international human rights treaties.”

    State and Local Actions

    • Alexandria, VA enacted a resolution to expand access to abortion on June 28th, 2022.
    • In Louisiana, House Bills 56, 63, 164, and 293 were introduced in February 2024 to counter the state’s restrictions on reproductive freedom and underscore the human rights concerns with those restrictions.
    • Mt. Rainier, MD issued a Mayoral Proclamation declaring June 24, 2024, as “Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Day.” 
    • Montgomery County, MD passed a resolution to address the Dobbs decision and introduced a new resolution with unanimous support in 2024 to increase abortion access in the county.
    • Austin, TX has invested over $400,000 in support for abortion access and introduced a resolution declaring abortion as a human right.

    This bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Colin Allred (TX-32), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nannette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Bennie Thompson (MI-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Cori Bush (MO-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Tony Cardenas (CA-29), André Carson (IN-07), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jim Himes (CT-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Henry “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Ted Lieu CA-36), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Wiley Nickel (NC-13), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Mary Peltola (AK-AL), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Katie Porter (CA-47), Delila C. Ramirez (IL-03), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Darren Soto (FL-09), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Norma Torres (CA-35), Lori Trahan (MA-03), David Trone (MD-06), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Susan Wild (PA-07), and FredericaS. Wilson (FL-24).

    The resolution text can be found here.

    ###

    Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio.  A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 118th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Committee on Agriculture.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Adams, Van Hollen Introduce Student Debt Relief Bill for Parent Borrowers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-N.C.), and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the Parent PLUS Parity Act, bicameral legislation to ease the burden of student loan debt for parent borrowers who helped their children pay for their higher education.  

    Nationwide, approximately 3.9 million borrowers have outstanding Parent PLUS loan balances totaling $112 billion. While these loans allow parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow money to pay costs not already covered by the student’s financial aid package, current law excludes borrowers from the Parent PLUS and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs from most income-based repayment plans. Among other provisions, the Parent PLUS Parity Act makes parent borrowers eligible for repayment plans created by the U.S. Department of Education under the Biden-Harris Administration. This legislation comes after Senator Van Hollen led several of his colleagues in urging the Biden-Harris Administration – in 2022 and earlier this year – to provide financial relief to parent borrowers, while welcoming its efforts thus far to address the student debt crisis. 

    “This legislation is about fairness for families, so that more parents can help their children through college without worrying about how to make ends meet at their current salary level. If we can amend the law to allow income-based repayments then we should, especially for payees who are disabled or retired. It’s unconscionable that disabled and retired individuals on limited incomes are having their incomes garnished to cover student loan debt. This is a way for us to do better by the American people. I thank Mr. Van Hollen for introducing the companion bill in the Senate and working with me to get this bill passed,” said Rep. Adams.  

    “Millions of parents who struggled to help their kids pay for college are now trapped in unsustainable debt – and it’s not just hurting them, it’s holding back our entire economy. While the Biden-Harris Administration has taken important steps to expand income-based repayment options so students can pay off their loans, parent borrowers have been excluded from these programs, offering them little to no recourse. Our legislation will help those families chart a path to clear their debt and regain their financial footing,” said Senator Van Hollen.  

    “Parents taking out loans to help their kids pay for higher education deserve the same loan forgiveness and relief options as other borrowers,” said Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). “More and more low-income families, especially Black and Latino parents, rely on the Parent PLUS program every year but have limited loan repayment options. By expanding parents’ access to the same repayment benefits their kids would receive, we can help close the racial wealth gap and expand debt relief for underserved families.” 

    In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the legislation is co-led by Senator Padilla and cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT). 

    In addition to Representative Adams, the bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Maxine Waters (D-CA). 

    The Parent PLUS Parity Act is endorsed by NAACP, National Education Association, Student Borrower Protection Center, The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), Student Debt Crisis Center, Project on Predatory Student Lending, Education Trust, Justice in Aging, and the Century Foundation Higher Education Team. 

    Established in 1980, Parent PLUS loans were initially intended to assist higher-asset families, but as tuition has skyrocketed and the purchasing power of the Pell Grant has fallen, families with limited resources, particularly families of color, have increasingly turned to Parent PLUS loans to make up the shortfall. The consequences of this have been enormous, trapping thousands of low-income American families under a crushing financial burden. Between 1996 and 2018, the number of Parent PLUS recipients under the federal poverty line rose by an astonishing 350 percent. In 2020, the average Parent PLUS loan debt held was $37,970, a 40 percent increase since 2000. In 2015, 40,000 disabled or retired Parent PLUS borrowers had their Social Security benefits garnished after defaulting on their loans. What’s more, Black parents are struggling disproportionately; the share of Black Parent PLUS borrowers with incomes below $30,000 nearly tripled from 2008 to 2018. In 2018, 44 percent of Black Parent PLUS borrowers had an annual income below $30,000 compared to only 10 percent of White Parent PLUS borrowers. 

    Currently, Parent PLUS borrowers are excluded from most income-based repayment plans, including the SAVE Plan, the PAYE Repayment Plan, and the IBR Plan. Parent PLUS borrowers are also not eligible to discharge their loans in cases where their child becomes disabled and face additional barriers to obtaining Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). 

    In his letters to Secretary Cardona, Senator Van Hollen has urged the Education Department to use the extent of its authorities to provide relief for Parent PLUS borrowers. As a result of these efforts, the Department included Parent PLUS borrowers in its new hardship discharge program in the proposed student loan relief regulations announced in April 2024. The Parent PLUS Parity Act makes necessary statutory changes to ensure Parent PLUS borrowers can pursue additional avenues for debt relief and to protect these borrowers against Republican attacks on the Department of Education’s student debt relief programs. 

    This legislation will help families tackle intergenerational debt, ensure equal access to programs available to other borrowers, and provide urgently-needed assistance to millions of forgotten Parent PLUS borrowers by: 

    • Expanding the income-driven repayment plan options for Parent PLUS and all FFEL borrowers to all income-driven repayment plans and any forthcoming plans issued by the Department of Education, including the new SAVE program, PAYE, and IBR.  

    • Directing the Secretary of Education to create a new hardship category program that will permit Parent PLUS borrowers to apply for loan discharge if they meet certain requirements based on income, borrower age, and other factors. 

    The full text of the bill is available here.  

    “If we fail to address intergenerational debt experienced by families with Parent PLUS loans, we will fall short of fixing our broken student loan system,” said Senator Booker. The Parent PLUS Parity Act will bring parents much needed relief by expanding access to income-based repayment plans. No one should have to choose between supporting their child’s future and their family’s financial security.” 

    “As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, making sure that Virginia students have the freedom to make the decisions that are right for them is one of my top priorities. That includes looking for commonsense solutions to make higher education opportunities more affordable,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m glad to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to give Parent PLUS borrowers—many of whom are families of color—some breathing room by boosting access to existing income-based repayment plans and application-based relief programs. Supporting our students is critical to the health of our economy, and I will keep looking for opportunities to do so.” 

    “This bill to provide parity for Parent PLUS loan borrowers is a matter of fairness and equity. Doing so will give millions of working families important financial relief, help tackle intergenerational debt and ensure that everyone has access to all income-driven repayment plans,” said Senator Smith. “Passing this legislation would mean millions of parents would no longer be burdened by student loan debt.” 

    “Parent PLUS loans are an example of how our federal student loan program has failed families. Instead of helping families pay for their child’s education, Parent PLUS loans have left many with crippling repayment obligations and reduced debt relief options. These loans have been especially brutal to people of color and marginalized communities, causing them to default on their loans. It’s not sustainable,” said Senator Welch. “This bill is an important step in reforming our federal student loan program.” 

    “Black parents have long understood that higher education opens doors of opportunity for their children. However, the Parent PLUS loan program has often trapped lower-income families in debt, with repayment guidelines designed for wealthier households. The significant number of affected parents highlights a policy failure: skyrocketing education costs combined with a loan program that doesn’t work for low-income families. Senator Van Hollen’s and Representative Adams’s bill seeks to reform Parent PLUS by aligning repayment options with those available for other student loans. This would allow parents to receive relief when their child qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge. The bill also introduces new relief for parents facing financial hardship. These changes would help address a significant injustice: penalizing low-income parents for supporting their child’s pursuit of the American Dream,” said Wisdom Cole, Senior National Advocacy Director, NAACP. 

    “For too long, Parents PLUS borrowers have been left out of critical efforts to alleviate the crushing burden of student loan debt. As a result, Parent PLUS borrowers have been left struggling with unaffordable monthly payments that can force them to delay retirement, push them into poverty and even subject them to Social Security benefit offset and other catastrophic consequences if they fall behind. We applaud Senator Van Hollen and Representative Alma Adams for introducing the Parent PLUS Parity Act which will ensure that Parent PLUS borrowers have access to the full suite of affordable repayment options that all other federal borrowers do. The Act also importantly establishes critical pathways to relief to support Parent PLUS borrowers should they experience financial hardship,” said Aissa Canchola Bañez, Policy Director, Student Borrower Protection Center. 

    “The burden of Parent PLUS debt disproportionately falls on low-income parents and parents of color. The Parent PLUS program currently has limited pathways to enable families to successfully manage their debt, which results in financial harm that can ripple through generations. This bill provides important borrower protections for parents, including affordable income-based repayment options and a fair path to relief for loans taken out to pay for schools that engage in misconduct. We thank Senator Van Hollen and Congresswoman Adams for their leadership on this issue and their commitment to ensuring that families with Parent PLUS loans can benefit from the same borrower protections as other student loans,” said Ashley Harrington, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, Project on Predatory Student Lending. 

    “At the Student Debt Crisis Center, we are proud to endorse the Parent PLUS Parity Act which will expand access to Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and IDR forgiveness to all borrowers, including parents with parent PLUS loans. This bill will help millions of parents who took out student loans to support their children in college and who now find themselves struggling to meet their monthly payments. This is one step towards a more fair and just student loan system, and brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of ending the student debt crisis,” said Natalia Abrams, President & Founder, Student Debt Crisis Center. 

    “EdTrust has repeatedly detailed how the student loan debt burden impedes the economic stability and well-being of Black borrowers,” said Education Trust’s Senior Vice President, Wil Del Pilar. “Policy solutions like increasing repayment options for Parent PLUS are a crucial step toward ensuring that parents, especially under-represented parents and parents from low-income backgrounds, are not burdened with unmanageable debt while investing in their children’s future. This bill adopts several of our recommendations on how to address this issue, and we are pleased to support it.” 

    “Parent PLUS borrowers face the same financial challenges as other borrowers do, yet they have fewer protections from spiraling debts. The Parent PLUS Parity Act would enable parent-borrowers to access many of the Biden-Harris Administration’s improvements to student loan repayment and enjoy retirement unburdened by excessive student loan bills,” said Peter Granville, Fellow, Century Foundation Higher Education Team. 

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    Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Adams, Grassley, Merkley, Booker, and Hinson Shine Light on Stillbirth Prevention

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

    WASHINGTON, DC. – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA-01) teamed up with U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention Day.

    Earlier this year, the bipartisan Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act (H.Res.1474) —led by Hinson and Adams in the House and Merkley in the Senate — was signed into law by President Biden to help save the lives of mothers and babies across America. With at least 25 percent of stillbirths being potentially preventable, this resolution stresses the need for continued stillbirth prevention activities in the United States.

    “I was proud to co-lead the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act and see it pass into law this year, which will increase awareness for families on how to prevent this painful, yet common experience,” said Rep. Adams. “Today we recommit to ending stillbirth and to giving more families a chance to be whole. This is just the beginning, and I am committed to doing my part on behalf of all of America’s families.”

    “A single family affected by stillbirth is one too many. Yet this tragedy impacts thousands across America, upending the lives of individuals and families from all walks of life,” said Senator Merkley. “Getting my Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act signed into law was an important first step, but we must do more to reduce the alarming rate of stillbirth, which disproportionately impacts Black, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native women. This National Stillbirth Prevention Day we recommit to doing everything we can to end this public health crisis, so no one again ever has to experience the trauma of stillbirth.”

    “Thousands of families grapple with the unimaginable pain of stillbirths, and, devastatingly, Black women and underserved communities are disproportionately impacted by these tragedies,” said Senator Booker. “By designating September 19 as National Stillbirth Prevention Day, we will help raise awareness, promote research and develop solutions so all mothers and babies, regardless of their background or circumstances, have access to the care and support they deserve.”

    “Iowa has made strides towards reducing stillbirths in our state. This bipartisan resolution recognizes researchers like we have in Iowa, as well as care providers and advocates. It also reaffirms our goal to improve maternal care resources, particularly in rural areas,” said Senator Grassley. “No mom should know the heartbreak of a stillbirth. I’m glad to be partnering on a number of federal legislative efforts to help target contributing factors and save babies’ lives.”

    “Over 21,000 babies are stillborn in the U.S. each year. This rate is unacceptably high, and we must do more to ensure more women experience healthy pregnancies and have healthy babies. I am proud to lead this bipartisan, bicameral effort to recognize September 19th as National Stillbirth Prevention Day to raise awareness about stillbirth prevention so we can help save more moms and babies,” said Rep. Hinson.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every 175 U.S. births tragically result in stillbirth—accounting for nearly 21,000 stillbirths a year—more stillbirths annually than the number of babies who pass away during their first year of life. In the last two decades, the stillbirth rate in the United States declined by a negligible 0.4 percent. In a report published by the World Health Organization comparing progress in improving stillbirth rates, the United States ranked 183 out of 195 countries.

    “For the third year in a row, and under Senator Merkley’s leadership, we pause to recognize the crisis of stillbirth in this country and celebrate progress on stillbirth prevention efforts. When Congress recognizes this important day, when buildings and bridges are lit up across the country, and moms and dads make their voices heard through OpEds and sharing their personal stories of loss — progress happens and lives are saved. We mourn the tens of thousands of babies who should be with their families right now and accelerate progress so no other family has to endure the tragedy of stillbirth,” said Emily Price, Healthy Birth Day Inc. CEO.

    In the Senate, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). In the House, the resolution is cosponsored by Congressman Wiley Nickel (D-NC-13). Healthy Birth Day Inc., Charles Martin Corvi Fund, Birth and Breastfeeding in Color Inc, American College of Nurse-Midwives, Aaliyah in Action, Yale University Reproductive and Placental Research Unit, Yale University, The Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood Foundation, Nitamising Gimashkikinaan Our First Medicine Indigenous Perinatal and Lactation Support Circle, Division of Indian Work, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, 1st Breath, 2 Degrees, Dieudonne Foundation, Jace’s Journey, Start Healing Together, In the Arms Of Jesus Grief Support, Healing Our Hearts Foundation, Matties Memory, Society for Reproductive Investigation, March of Dimes, Measure the Placenta, Nurturing Babyhood N’ Beyond LLC, PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, March for Moms, Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, Gifts from Liam, Mera’s Mission, and Kansas Birth Justice Society also endorsed the resolution.

    The full text of the resolution can be found by clicking here.

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    Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Adams Hosts White House Cabinet Officials at HBCU Braintrust

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

    Secretary Miguel Cardona (Education), Secretary Xavier Becerra (Health & Human Services) and Administrator Michael Regan (EPA) to join ALC event

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) hosted three members of the White House Cabinet yesterday for her annual “HBCU Braintrust,” a panel event and conversation within the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference, at the Walter Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.  

    U.S. Secretary of Education (USED) Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra, and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan each joined Rep. Adams on Thursday for separate conversations about how to support and sustain the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). 

    “I was honored to welcome Secretary Becerra, Secretary Cardona, and Administrator Regan to discuss how the federal government is helping build a better future for HBCUs, their students and graduates,” said Rep. Adams. “The Biden-Harris administration has helped deliver $17 billion to our schools and I look forward to making more progress in the years ahead to even out the playing field.” 

    “I want to applaud Chair Adams for her visionary leadership and collaboration, which has been absolutely instrumental to this administration’s efforts to Raise the Bar for Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “Our nation’s HBCUs have long punched above their weight and driven Black excellence in fields from law to medicine, arts to engineering.  I am very proud that the Biden-Harris Administration has invested over $16 billion in HBCU schools and students – a historic investment – and in close partnership with leaders like Chair Adams, we will continue to fight tooth and nail for HBCUs to get the support and resources they deserve.” 

    “Congresswoman Alma Adams has been a champion for HBCUs in Congress for her entire career,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “EPA is proud to be delivering on the Biden-Harris administration’s charge to uplift HBCUs, and along with my fellow HBCU-alum Vice President Harris, this work is deeply personal and significant. Through historic investments secured by President Biden, we are ensuring HBCUs have the resources to foster innovation and cultivate the next generation of environmental leaders.” 

    “HBCUs graduate more Black health professionals than any other institutions of higher education”, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, “That is why at HHS, instead of waiting for folks to find us, we go out and find students and let them know what their future could look like when they join the healthcare workforce and how we can support them financially to give back to their community.” 

    The HBCU Braintrust on Thursday was a 90-minute session featuring three separate fireside chats with the three Cabinet officials. The conversations centered around the HBCU Braintrust’s theme: MORE for ‘24 and Striving for ‘25: What We Must do for and with HBCUs to Build on Our Progress.  

    Rep. Adams hosted three events over three days, beginning with her kick-off event on Wednesday, as part of the larger Annual Legislative Conference. 

    Today she hosted the Second Annual Bipartisan HBCU Luncheon, with a keynote address from Dallas Mavericks’ CEO and published author Cynt Marshall. The event continued with a panel discussion titled, When Women Lead, featuring three HBCU presidents:  

    The panel was moderated by Dr. Lisa Herring, President of the PROPEL Center. Dr. Harold L. Martin (North Carolina A&T State University), Dr. Charlotte P. Morris (Tuskegee University) and Dr. Larry Robinson (Florida A&M University) were also recognized at the luncheon for their contributions to their respective universities and the larger HBCU community. 

    ### 

    Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. For more information contact the Office of Congresswoman Alma Adams: (202)225-1510. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. LaMalfa Announces Grant Awards for Disaster Recovery and Preparedness in District 1

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

    (Washington, DC)—Rep. LaMalfa released the following statement announcing that a total of $4,106,321 has been awarded to our district for critical disaster recovery and preparedness projects. These grants will support various initiatives aimed at enhancing resilience, improving emergency management, and ensuring effective fire prevention and protection.

    “I am pleased that these important projects received these awards. Strengthening our ability to respond to and recover from disasters is an issue greatly needed by our constituents here in the 1st district. By improving emergency planning, fire prevention, and connectivity, we will be better able to handle the next disaster that occurs. For instance, our overgrown forests or the inadequate infrastructure in our flood zones, with future concerns being the newly created zones on the Klamath River via dam destruction.”

    Below is a breakdown of the awarded grants:

    • Butte County Foothill Rebuild Barrier Removal Project: $1,014,383

    • Butte County Emergency Operations Planning Project: $490,000

      • Funding will be used to update the Emergency Operations Plan and essential annexes, enhancing disaster preparedness and response. This project will benefit all county residents by improving our local emergency management strategies.

    • Butte County Fire Prevention and Protection Community Education Expansion Project: $1,000,000

      • This grant will expand education on fire prevention through an extensive outreach campaign, increasing awareness and proactive measures. It will also improve availability for fire inspections in isolated areas, helping to reduce fire risks.

    • Butte County Broadband Mitigation Through Connectivity Project: $451,938

      • This project will develop a Connectivity Action Plan to improve communication in remote rugged areas. This plan will guide future investments in broadband infrastructure, enhancing disaster response and connectivity for rural constituencies.

    • City of Redding Risk Assessment and Strategic Planning Project: $150,000

    • City of Redding Storm Drain Master Plan Update: $1,000,000

      • This grant will be used to update the city’s storm drain plan to address current conditions and risks. This will enhance flood management and protect residential, commercial, and public facilities from flood hazards.

    Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garamendi Reintroduces Bill to Permanently Conserve Privately Owned Working Forestlands

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

    WASHINGTON, DC—Today, U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA08) reintroduced the “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” (H.R.9602) with Representatives Jared Huffman (D-CA02), Ann M. Kuster (D-NH02), Jim Costa (D-CA21), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR01).

    “As Deputy Secretary of the Interior to President Clinton, I know that our national conservation goals cannot be achieved through public land ownership alone. The federal and state governments can and must do a better job of working with private landowners who want to choose conservation, as my family did for our cattle ranch in 1998. My bill would unlock billions in federal funding to help states conserve working forestlands to support jobs and sustainable forest management that reduces wildfire risk,” said Congressman Garamendi. 

    “Forests provide crucial habitat for wildlife, protect clean watersheds, and absorb climate-warming carbon from the atmosphere. They are also an important part of Northwest Oregon’s rural economy. The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act will result in the conservation of more private forestlands, creating a better future for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. 

    “The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act is vital for mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving our forests. This legislation will enable us to better engage private landowners and reduce wildfire risks, supporting both our rural economy and sustainable forest management,” said Congressman Costa.

    The “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” (H.R.9602) would allow States to choose to designate accredited, nonprofit land trusts to hold conservation easements purchased with federal grant funds under the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program. Current law requires that only the federal or state governments hold conservation easements purchased under the Forest Legacy Program. 

    Allowing States participating in the federal Forest Legacy Program the flexibility to partner with accredited, nonprofit land trusts will help to conserve more land permanently by working with private landowners who want to choose conservation but do not want to sell the federal or state governments an easement on their property. Conserving working forestlands also supports the rural economy, and sustainable forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk will support local jobs. 

    Garamendi’s bill also supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s “America the Beautiful” National Conservation Goal to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the lands and waters in the United States by 2030 and Governor Newsom’s similar conservation goal for the State of California. 

    To date, the “Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act” (H.R.9602) is supported by: 

    • National Endorsements: Partnership of Rangeland Trusts, American Farmland Trust, Pacific Crest Trail Association 
    • California Endorsements: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), California Rangeland Trust, Pacific Forest Trust, Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Feather River Land Trust, American River Conservancy, Placer Land Trust, Lassen Land and Trails Trust, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Eastern Sierra Land Trust, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Sierra County Land Trust, Shasta Land Trust, Hardy Conservation 
    • New England Endorsements: New England Forestry Foundation, Monadnock Conservancy, Society for the Protection of NH Forests, Squam Lakes Conservation Organization, Kestrel Land Trust, Forest Society of Maine, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Northeast Wilderness Trust 
    • Oregon Endorsements: Northwest Rangeland Trust; Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT); Greenbelt Land Trust; McKenzie Land Trust; North Coast Land Conservancy; Oregon Agricultural Trust

    Past Cosponsors: 

    • 114th Congress: Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) 
      • Now-Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) 
    • 113th Congress: Reps. John Garamendi (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Ann M. Kuster (D-NH), Jared Huffman (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Steve Womack (R-AR), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA) 
      • Now-Senators Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY), Todd Young (R-IN) 

    Garamendi previously served on the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Natural Resources (2011-2012) and the Committee on Agricultural (2012-2014), which oversee both the U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest System. Garamendi served as the first Deputy Secretary of the Interior from 1995 to 1998 during the Clinton Administration. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jim Costa Leading Effort to Increase Access to Rural Housing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

    WASHINGTON – Amidst budget negotiations, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) is calling on Congressional Budget leaders to increase funding and address application processing delays for a key federal program to build more affordable housing in the San Joaquin Valley and rural America.

    The letter, spearheaded by Costa, calls for a return to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding level of $1.258 billion for the Section 502 Direct Loan Program in the federal budget. The House Agriculture budget bill includes $950 million for FY25, while the Senate bill allocates $1 billion, falling far short of meeting nationwide demand.

    “Significant delays in processing loan applications are impacting thousands of families nationwide, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, jeopardizing their dreams of achieving homeownership, and impeding their ability to contribute to their local, rural economies,” wrote the lawmakers.

    “These backlogs and processing delays are largely due to chronic underfunding of the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, which has ripple effects throughout rural communities. The resulting uncertainty leaves local contractors and vendors involved in housing construction in limbo and their livelihoods impacted.” the lawmakers continued, “Addressing these operational inefficiencies is essential not only for meeting the housing needs of our constituents but also for supporting sustainable economic growth in rural America.”

    The letter was signed by Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Vicente Gonzalez (CA-34), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), and Joyce Beatty (OH-03).

    “Unfortunately, this year has brought a crisis to both the families that we serve and the families that depend on our business. The approved funding for USDA Home Loans in California has been depleted, leaving families in limbo, unable to close on their new homes. These families, some of whom have been waiting for over a year and a half, continue to live in substandard conditions while brand-new homes sit completed and ready for occupancy,” said Leonel Alvarado, Century Builders.  

    “The USDA Section 502 loan program has made homeownership possible for rural families across America and in the San Joaquin Valley for many years. No Member of Congress has been a greater champion of this important program than Congressman Jim Costa. In the House, Congressman Costa has led the effort to ensure that Section 502 funds are available for families living in small towns and farming communities in California and across the country. We are deeply grateful for his unwavering support,” said Bob Rapoza, National Rural Housing Coalition.

    BACKGROUND
    The Section 502 Direct Loan Program has been instrumental in providing affordable housing, especially for low-income families, farmworkers, and communities like Orosi, Parlier, and Orange Cove, where affordable housing is scarce. However, significant delays in processing loan applications have impacted over 47 families in California’s 21st Congressional District and 354 families in California, amounting to a total of $102 million in loans.

    Delays in processing Section 502 Direct Loan applications are exacerbating existing housing challenges in rural America, where affordable housing options are already limited. These loans enable low- and moderate-income rural residents to acquire affordable housing rates for their use as a residence by purchasing a new or existing dwelling or a new manufactured home. 

    Local contractors, small business owners, and vendors involved in housing construction and renovation projects are also affected, as uncertainty in funding and project timelines impacts their livelihoods.

    Data from the US Census found that the average annual production of new single-family houses in non-metro areas was 221,000 between 1999 and 2008. However, from 2009 to 2017, this average dropped dramatically to 68,000 per year.

    A copy of the full letter is available HERE.

    Learn more about the Section 502 Direct Loan Program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jim Costa leading Legislation to Permanently Conserve Privately Owned Working Forestlands

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

    WASHINGTON – Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ann M. Kuster (NH-02), and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) introduced H.R.9602 – Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act, which would authorize states to allow certain entities to acquire, hold, and manage conservation easements under the forest legacy program.

    “The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act is vital for mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving our forests. This legislation will enable us to better engage private landowners and reduce wildfire risks, supporting both our rural economy and sustainable forest management,” said Congressman Costa.

    “As Deputy Secretary of the Interior to President Clinton, I know that our national conservation goals cannot be achieved through public land ownership alone. The federal and state governments can and must do a better job of working with private landowners who want to choose conservation, as my family did for our cattle ranch in 1998. My bill would unlock billions in federal funding to help states conserve working forestlands to support jobs and sustainable forest management that reduces wildfire risk,” said Congressman Garamendi. 

    “Forests provide crucial habitat for wildlife, protect clean watersheds, and absorb climate-warming carbon from the atmosphere. They are also an important part of Northwest Oregon’s rural economy. The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act will result in the conservation of more private forestlands, creating a better future for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. 

    BACKGROUND
    The Forest Legacy Management Flexibility Act would allow States to choose to designate accredited, nonprofit land trusts to hold conservation easements purchased with federal grant funds under the U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program. Current law requires that only the federal or state governments hold conservation easements purchased under the Forest Legacy Program. 

    Allowing States participating in the federal Forest Legacy Program the flexibility to partner with accredited, nonprofit land trusts will help to conserve more land permanently by working with private landowners who want to choose conservation but do not want to sell the federal or state governments an easement on their property. Conserving working forestlands also supports the rural economy, and sustainable forest management practices that reduce wildfire risk will support local jobs. 

    This legislation supports the Biden-Harris Administration’s “America the Beautiful” National Conservation Goal to protect and conserve at least 30 percent of the lands and waters in the United States by 2030 and Governor Newsom’s similar conservation goal for the State of California. 

    This legislation is endorsed by the Partnership of Rangeland Trusts, American Farmland Trust, Pacific Crest Trail Association, California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), California Rangeland Trust, Pacific Forest Trust, Sierra Cascade Land Trust Council, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Feather River Land Trust, American River Conservancy, Placer Land Trust, Lassen Land and Trails Trust, Sierra Foothill Conservancy, Eastern Sierra Land Trust, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Sierra County Land Trust, Shasta Land Trust, Hardy Conservation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China implements strictest arable land protection system

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    China on Tuesday made public a guideline on arable land protection, aiming to implement the strictest possible protection system and introducing robust measures with real enforcement “teeth” to combat the erosion of arable land.
    The guideline, issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council, stated that the national arable land area should not fall below 124.33 million hectares, with the area of permanent basic farmland set at no less than 103 million hectares.
    To achieve these goals, China will implement the most stringent possible arable land protection policies, introducing robust measures to combat the conversion of arable land to non-agricultural uses and to prevent permanent basic farmland from being utilized for non-grain production.
    Local Party committees and governments will be required to treat the protection of arable land and permanent basic farmland as a critical political task. They must ensure that the established protection threshold is never breached, and that strict accountability measures are in place for violations, including a “one-vote veto” punishment for officials who breach protection guidelines severely.
    To boost land quality, the document emphasizes the gradual upgrade of permanent basic farmland to high-standard farmland that is suitable for cultivation, resilient to drought and flooding, and capable of ensuring high and stable yields.
    A national plan will be developed for this transformation, with priority given to areas in northeast China’s black soil region, plains and regions with irrigation capabilities.
    The government will implement black soil protection initiatives, adjusting protective measures to encompass all necessary areas in a timely manner. Law enforcement combating activities that harm the fertile soil will be intensified.
    Legislation governing the protection of arable land quality will be accelerated, with annual surveys of soil quality changes and comprehensive evaluations conducted every five years, along with a national soil census to be conducted at an appropriate time.
    Efforts will also be made to develop high-efficiency protected agriculture using non-arable land resources. This will involve exploring the sustainable development of modern protected agriculture in arid and desert regions where water resources allow.
    These initiatives are part of a broader strategy to ensure national grain security and strengthen the agricultural sector.
    China continues to prioritize food security, as it feeds over 1.4 billion people with just 9 percent of the world’s arable land. An array of measures has been implemented to improve grain output over recent years, including the construction of more high-standard farmland and the promotion of agricultural technologies.
    The country has developed about 66.7 million hectares of high-standard farmland as of the end of 2023, with 13 key grain-producing provincial-level regions accounting for around 70 percent of that total.
    According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, China has the sound fundamentals to reap a bumper autumn grain harvest following the summer harvest this year, despite severe disasters triggered by extreme weather in parts of the country. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Blasts McKinsey’s Ties to China, Rebukes Witness for Equating Consulting Firms with Soybean Farmers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Tuesday, September 24, 2024

    In today’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC) hearing, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) made the case for his legislation, the Time to Choose Act, which would restrict consulting firms like McKinsey & Company from receiving government contracts while, at the same time, advising U.S. adversaries like China.
    “Why are [U.S. consulting firms] getting taxpayer money, advising our military, and, simultaneously, advising the Chinese military?” Senator Hawley asked incredulously.
    [embedded content]
    Senator Hawley also pushed back against Bryan Riley, Director of the National Taxpayers Union’s Free Trade Initiative, and his comparison of American soybean farmers to U.S. consulting firms advising the Chinese Communist Party.
    “I come from a state where our number one agricultural product is soybeans,” Senator Hawley explained. “We are a state of soybeans farmers, and—I can tell you—I think they would take great offense to you comparing them to a consulting firm that is taking a billion dollars in money from the United States military while simultaneously advising the Chinese military on how to harm the United States.”
    He continued, asking, “Are you saying that soybean farmers harm the security interests of the United States?”
    Background
    The Time to Choose Act passed the HSGAC this past May by an overwhelming bipartisan margin. Senator Hawley originally brought forth the bill in 2022 and reintroduced it earlier this year. HSGAC Chairman Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are cosponsors.
    The legislation would prohibit the Department of Defense (DOD) and other federal agencies from contracting with consulting firms like McKinsey that are also doing business with the Chinese government or its affiliates.
    Watch Senator Hawley’s full remarks here, or click on the image above.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Nollamara sports building refurbishment complete

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    The Albanese Labor Government continues to partner with the City of Stirling to deliver high-impact local priority projects – with construction of the Robertsbridge Reserve sporting clubrooms at Nollamara now complete.

    Officially opened today by Federal Member for Cowan, the Hon Dr Anne Aly, alongside City of Stirling Mayor, Mark Irwin, the new fit-for-purpose facility can now be enjoyed by local sporting clubs and the broader community year-round.

    The $900,000 project was supported by $125,000 from Phase 4 of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and $775,000 from the City of Stirling, and brings the clubrooms in line with community expectations.

    Supporting 15 jobs during construction, the project upgraded the old change rooms to cater for growing participation, and also included the installation of a Universal Accessible Toilet to enhance safety and accessibility, ceiling improvements, a new office and commercial grade kitchen.

    The modern facility will suit the needs of the local community for years to come, with the refurbishment also including the addition of double doors and changes to the carpark, to ensure accessibility standards are met.

    Construction began in January 2024 and was completed in June 2024, with the upgrades expected to drive female participation in sport.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:

    “It’s fantastic to see work complete on the Robertsbridge Reserve sporting clubrooms, because I know how important having modern, fit-for-purpose facilities is to ensuring the success of local sporting activities.

    “Sport is the centre of so many community events, which is why we’ve partnered with the City of Stirling to get this local priority project off the ground – one of many projects supported as part of over $1.4 million in Phase 4 LRCI funding from the Albanese Government.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Cowan, the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP:

    “Upgrading the Robertsbridge Reserve sports facility is something our local community has long called for, which is why I’m proud that the Albanese Labor government is co-funding this much-needed project.

    “With these upgrades now complete, all members of our community have access to enhanced facilities, which will play a key role in boosting female sports participation in Cowan.”

    Quotes attributable to City of Stirling Mayor, Cr Mark Irwin:

    “The new universal changerooms and public amenities at Robertsbridge Reserve are a vital step towards supporting increased female participation in sport, while also providing modern, inclusive facilities for the whole community.

    “The City of Stirling is proud to invest in this district-level reserve.

    “With the help of a $125,000 contribution from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program towards the $900,000 project, the upgrades will improve safety, functionality, and the overall experience for everyone who uses the reserve, whether for sport, dog walking, or simply enjoying the outdoors.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ADB Maintains Cambodia’s Growth Forecast for 2024-2025

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (25 September 2024) —The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained its growth forecast for Cambodia at 5.8% for 2024 and 6.0% for 2025. It has revised down its earlier inflation projection for 2024 from 2.0% to 0.5%, reflecting the slow increase in food prices and decline in fuel prices in the first half of 2024, according to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2024.

    “The rebound in the manufacturing sector— especially garments, footwear, and travel goods (GFT) — is powering the country’s economic growth,” said ADB Country Director for Cambodia Jyotsana Varma. “Agriculture and tourism are steadily gaining ground, while continued inflows of foreign direct investment are fueling the country’s economic momentum. Together, these forces are setting the stage for a promising 2024 and positioning Cambodia for robust growth in 2025 and beyond.”

    The lowering of inflation forecasts reflects reduced prices of fuel-related goods and services, along with decreased costs of fertilizers, providing support to agricultural production. This will provide much-needed relief for people, especially the most vulnerable, who have faced challenges in recent years due to rising food and fuel prices.

    The report highlighted that GFT exports rose by 16.9% year on year in the first half of 2024, rebounding from an 18.6% decline during the same period the previous year. Meanwhile, growth in exports of non-GFT products slowed to 1.3% year on year from 21.2%. Imports of construction materials and equipment surged by 23.3% year on year in the first half of 2024, driven by public infrastructure investment.

    Agriculture is projected to grow by 1.2% in 2024 and 1.3% in 2025. Services are forecast to grow by 5.4% in 2024 before tapering to 5.2% in 2025. This forecast is supported by a 22.7% year on year increase in tourist arrivals in the first half of 2024, reaching 94.8% of the pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2019.

    Foreign investment inflows continued although they decelerated somewhat to $2 billion by mid-2024, from $2.1 billion during the same period last year. This was supported by growth in nonfinancial sectors. However, investment in the financial sector slowed appreciably due to lower banking profits.

    Potential risks to Cambodia’s economic outlook include weaker growth in major economies like the People’s Republic of China, Europe, and the United States, high private debt, volatile global fuel prices, and severe impact from extreme weather events.

    ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Demands Biden Administration Protect Farmers Amid Historic Inflation, Rising Input Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    “The issues plaguing American producers are directly linked to the harmful policies.”

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke on the Senate floor about the how the Biden administration’s inflationary policies are hurting American farmers. He stressed the importance of passing a Farm Bill that puts American farmers first.

    Read Senator Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.

    “Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the dire state of our American farm economy and our farmers. American farmers and producers are the backbone of our nation’s agriculture economy and food security.

    Despite their critical role in our lives to feed, clothe, and fuel not only the United States, but the entire world, our farmers are struggling to survive—and that’s an understatement. The current state of the agriculture economy is bleak and on the verge of collapse. We have problems all over the world. We have problems in our country. There’s nothing more important. Nothing more important that we should be addressing than our food supply here in this country.

    Costs for farmers are rising. Commodity prices are falling. Our farmers cannot break even—much less, make a profit. According to the USDA, net farm income this year is projected to decline 4.4% from 2023 […]. That is a disaster. This follows a shocking—listen to this—a shocking 19.5% decline in 2022.

    Not one business in this country can survive with this kind of decline. And our farmers and our farms are no different. This means producer’s income has plummeted 23% in just two years. 23%. These figures represent over $40 billion in lost revenue for America’s hardworking producers. This is the largest two-year decline ever in our farm income, ever in the history of this country.

    Right now, our row croppers, especially, are facing considerable financial hardship. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, row croppers had a $27.7 billion decline in cash receipts since last year. In Alabama, my state, our producers are yielding bumper crops of cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans, and yet they can’t profit due to [the] rising cost of production. Our catfish producers are in the same boat. Rising input costs and falling fish prices are threatening to put them out of business. A multitude of factors that producers have no control over are impacting their bottom lines.

    And I wanna talk about one of them. This miraculous, this ‘world saving’ Inflation Reduction Act that we passed a few years ago, was supposed to ‘save our economy.’ It was supposed to save a lot of workers. You know what it’s done to our farmers? It’s almost put us out of business. The Inflation Reduction Act started a tax credit for imports and exports.

    Unfortunately, all the tax credits are going to people, and countries, and farmers from overseas—Brazil and China. [The tax credit] is supposed to go to our farmers, [but] no it’s not gonna do that. For some reason, this Administration [has] given all the tax credits to the farmers from other countries, and our farmers are struggling.

    The Biden administration has control, has total control, over our farm economy, but you hadn’t heard a peep out of them, not one peep about our farmers. And this is a disastrous year coming up. And right now, we are harvesting our crops and they’re bumper crops. The issues plaguing American producers are directly linked to the harmful policies, as I just said, from the Biden-Harris administration.

    This includes the lack of domestic energy production, skyrocketing inflation, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, and endless environmental hurdles. Let me say something about conservation and all the things that happen in our environment. There’s nobody, and I mean nobody on the face of the earth, that takes care and is more conscious of environmental problems than our farmers, because they make a living off our land. But we’re putting so many regulations on them. We’re closing our farms down and running them overseas, and we’re gonna have a national security threat because all of our food is gonna come from foreign countries.

    Farmers are experiencing rising high costs of labor [and an] increase [in the] price of feeds, fertilizer, and pesticides. And I’m not going to sugarcoat it. America’s agriculture producers are facing a very tough road ahead. And it’s something nobody, the media, this building, […] The House of Representatives—nobody’s even talking about. Folks, if we can’t eat. If we don’t have food to eat, we’re done.

    Many farmers fear that their farm loans this year will not be renewed. They have to have farm loans to put a crop in the ground. They fear cash flow is drying up and interest rates continuing to rise create an uncertain future for farming operations. Although Congress only has a few legislative days left to act, we must stop adding fuel to the Biden-Harris administration’s fire. We’ve got to quit adding fuel. We’ve got to help the farmers.

    We need to pass a Farm Bill that helps our farmers. Democrats are [in] control of that. […] A farm bill is for five years. […] Five years ago, the Farm Bill was $870 billion for [a] five-year period. It runs in a five-year period. So, this past year, we’re supposed to be working on a Farm Bill. I’m on the Ag Committee. We go by the control of the Democratic Party. Our Democratic Chairwoman has decided we won’t do a Farm Bill this year.

    We’re just throwing farmers underneath the bus. They need help. You would think by looking at everything going on, that my colleagues on the Left would rather our food come from other countries, take over our farmland, control it, and do something else with it. 

    Producers need a strong safety net—we’ve got to have a safety net for our farmers. Considering no farmer’s risks are the same, we cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach. Remember, we have a Farm Bill that covers livestock, hogs, row croppers, forest, fish. There’s a lot of things involved.

    Farmers across the country have fluctuating levels of risk impacted by land and equipment costs, access to irrigation, and variable input requirements. Southern row croppers rely heavily, heavily upon Title I Commodity Programs in the Farm Bill, particularly the Price Loss [Coverage] program and the Agricultural Risk [Coverage] program. Yet Midwest producers heavily utilize crop insurance.

    Where there may be an overlap across regions among these programs, we must fix the entire farm safety net, not just parts of it. Take the reference prices and commodity programs, for example. Reference prices are how much prices are in their commodity sells for. Our farmers […] are today operating on 2012 reference prices, 2012. Fourteen years later, the costs of production are 22-31% higher today than they were at that time a decade ago—making current reference prices completely inadequate for our farmers.

    We don’t have time to waste. Our farmers are facing an uphill battle to remain in business. […] The American people going to the grocery store are gonna find out pretty quick what it is to be hungry if we don’t wake up and smell the roses.

    Even if a Farm Bill is passed today, producers wouldn’t receive any commodity program support from this Farm Bill until 2026. Game, set, match before 2026 for our farmers in this country.

    That’s help our farmers need now to survive, not two years late. Senate Republicans stand ready to act on a solid bipartisan bill the House Agriculture Committee passed earlier this year. Yet, Senate Democrats and the Biden administration refused, they refused, to come to the table to find practical, bipartisan solutions to the many problems our farmers are facing today.

    ‘Let’s don’t worry about our farmers. Let’s worry about Ukraine. Let’s worry about people overseas. Eight hundred bases we have around the world. Let’s don’t worry about eating. We can without eating.’ That’s what this Administration’s saying. 

    This forces us to look to supplemental appropriation packages to help our producers, if we’re not gonna do a Farm Bill, to renew their farm loans and plan for next year’s crops. If they don’t get help this year, we’re gonna have huge problems. They won’t be pocketing this money. If we come up with some money to help the farmers get along, they’ll just be planting another crop.

    Without immediate action to assist producers, our nation’s agriculture industry may never, ever, make it back from the damage that we’re doing to them today. America has lost—listen to this—America has lost 150,000 farms and 25,000 farmers in our country over the last few years. What? 150,000 farms closed up. Why? They can’t make a profit. You’ve owned a farm for 100 years, you and your family. But you get to the point where you say, ‘you know, I’m not passing something down to our kids that really wanna farm, we’re not gonna put them in harm’s way. We’re gonna sell. We’re gonna get out of the business. And we’re gonna let somebody else worry about it. Let’s let the Federal Government worry about it.’ […]

    We can’t afford any more losses to our farms. Our farmers are hurting. They’re hurting real bad. But have you heard anybody talk about it, no.

    You’re gonna hear a lot of people complaining about it and there’s gonna be an uproar in the next few years when prices double and triple as what they are today because we’re not gonna have any food. And it’s gonna come from Brazil, it’s gonna come from China, it’s gonna come from Vietnam. 

    We are doing severe damage to the farmers across this country and nobody cares. I’ll continue to be the voice of our Southern agriculture producers in the Senate and ensure that we have a seat at the table on this Farm Bill upcoming. But as I just said a while ago, [even] if we do a Farm Bill today, we’re gonna lose at least half of our farmers in this country this year, this year if they don’t get some help.

    Mr. President, I yield the floor.”

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Work to Fix FAFSA Fiasco for Farm Families Gains Support

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – In light of a new report revealing that it will take the Department of Education well into 2027 to complete the implementation of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), U.S. Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) work to fix this fiasco for farm families is gaining momentum with the endorsement of 24 education and agriculture groups.
    After the new formula changed a farm family’s expected annual contribution to their child’s education from $7,626 to $41,056, Ernst’s bipartisan Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act would reverse these changes that could reduce or even eliminate access to need-based student aid for farm families.
    “As students across the country filled up their backpacks and picked up their pencils to head back to school this fall, too many families were left out of accessing financial aid. Chalk it up to poor leadership from the Biden-Harris administration and a Department of Education that is out of touch with rural America!” said Ernst. “There can be no more delay for fixing the Biden-Harris FAFSA fiasco for next year. My solution would support farm families trying to responsibly finance their child’s education, instead of forcing them to sell off the farm. Class is back in session, and the Department of Education must turn their homework in on time so students don’t miss out due to bureaucratic bungling.”
    The new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealed major errors made during the so-called “simplified” FAFSA rollout that led to a 9% decrease in 2024 FAFSA submissions for high school seniors, including that:
    74% of incoming calls for support went unanswered in the first five months of the new form,
    Graduate students were being incorrectly informed that they are eligible for Pell Grants,
    It took families an average of five days to complete a form that the Department claimed would take 15-20 minutes, and
    Students who submitted a paper FAFSA did not receive confirmation for more than seven months.
    To end the series of fumbles, here’s what others are saying about Ernst’s Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act:
    “On the heels of a year where FAFSA was neither ‘better’ nor ‘simpler,’ Iowa families are bracing for more delays, disruptions, and unintended consequences as a result of the 25-26 financial aid processing season. Federal Student Aid and Congress have failed to address key issues – such as how assets related to small business ownership and family farms are counted on the FAFSA – leaving many hard-working Iowans unsure if they’ll have the resources needed to pursue education and training after high school,” said Rob Miller, President of Iowa College Access Network. “And while much attention has been focused on the new December 2024 FAFSA release date, big concerns remain over FSA’s ability to quickly and correctly process the forms and share accurate data with colleges for packaging.” 
    “Students decided not to attend Iowa Central Community College this year due to the newly imposed family asset in the Student Aid Index used for financial aid. If they have to take out loans for their education, many of our students will go right into the workplace or start working on their family farm instead of pursuing a degree,” said Jim Kersten, Vice President of Government Affairs at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge, Iowa. “We faced many challenges following these changes including FAFSA completion delays, students not having FAFSA results in time to make their college decision, schools unable to make financial aid offers, and FASFA corrections not made until August. In addition, some parents with multiple children reached out to ask why their aid was so different from what their older children had received in years past. Their income was basically the same, but they no longer qualified for need-based aid which includes work-study jobs and subsidized loan funds. I am so pleased Senator Ernst is working together in a bipartisan manner with Senator Tester and others to get this important legislation approved as soon as possible.”
    “The second straight year of declining farm income only highlights the problems with changes that were made to asset calculations in the FAFSA Simplification Act,” said Dustin Sherer, Director of Government Affairs at the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). “There are land rich, cash poor farmers who made no money this past year, yet their children won’t qualify for federal financial student aid. AFBF appreciates Senator Ernst’s focus on trying to correct this problem.”
    “Farm Credit commends Senators Ernst and Tester for their bipartisan work to rectify an unintended consequence of prior legislation impacting agricultural families,” said Todd Van Hoose, President and CEO of Farm Credit Council. “It’s essential that we provide our farm and ranch families with the financial aid and resources they need to support the next generation of agricultural leaders.”
    Background:
    The FAFSA form is typically accessible to students on Oct. 1 of each year to allow ample time to submit financial information before state and school-specific deadlines for aid eligibility. However, due to incomplete planning measures, the Department of Education released last year’s version three months late, drastically condensing the timeline for families to submit for aid. To make matters worse, the late rollout came with additional challenges, including changes that could reduce or eliminate access to need-based student aid for farm families and small business owners.
    To ensure more Iowa families are not left out, Ernst has conducted critical oversight, demanded answers on behalf of agricultural communities, and worked to get input directly from impacted Iowans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Renewable Energy – Ruakākā Solar Farm gains planning consent – Meridian

    Source: Meridian Energy

    Meridian Energy has been granted resource consent to build a 120 MW solar farm in Tai Tokerau Northland.

    With up to 250,000 solar panels, the Ruakākā Solar Farm, south of Whangārei, will be capable of producing 150 to 200 GWh of electricity per year – enough to power more than half the homes in Northland.

    Meridian’s Head of Renewable Development, Rebecca Knott, says the project will boost resilience for the region by reducing Northland’s reliance on electricity generated from other parts of the country.

    “With the bulk of New Zealand’s electricity generation coming from the lower South Island and North Island, south of Auckland, we’re proud to be developing such significant generation capacity in Tai Tokerau. This region is blessed with phenomenal natural resources, and we’re looking forward to delivering a fantastic new project that takes full advantage of that.”

    The solar farm is Stage 2 of Meridian’s Ruakākā Energy Park, which includes a 100 MW battery energy storage system that is at an advanced stage of construction and due for completion in early 2025.

    “The Ruakākā Energy Park is one of a number of renewable energy developments Meridian has underway to improve the security of electricity supply and help create a low carbon future for all Kiwis,” says Rebecca Knott.

    “We’re committed to increasing the amount of renewable electricity we generate and store so that we can help meet New Zealand’s growing demand for clean energy. That commitment is backed by a $3 billion investment through to 2030, and a number of excellent projects already in or approaching the planning process. Solar farms and batteries, alongside our hydro stations and wind farms, are part of the solution to strengthening and growing our electricity system, building resilience for tough years and reducing the cost of electricity for homes and businesses.”

    Subject to the appeal period and final investment decision by the Meridian Board, expected by the end of the year, construction of the Ruakākā Solar Farm will get underway in early 2025. It is expected to be completed in late 2026.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Director Rachel Rossi Delivers Opening Remarks at the World Affairs Council’s “From Local to Global: Justice Reform & Community Engagement in the United States and Ukraine”

    Source: United States Attorneys General 7

    Remarks as Prepared for Delivery

    Thank you, Fraser, for that kind introduction and thank you to the World Affairs Council for organizing this panel. A big thank you to Jared Kimball and our colleagues with the Criminal Division’s Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT) for inviting the Office for Access to Justice to partner in this engagement.

    It is an honor to be here in the company of distinguished representatives from Ukraine and Seattle – to learn about their respective community prosecution efforts and to think more deeply about the prosecutor’s role in ensuring equal access to justice for all.

    I must first acknowledge and applaud the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office for its pursuit of community driven approaches to prosecution – especially during such a complex and devastating time.

    Roman Shpyrka is here with us from the Office of Ukraine’s Prosecutor General with a number of his colleagues. Roman – thank you and your team for being here and for all you are doing in the face of unimaginable challenges. We are honored to stand with you as Ukraine plans for a future grounded in the rule of law.

    While our circumstances are quite different, through our collaboration we have seen that that community driven approaches to prosecution align with the mission of equal access to justice for all.

    Achieving “access to justice” requires that all communities can equally access public safety and the promise of justice. This requires equal enforcement of laws, but it also requires us to intentionally dismantle barriers many continue to face, to accelerate innovative strategies and to safeguard the integrity of our legal systems, so that justice doesn’t depend on income, status, who you are or where you live. This, in turn, promotes trust in the rule of law.

    This is the mission of the Office for Access to Justice. As a stand-alone federal office, we are housed within the Justice Department – the United States’ leading federal prosecuting agency – because closing access to justice gaps for all is central to the pursuit of justice.

    Attorney General Merrick B. Garland underscored the importance of our mission in quoting former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy who stated, quote “It must be our purpose … to insure that the department over which I preside is more than a Department of Prosecution and is in fact the Department of Justice.” Attorney General Garland further stated: “We are responsible not only for enforcing the law, but for upholding the Rule of Law. We are responsible for protecting civil rights and pursuing justice for all Americans.”

    As prosecutors stand at the forefront of this pursuit of access to justice, community prosecution strategies incorporate a multi-dimensional approach.

    First, this mission requires consistent engagement with the community. We’ll soon hear more about prosecutorial strategies to engage and collaborate with community members and community-based organizations in a variety of innovative ways.

    And it is with this commitment that our office is working to ensure engagement advances culturally responsive approaches, including for communities that don’t speak or write English. Through our Language Access Program, we have partnered with 38 United States Attorneys’ Offices and 24 other Justice Department offices to translate public-facing materials, include webpages, complaint forms and more.

    We’ve also launched the Access DOJ initiative, to make the Justice Department’s programs and services more efficient and accessible. And we lead the Federal Government Pro Bono Program, assisting federal prosecutors and government employees across the country to engage with communities by volunteering to provide pro bono legal help.

    Prosecutors can also support access to justice by supporting access to counsel for the accused. A robust public defense function helps to ensure the integrity of convictions and that due process rights are protected – central elements to the pursuit of justice. Just last year, our office launched a Public Defense Resource Hub for professionals providing public defense services and related organizations. And we recently partnered with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to conduct a first-of-its-kind comprehensive review of access to counsel in federal pretrial facilities.

    Prosecutors can further pursue equal access to justice through the development of and support for innovative approaches to ensuring justice. For example, our office is supporting leaders across the country who are moving away from the reliance on fines and fees to promote economic justice. We recently published a spotlight report to uplift promising practices across the country, including those lead by prosecutors, to reduce these economic burdens faced by low-income communities.

    And over the last year, our office, led by my colleagues Jarvis Idowu, Jesse Bernstein and Lauren Lambert, has joined OPDAT to support the exchange of knowledge by organizing virtual sessions with Ukraine and U.S. prosecutors and experts from around the country to uplift a variety of innovative prosecutorial strategies.

    Topics have included youth justice, trauma-informed victims and witness engagement, community-based alternatives and partnerships, diversion programs and specialty courts, bail and pretrial detention, restorative justice, data-driven strategies and working with internally displaced persons and the veteran community.

    This week, we’re thrilled to learn more about the innovations driven by the King County Prosecutor’s Office — like their focus on access to justice for those struggling with addiction through LEAD, a community-driven partnership to direct people engaged in low-level drug activity into evidence-based, intensive wrap-around services.

    Finally, prosecutors pursue access to justice through efforts like this one today, to share best practices and engage with our partners at home and abroad. Our office proudly supports U.S. implementation of UN Sustainable Development Goal 16, focused on access to justice. We serve as the U.S. authority on access to justice internationally, like at the U.N. Crime Commission and the Cross Border Crime Forum, centering the importance of access to justice as we tackle complex cross-border criminal issues and pursue strengthened democracy and rule of law globally.

    Prosecutors carry a heavy burden and awesome privilege to pursue public safety. They regularly stand with those experiencing our society’s worst violence, trauma and unimaginable harm. They lead the charge to safeguard the integrity of the criminal justice process, advance community collaboration, uphold civil rights, protect due process and pursue the promise of access to justice for all. And in Ukraine today, it is undeniable that this burden has only become more complex and difficult.

    We’re impressed by the dedication of our colleagues, both here in Seattle and abroad in Ukraine to these principles. The Office for Access to Justice looks forward to continued collaboration as we stand shoulder to shoulder with you in this critical mission. Together, we can increase community trust and strengthen the rule of law. I’ll now turn it over to our moderator, and former King County Prosecuting Attorney, Dan Satterburg.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Seeds planted for $16.7 million agriculture precinct

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    The Albanese Government is continuing to invest in the nation’s future as an agritech powerhouse, investing $16.7 million into the Western Sydney University’s Agri Tech Precinct.

    Once complete, the precinct will be a world-leading hub of research, innovation, incubation and production, working to advance sustainable and resilient food systems.

    It will create new education pathways for future students as well as collaborative opportunities with other agricultural institutions.

    The approximately $30 million project is jointly funded with Western Sydney University, and is an election commitment being delivered under the Priority Community Infrastructure Program.

    Western Sydney University has estimated the construction phase will create 150 direct jobs and up to an additional 240 jobs in the precinct’s day-to-day operations.

    Delivered in two stages, the Commonwealth’s contribution is for stage 1 of the roughly 50-hectare precinct on the Hawkesbury campus. 

    Planning for the precinct is well underway with construction due to commence in April 2025, and stage 1 of the precinct expected to open to students from late 2025 with Stage 2 to follow.

    For more information on the Priority Community Infrastructure Program visit the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website.  

    Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:

    “Agriculture makes up around13% of Australia’s export economy and 55% of its land mass. 

    “With growing demand for sustainable, resilient food systems, the Agri Tech Precinct will help keep Australia at the forefront of innovation in the agriculture sector.

    “This is a smart, long-term investment in both the economy of Western Sydney, and the future of agriculture across Australia.

    “Our commitment to this project is another example of our investment in infrastructure that will deliver benefits for all Australians for generations.”

    Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman:

    “This is an important investment in the WSU Hawkesbury campus in Richmond.

    “The Hawkesbury is the heart of peri-urban farming in NSW, with a rich tradition in food production and land management, and this initiative opens up opportunities for 21st Century agri-tech.

    “Not only will the Agri Tech Precinct play a growing role in the future of agriculture in Australia, but it will create hundreds of exciting new jobs plus new higher education opportunities in the Hawkesbury and Western Sydney.  

    “I’m proud to have this election commitment become a reality and look forward to seeing the results of the investment in the WSU Richmond campus over many years to come.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins:

    “Innovation is at the heart of growing the agriculture sector’s productivity. The new Western Sydney University Agri Tech Precinct will bring students, researchers, businesses and industry together to develop and use new technology and methods to continue Australian agriculture’s competitiveness and success, which is why our Government is backing it.

    “Agriculture is increasingly drawing on technology and scientific advances to manage resource use, monitor production and target pests and diseases. 

    “I am excited by the prospects of bringing our best minds and technology together in the Western Sydney University Agri Tech Precinct. Collaboration can encourage innovation and attract investment and will be crucial to growing the jobs Australian agriculture needs into the future.”

    Quotes attributable to Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO:

    “Western Sydney University’s Agri Tech Precinct is a multi-million dollar investment in the future of sustainable agriculture production. 

    “The precinct will draw on the University’s expertise and research innovation ecosystem, with a focus on challenges faced by communities globally, to be advanced in genuine partnership with industry, government and community.

    “Offering exceptional work-integrated learning opportunities for students in agriculture and food production, it will create much-needed career pathways and a future jobs pipeline for Australia’s agricultural sector. 

    “Critically, the precinct will also create skilled jobs for Western Sydney and capitalise on the proximity to Sydney’s premier international airport at Badgery’s Creek – strengthening our opportunity to rapidly-export fresh, high-yield produce to the rest of the world. 

    “Our Hawkesbury campus has a long history of agricultural education and cutting-edge research. We are delighted this facility continues that proud tradition, cementing Western Sydney’s position as a world-leading hub for agricultural research and innovation.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supports WFP’s school meals programme in Haiti

    Source: World Food Programme

    NEW YORK CITY–Today, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed a contribution of US$ 8 million from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints towards WFP’s home-grown school meals programme in Haiti. The announcement came at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting taking place in New York City, where it was featured as a new CGI Commitment to Action.

    The grant from the Church to World Food Program USA will support WFP’s ongoing work with local governments and partners in Haiti’s Artibonite and Centre departments to scale up school meals that use food from local smallholder farmers. 

    “Building on more than a decade of work together, the Church continues to serve as an essential collaborator, supporting WFP’s global operations during emergencies, while simultaneously stepping up to build community resilience,” said Barron Segar, World Food Program USA President and CEO. “In addition to supporting work on the ground in Haiti, we are grateful for the Church’s generosity in helping us serve thousands of people in other countries around the world this year, as we combat the world’s global hunger crisis.” 

    In Haiti, half of the population is struggling to find enough to eat — one of the highest proportions of acute food insecurity worldwide. Home-grown school meals serve as an opportunity to provide much-needed nutrition to children and to support their education, while sourcing food locally supports local economies and ensures sustainability of the programme. In the upcoming 2024/25 school year, WFP is planning to provide school meals to nearly 500,000 students, 70 percent of which will be made entirely with Haitian-grown ingredients purchased from local farmers.

    “As followers of Jesus Christ, we strive to care for those in need as He would,” said Blaine R. Maxfield, Managing Director of the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Services. “These efforts in Haiti will help ensure that children have access to the nutrition they need to focus on their education, while at the same time strengthening communities by sourcing meals locally.”

    As a longstanding collaborator of WFP, in 2024 alone, the Church has generously supported food assistance in multiple countries across the globe — from delivering emergency food in Ukraine and Nigeria, to feeding school children and ensuring mothers and their newborn children have access to the right nutrients in Chad, Ecuador, Cuba, Guinea, Honduras and Peru.

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    About WFP 

     

    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, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media. 

     

    About World Food Program USA   

    World Food Program USA, a 501(c)(3) organization based in Washington, DC, proudly supports the mission of the United Nations World Food Programme by mobilizing American policymakers, businesses and individuals to advance the global movement to end hunger. Our leadership and support help to bolster an enduring American legacy of feeding families in need around the world. To learn more, please visit wfpusa.org.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Department of Defense Approves Two Defense Community Infrastructure Programs for Colorado Springs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug Lamborn (5th District of Colorado)

    Washington D.C., -On Friday, the Department of Defense, through the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, awarded 14 Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP) grants, amounting to approximately $100 million. Two of these grants were given to Colorado Springs.

    DCIP is a competitive program designed for states, territories, and communities to improve infrastructure that supports military operations, enhance cadet training at independent “covered educational institutions,” strengthen installation resiliency, and improve the quality of life for military families, all to benefit local military installations.     

    “I am pleased that Colorado Springs has been awarded these two important grants. Peterson Space Force Base is home to several units that perform “employed in place” operational missions, making base access critical to the combat readiness of those units.  Improved safety and enhanced North Gate Access to Peterson Space Force Base will ensure our guardians can get to their posts and mission centers expediently, so they arrive on station fully ready to maintain space dominance. The second project will enhance the reliability of electric power to the U.S. Air Force Academy by replacing several miles of existing overhead power lines between two substations with underground 34.5 kV lines. This reliability will reduce power-failure related disruptions to the education and training of the Corps of Cadets and will ensure the Academy accomplishes its mission of producing the next generation of Air and Space leaders to fight and win our nation’s wars,”said Congressman Lamborn.

    The Fiscal Year 2024 grant awarded to Colorado Springs are as follows: 

    1. City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, $10,710,000 to undertake a $15,300,000 project that provides safety improvements and North Gate access to Peterson Space Force Base. This project will address issues that impact operational readiness, the ability to accommodate future total force requirements, and operating costs.
    2. Colorado Springs Utilities, Colorado, $5,348,798 to undertake a $7,641,140 project to remove several miles of existing overhead power lines between two substations in the U.S. Air Force Academy grounds and replace them with underground 34.5 kV lines. This project will enhance the reliability of the primary electric power feed to the Academy, providing essential support to all aspects of the training and education mission.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Introduces LOCAL Foods Act to Better Support Rural Producers and Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) in introducing the Livestock Owned by Communities to Advance Local (LOCAL) Foods Act, legislation to update the Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906’s (FMIA) ‘Personal-Use Exemption’to better support small-scale meat producers in rural communities. The LOCAL Foods Act would codify current USDA guidance on Personal-Use and Custom Exemptions, allowing consumers to buy live animals from producers and designate agents to handle the slaughter and processing of their meat. 
    The Federal Meat Inspection Act requires all meat in the United States to be inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). However, the small number of USDA-inspected slaughterhouses creates bottlenecks for producers, especially small-scale producers that have to compete for slaughterhouse time with much larger operations. To address this, the LOCAL Foods Act will amend Personal-Use and Custom Exemptions to allow producers to sell a live animal to a consumer. The consumer will then have the freedom to either hire someone or slaughter and process the meat themselves, helping farmers to avoid bottlenecks to continue providing their communities with locally sourced food. 
    “For generations, Vermonters have depended on their neighbors for locally-grown produce and farm-fresh meat. However, regulations tailored toward large-scale farms have made it harder for smaller farms to sell in their own communities. Keeping our small-scale producers competitive means cutting through red tape to help them compete with companies that have massive operations,” said Senator Welch. “This bill will update federal guidelines to better support Vermont-sized producers, keep our food local, and strengthen our food systems.” 
    In 2013, Vermont adopted an on-farm slaughter law similar to the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s guidelines to allow owners to slaughter their livestock on the farm where it was raised while upholding food safety standards. This law helps reduce costs and emissions from animal transport, alleviate pressure on backlogged slaughterhouses, increase farm viability, and improve animal welfare and food security. However, USDA retains the authority to eliminate Vermont’s on-farm slaughter inspection program if the state fails to meet federal standards. 
    In 2018, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service issued updated guidelines to create an avenue for producers to sell their produce locally and without an inspection. This guidance gives livestock owners the option to slaughter livestock themselves, or have an agent slaughter their livestock on the farm where it was raised. This change also allows producers to sell a live animal to a consumer, have it slaughtered on the farm, and then processed at a custom processing facility. Custom processing facilities are inspected periodically, in contrast to round-the-clock inspectors that are present at USDA-certified facilities. 
    The LOCAL Foods Act is endorsed by the Farm Action Fund, Farmers and Ranchers Freedom Alliance, Farm-to-Consumer Defense Fund, Kentucky Black Farmers Association, National Family Farm Coalition, and Rural Vermont. 
    “Updating the personal-use exemption to be based on ownership aligns with current USDA standards and is needed to protect the rights of livestock owners, producers, and itinerant slaughterers to practice on-farm slaughter in accordance with their state regulations,” said Caroline Sherman-Gordon, small farmer and Rural Vermont’s Legislative Director. “Protecting farmers from subjective interpretations of the personal-use exception will protect farmers from unfair sanctions and give the security they need to grow their business.” 
    “The LOCAL Foods Act will reduce both financial and regulatory burdens on small farmers and thereby improve consumers’ access to local foods,” said Judith McGeary, regenerative farmer, lawyer, and Executive Director of the Farmers and Ranchers Freedom Alliance. “So many consumers want to buy from local farmers instead of massive corporations, but the farmers are blocked by regulations written by and for Agribusiness.” 
    “Modernizing the personal-use exception reflects the realities of diverse communities demanding access to local food that honor their traditions,” said Kenya Abraham, member of the Kentucky Black Farmers Association. “We are observing a growing demand to access local producers like me, but we need legislation that gives us an incentive to continue our operations.” 
    “The LOCAL Foods Act protects the rights of farmers and consumers to engage in direct commerce by increasing small livestock farmers’ ability to expand their business, and by allowing consumers to buy meat from local farms instead of industrial meat providers, should they so choose. Essentially, it protects the rights of farmers to sell the products of the farm and the rights of consumers to access the foods of their choice from the source of their choice, achieving the kind of food freedom so many demand for themselves, their families, and their communities,” said Christine Dzujna, Farm-to-Consumer Defense Fund’s Policy Manager. 
    “Securing the independence of farmers and consumers is key to building a healthy food system in the Country,” said Antonio Tovar, Senior Policy Associate at the National Family Farm Coalition. “The fact that consumers are effectively forced to access their food from corporations has made us vulnerable to a weak and unreliable market. The LOCAL Foods Act offers a real opportunity to start building food sovereignty.” 
    Learn more about the LOCAL Foods Act. 
    Read the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –