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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to attend 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers Meeting at Brasilia, Brazil

    Source: Government of India

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan to attend 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers Meeting at Brasilia, Brazil

    Shir Chouhan to hold bilateral meetings with Brazil Minister of Agriculture & Livestock Mr Carlos Henrique Baqueta Fávaro, Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming Mr Luiz Paulo Teixeira,

    Theme of 15th BRICS Agricultural Ministerial Meeting is “Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture through Cooperation, Innovation, and Equitable Trade among BRICS Countries”

    Posted On: 15 APR 2025 10:54AM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is leading the Indian delegation to the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), scheduled to be held on 17th April, 2025 in Brasilia, Brazil. The theme of 15th BRICS AMM is “Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable Agriculture through Cooperation, Innovation, and Equitable Trade among BRICS Countries”. Agriculture Ministers and senior officials from BRICS member countries, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran are expected to attend the Meeting.

    During the visit, Shri Chouhan will hold bilateral meetings with key Brazilian counterparts, including Mr. Carlos Henrique Baqueta Fávaro, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, and Mr. Luiz Paulo Teixeira, Minister of Agrarian Development and Family Farming (MDA). These meetings will focus on enhancing collaboration between India and Brazil in various areas of agriculture, agri-technology, rural development, and food security.

    The Minister will interact with leaders of major Brazilian agribusiness companies and representatives of the Brazilian Association of Vegetable Oil Industries in São Paulo, exploring avenues for partnership and investment in the agriculture value chain. As part of his visit, the Minister will also participate in a tree plantation drive at the Embassy of India in Brasilia, under the noble initiative “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”, aimed at raising environmental consciousness and honouring motherhood. In addition, the Minister will interact with the vibrant Indian diaspora in São Paulo, acknowledging their role as cultural ambassadors and contributors to bilateral ties. This visit reaffirms India’s commitment to deepen cooperation with BRICS nations and to advance South-South cooperation in agricultural innovation, resilience, and sustainability.

    ***

    PSF/KSR/AR

    (Release ID: 2121725) Visitor Counter : 83

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Index Numbers of Wholesale Price in India for the Month of March, 2025 (Base Year: 2011-12)

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 15 APR 2025 12:00PM by PIB Delhi

    The annual rate of inflation based on all India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) number is 2.05% (provisional) for the month of March, 2025 (over March, 2024). Positive rate of inflation in March, 2025 is primarily due to increase in prices of manufacture of food products, other manufacturing, food articles, electricity and manufacture of textiles etc. The index numbers and inflation rate for the last three months of all commodities and WPI components are given below:

    Index Numbers and Annual Rate of Inflation (Y-o-Y in %) *

    All Commodities/Major Groups

    Weight (%)

    January-25 (F)

    February-25 (P)

    March-25 (P)

    Index

    Inflation

    Index

    Inflation

    Index

    Inflation

    All Commodities

    100.00

    155.0

    2.51

    154.8

    2.38

    154.5

    2.05

    I. Primary Articles

    22.62

    189.7

    4.58

    186.6

    2.81

    184.6

    0.76

    II. Fuel & Power

    13.15

    152.0

    -1.87

    153.8

    -0.71

    152.4

    0.20

    III. Manufactured Products

    64.23

    143.4

    2.65

    143.8

    2.86

    144.4

    3.07

    Food Index

    24.38

    191.5

    7.52

    189.0

    5.94

    188.8

    4.66

    Note: F: Final, P: Provisional, *Annual rate of WPI inflation calculated over the corresponding month of previous year

    The month over month change in WPI for the month of March, 2025 stood at (-) 0.19% as compared to February, 2025. The monthly change in WPI for last six-month is summarized below:

    Month Over Month (M-o-M in %) change in WPI Index#

    All Commodities/Major Groups

    Weight

    Oct-24

    Nov-24

    Dec-24

    Jan-25 (F)

    Feb-25 (P)

    Mar-25 (P)

    All Commodities

    100.00

    1.29

    -0.19

    -0.45

    -0.45

    -0.13

    -0.19

    I. Primary Articles

    22.62

    2.61

    -1.35

    -2.07

    -2.12

    -1.63

    -1.07

    II. Fuel & Power

    13.15

    1.09

    0.74

    1.27

    0.13

    1.18

    -0.91

    III. Manufactured Products

    64.23

    0.70

    0.14

    -0.07

    0.28

    0.28

    0.42

    Food Index

    24.38

    3.22

    -0.99

    -2.10

    -2.30

    -1.31

    -0.11

    Note: F: Final, P: Provisional, #Monthly rate of change, based on month over month (M-o-M) WPI calculated over the preceding month

     

    Month-over-Month Change in Major Groups of WPI:

    1. Primary Articles (Weight 22.62%): – The index for this major group decreased by 1.07% to 184.6 (provisional) in March, 2025 from 186.6 (provisional) for the month of February, 2025. Price of crude petroleum & natural gas (-2.42%), non-food articles (-2.40%) and food articles (-0.72%) decreased in March, 2025 as compared to February, 2025. The price of minerals (0.31%) increased in March, 2025 as compared to February, 2025.
    2. Fuel & Power (Weight 13.15%): – The index for this major group decreased by 0.91% to 152.4 (provisional) in March, 2025 from 153.8 (provisional) for the month of February, 2025. Price of electricity (-2.31%) and mineral oils (-0.70%) decreased in March, 2025 as compared to February, 2025. The price of coal remained same as in the previous month.
    3. Manufactured Products (Weight 64.23%): – The index for this major group increased by 0.42% to 144.4 (Provisional) in March, 2025 from 143.8 (Provisional) for the month of February, 2025. Out of the 22 NIC two-digit groups for manufactured products, 16 groups witnessed an increase in prices, 5 groups witnessed a decrease in prices and 1 group witnessed no change in prices. Some of the important groups that showed month-over-month increase in prices were manufacture of basic metals; food products; other transport equipment; other manufacturing and machinery and equipment etc. Some of the groups that witnessed a decrease in prices were manufacture of textiles; chemicals and chemical products; computer, electronic and optical products; printing and reproduction of recorded media and furniture etc in March, 2025 as compared to February, 2025.

    WPI Food Index (Weight 24.38%): The Food Index consisting of ‘food articles’ from primary articles group and ‘food product’ from manufactured products group decreased from 189.0 in February, 2025 to 188.8 in March, 2025. The annual rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index decreased from 5.94% in February, 2025 to 4.66% in March, 2025.

    Final Index for the month of January, 2025 (Base Year: 2011-12=100): For the month of January, 2025, the final Wholesale Price Index and inflation rate for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2011-12=100) stood at 155.0 and 2.51% respectively. The details of all India Wholesale Price Indices and Rates of Inflation for different commodity groups based on updated figures are at Annex I. The Annual rate of Inflation (Y-o-Y) based on WPI for different commodity groups in the last six months is at Annex II. WPI for different commodity groups in the last six months is at Annex III.

    Response Rate: The WPI for March, 2025 has been compiled at a weighted response rate of 82.7 per cent, while the final figure for January, 2025 is based on the weighted response rate of 95.4 per cent. The provisional figures of WPI will undergo revision as per the revision policy of WPI. This press release, item indices, and inflation numbers are available at our home page http://eaindustry.nic.in.

    Next date of Press Release: WPI for the month of April, 2025 would be released on 14/05/2025.

    Note: DPIIT releases index number of wholesale price in India on monthly basis on 14th of every month (or next working day, if 14th falls on holiday) with a time lag of two weeks of the reference month, and the index number is compiled with data received from institutional sources and selected manufacturing units across the country. This press release contains WPI (Base Year 2011-12=100) for the month of March, 2025 (Provisional), January, 2025 (Final) and other months/years. Provisional figures of WPI are finalised after 10 weeks (from the month of reference), and frozen thereafter.

    Annex-I

    All India Wholesale Price Indices and Rates of Inflation (Base Year: 2011-12=100) for March, 2025

    Commodities/Major Groups/Groups/Sub-Groups/Items

    Weight

    Index

    March-25*

    Latest month over Month (MoM)

    Inflation (YoY)

    Rate of Inflation (YoY)

    Feb-Mar 2024

    Feb-Mar

    2025*

    2023-24 (Apr-Mar)

    2024-25* (Apr-Mar)

    Mar-24

    Mar-25*

    ALL COMMODITIES

    100.00

    154.5

    0.13

    -0.19

    -0.73

    2.25

    0.26

    2.05

    I. PRIMARY ARTICLES

    22.62

    184.6

    0.94

    -1.07

    3.54

    5.13

    4.57

    0.76

    A. Food Articles

    15.26

    194.4

    1.06

    -0.72

    6.61

    7.30

    7.05

    1.57

    Cereals

    2.82

    211.2

    0.35

    -0.85

    7.17

    7.88

    9.04

    5.49

    Paddy

    1.43

    203.6

    1.24

    0.00

    9.31

    8.42

    11.74

    3.88

    Wheat

    1.03

    217.1

    -0.20

    -1.68

    4.53

    7.64

    7.48

    7.96

    Pulses

    0.64

    205.1

    0.33

    -1.63

    14.38

    10.70

    17.18

    -2.98

    Vegetables

    1.87

    177.5

    5.55

    -5.74

    9.00

    16.64

    20.09

    -15.88

    Potato

    0.28

    199.7

    26.30

    -7.67

    -17.06

    65.71

    58.43

    -6.77

    Onion

    0.16

    273.7

    5.31

    -9.91

    40.36

    42.59

    56.48

    26.65

    Fruits

    1.60

    218.5

    4.33

    4.25

    -1.07

    12.03

    -3.05

    20.78

    Milk

    4.44

    186.8

    0.38

    0.21

    7.46

    3.02

    5.08

    1.41

    Eggs, Meat & Fish

    2.40

    170.1

    -0.06

    -0.82

    0.88

    0.71

    -1.75

    0.71

    B. Non-Food Articles

    4.12

    162.8

    0.57

    -2.40

    -5.64

    -0.42

    -4.25

    1.75

    Oil Seeds

    1.12

    179.3

    0.00

    0.22

    -9.81

    -1.94

    -7.17

    0.34

    C. Minerals

    0.83

    227.9

    -1.51

    0.31

    6.95

    4.49

    -0.36

    2.84

    D. Crude Petroleum & Natural gas

    2.41

    145.1

    1.35

    -2.42

    -3.04

    -1.54

    4.87

    -7.64

    Crude Petroleum

    1.95

    120.8

    0.96

    -2.89

    -7.79

    -2.55

    10.26

    -11.50

    II. FUEL & POWER

    13.15

    152.4

    -1.81

    -0.91

    -4.70

    -1.30

    -2.75

    0.20

    LPG

    0.64

    123.7

    1.23

    0.57

    -10.79

    2.77

    -10.19

    0.24

    Petrol

    1.60

    151.8

    -0.82

    -0.46

    -3.27

    -3.73

    -0.94

    -3.86

    HSD

    3.10

    165.4

    -1.05

    -0.72

    -10.21

    -3.40

    -3.51

    -2.88

    III. MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS

    64.23

    144.4

    0.21

    0.42

    -1.69

    1.71

    -0.85

    3.07

    Mf/o Food Products

    9.12

    179.4

    1.25

    0.90

    -2.92

    7.12

    0.81

    10.67

    Vegetable & Animal Oils and Fats

    2.64

    190.8

    3.26

    1.22

    -20.30

    16.14

    -7.73

    30.95

    Mf/o Beverages

    0.91

    134.6

    0.15

    0.07

    2.02

    1.91

    1.69

    1.58

    Mf/o Tobacco Products

    0.51

    180.2

    0.63

    0.11

    4.98

    2.39

    4.20

    2.21

    Mf/o Textiles

    4.88

    136.6

    -0.07

    -0.29

    -5.65

    1.25

    -1.83

    1.71

    Mf/o Wearing Apparel

    0.81

    154.5

    -0.13

    0.13

    1.45

    1.72

    1.00

    1.98

    Mf/o Leather and Related Products

    0.54

    126.2

    0.00

    0.32

    1.58

    0.93

    1.14

    2.02

    Mf/o Wood and of Products of Wood and Cork

    0.77

    150.0

    -0.27

    0.81

    2.38

    1.75

    4.27

    0.60

    Mf/o Paper and Paper Products

    1.11

    141.3

    0.07

    0.36

    -7.71

    -0.77

    -6.12

    2.39

    Mf/o Chemicals and Chemical Products

    6.47

    136.9

    0.15

    -0.15

    -5.88

    -0.29

    -4.64

    0.96

    Mf/o Pharmaceuticals, Medicinal Chemical and Botanical Products

    1.99

    145.2

    -0.35

    0.14

    1.43

    1.03

    1.20

    1.26

    Mf/o Rubber and Plastics Products

    2.30

    129.7

    0.39

    0.00

    -1.68

    1.19

    -0.08

    1.17

    Mf/o other Non-Metallic Mineral Products

    3.20

    132.7

    -0.52

    0.08

    0.71

    -2.42

    -1.11

    -0.30

    Cement, Lime and Plaster

    1.64

    131.6

    -1.40

    0.30

    0.07

    -5.10

    -2.61

    -2.01

    Mf/o Basic Metals

    9.65

    139.1

    0.14

    1.09

    -5.20

    -0.98

    -5.13

    0.29

    Mild Steel – Semi Finished Steel

    1.27

    118.2

    0.26

    0.77

    -5.59

    -1.68

    -7.14

    1.03

    Mf/o Fabricated Metal Products, Except Machinery and Equipment

    3.15

    136.4

    -1.02

    0.15

    -0.29

    -1.86

    -2.16

    0.15

    Note: * = Provisional. Mf/o = Manufacture of

    Annex-II

    WPI Inflation (Base Year: 2011-12=100) for last 6 months

    Commodities/Major Groups/Groups/Sub-Groups/Items

    Weight

    WPI based inflation (YoY) figures for last 6 months

    Oct-24

    Nov-24

    Dec-24

    Jan-25

    Feb-25*

    Mar-25*

    ALL COMMODITIES

    100.00

    2.75

    2.16

    2.57

    2.51

    2.38

    2.05

    I. PRIMARY ARTICLES

    22.62

    8.26

    5.49

    6.02

    4.58

    2.81

    0.76

    A. Food Articles

    15.26

    13.49

    8.48

    8.53

    5.83

    3.38

    1.57

    Cereals

    2.82

    7.80

    7.71

    6.77

    7.33

    6.77

    5.49

    Paddy

    1.43

    7.47

    7.58

    6.93

    6.22

    5.17

    3.88

    Wheat

    1.03

    8.04

    8.20

    7.48

    9.75

    9.58

    7.96

    Pulses

    0.64

    9.27

    5.97

    5.02

    5.13

    -1.04

    -2.98

    Vegetables

    1.87

    62.86

    29.34

    28.57

    8.11

    -5.80

    -15.88

    Potato

    0.28

    79.11

    82.64

    92.36

    72.57

    27.54

    -6.77

    Onion

    0.16

    39.25

    1.08

    16.98

    28.33

    48.05

    26.65

    Fruits

    1.60

    13.60

    5.59

    11.16

    15.30

    20.88

    20.78

    Milk

    4.44

    3.00

    2.04

    2.15

    2.58

    1.58

    1.41

    Eggs, Meat & Fish

    2.40

    -0.52

    3.16

    5.43

    3.56

    1.48

    0.71

    B. Non-Food Articles

    4.12

    -1.34

    -0.61

    2.40

    3.01

    4.84

    1.75

    Oil Seeds

    1.12

    1.98

    0.32

    -1.35

    0.16

    0.11

    0.34

    C. Minerals

    0.83

    4.51

    6.30

    5.70

    1.56

    0.98

    2.84

    D. Crude Petroleum & Natural gas

    2.41

    -11.80

    -7.74

    -6.77

    -0.53

    -4.06

    -7.64

    Crude Petroleum

    1.95

    -12.49

    -7.20

    -6.86

    -0.76

    -7.99

    -11.50

    II. FUEL & POWER

    13.15

    -4.31

    -4.03

    -2.57

    -1.87

    -0.71

    0.20

    LPG

    0.64

    2.57

    1.81

    2.47

    2.23

    0.90

    0.24

    Petrol

    1.60

    -7.35

    -6.83

    -5.09

    -3.64

    -4.21

    -3.86

    HSD

    3.10

    -6.23

    -5.68

    -4.30

    -3.61

    -3.20

    -2.88

    III. MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS

    64.23

    1.78

    2.07

    2.14

    2.65

    2.86

    3.07

    Mf/o Food Products

    9.12

    9.39

    9.57

    9.75

    10.73

    11.06

    10.67

    Vegetable & Animal Oils and Fats

    2.64

    26.03

    28.83

    31.82

    33.74

    33.59

    30.95

    Mf/o Beverages

    0.91

    2.13

    2.28

    1.89

    1.51

    1.66

    1.58

    Mf/o Tobacco Products

    0.51

    1.09

    1.14

    4.40

    4.02

    2.74

    2.21

    Mf/o Textiles

    4.88

    0.89

    1.42

    2.32

    2.24

    1.93

    1.71

    Mf/o Wearing Apparel

    0.81

    1.25

    1.52

    1.65

    2.19

    1.71

    1.98

    Mf/o Leather and Related Products

    0.54

    1.37

    1.45

    1.53

    3.24

    1.70

    2.02

    Mf/o Wood and of Products of Wood and Cork

    0.77

    1.09

    0.54

    0.47

    1.01

    -0.47

    0.60

    Mf/o Paper and Paper Products

    1.11

    0.94

    0.07

    -0.07

    0.58

    2.10

    2.39

    Mf/o Chemicals and Chemical Products

    6.47

    -0.22

    0.29

    0.59

    1.03

    1.26

    0.96

    Mf/o Pharmaceuticals, Medicinal Chemical and Botanical Products

    1.99

    0.42

    1.19

    0.49

    1.40

    0.76

    1.26

    Mf/o Rubber and Plastics Products

    2.30

    1.89

    1.42

    1.18

    1.65

    1.57

    1.17

    Mf/o other Non-Metallic Mineral Products

    3.20

    -3.83

    -2.38

    -2.73

    -1.64

    -0.90

    -0.30

    Cement, Lime and Plaster

    1.64

    -7.20

    -5.38

    -6.26

    -5.10

    -3.67

    -2.01

    Mf/o Basic Metals

    9.65

    -2.04

    -1.14

    -1.50

    -1.15

    -0.65

    0.29

    Mild Steel – Semi Finished Steel

    1.27

    -1.67

    -0.68

    -0.85

    0.09

    0.51

    1.03

    Mf/o Fabricated Metal Products, Except Machinery and Equipment

    3.15

    -2.81

    -2.87

    -1.45

    -1.81

    -1.02

    0.15

    Note: * = Provisional. Mf/o = Manufacture of

     

    Annex-III

    Wholesale Price Indices (Base Year: 2011-12=100) for last 6 months

    Commodities/Major Groups/Groups/Sub-Groups/Items

    Weight

    WPI Numbers for last 6 months

    Oct-24

    Nov-24

    Dec-24

    Jan-25

    Feb-25*

    Mar-25*

    ALL COMMODITIES

    100.00

    156.7

    156.4

    155.7

    155.0

    154.8

    154.5

    I. PRIMARY ARTICLES

    22.62

    200.6

    197.9

    193.8

    189.7

    186.6

    184.6

    A. Food Articles

    15.26

    217.9

    213.7

    207.5

    199.8

    195.8

    194.4

    Cereals

    2.82

    208.6

    211.0

    211.4

    212.3

    213.0

    211.2

    Paddy

    1.43

    204.4

    205.9

    205.3

    203.1

    203.6

    203.6

    Wheat

    1.03

    209.6

    213.8

    215.5

    219.6

    220.8

    217.1

    Pulses

    0.64

    234.5

    230.8

    224.0

    217.1

    208.5

    205.1

    Vegetables

    1.87

    360.9

    334.6

    288.5

    222.6

    188.3

    177.5

    Potato

    0.28

    375.6

    384.1

    365.1

    292.5

    216.3

    199.7

    Onion

    0.16

    478.2

    495.8

    414.7

    316.6

    303.8

    273.7

    Fruits

    1.60

    210.5

    198.4

    193.3

    196.7

    209.6

    218.5

    Milk

    4.44

    185.6

    185.2

    185.6

    187.0

    186.4

    186.8

    Eggs, Meat & Fish

    2.40

    171.0

    173.1

    174.7

    174.7

    171.5

    170.1

    B. Non-Food Articles

    4.12

    161.9

    162.8

    166.2

    167.5

    166.8

    162.8

    Oil Seeds

    1.12

    185.4

    185.6

    182.8

    183.4

    178.9

    179.3

    C. Minerals

    0.83

    229.6

    229.4

    230.1

    227.2

    227.2

    227.9

    D. Crude Petroleum & Natural gas

    2.41

    147.3

    146.7

    141.9

    150.9

    148.7

    145.1

    Crude Petroleum

    1.95

    126.1

    125.0

    119.5

    130.0

    124.4

    120.8

    II. FUEL & POWER

    13.15

    148.8

    149.9

    151.8

    152.0

    153.8

    152.4

    LPG

    0.64

    119.8

    123.6

    124.6

    123.7

    123.0

    123.7

    Petrol

    1.60

    149.9

    148.7

    149.2

    150.8

    152.5

    151.8

    HSD

    3.10

    164.2

    164.4

    164.6

    165.6

    166.6

    165.4

    III. MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS

    64.23

    142.9

    143.1

    143.0

    143.4

    143.8

    144.4

    Mf/o Food Products

    9.12

    175.9

    177.5

    176.8

    177.5

    177.8

    179.4

    Vegetable & Animal Oils and Fats

    2.64

    178.2

    183.2

    185.6

    187.5

    188.5

    190.8

    Mf/o Beverages

    0.91

    134.5

    134.7

    134.5

    134.4

    134.5

    134.6

    Mf/o Tobacco Products

    0.51

    176.0

    177.0

    180.3

    181.2

    180.0

    180.2

    Mf/o Textiles

    4.88

    135.9

    136.1

    136.8

    137.0

    137.0

    136.6

    Mf/o Wearing Apparel

    0.81

    153.9

    153.7

    154.4

    154.2

    154.3

    154.5

    Mf/o Leather and Related Products

    0.54

    125.7

    125.8

    126.0

    127.5

    125.8

    126.2

    Mf/o Wood and of Products of Wood and Cork

    0.77

    148.7

    148.5

    148.3

    149.6

    148.8

    150.0

    Mf/o Paper and Paper Products

    1.11

    139.8

    138.5

    138.3

    139.5

    140.8

    141.3

    Mf/o Chemicals and Chemical Products

    6.47

    136.3

    136.4

    136.5

    136.8

    137.1

    136.9

    Mf/o Pharmaceuticals, Medicinal Chemical and Botanical Products

    1.99

    143.5

    144.1

    144.0

    145.0

    145.0

    145.2

    Mf/o Rubber and Plastics Products

    2.30

    129.6

    128.6

    129.0

    129.3

    129.7

    129.7

    Mf/o other Non-Metallic Mineral Products

    3.20

    130.4

    131.4

    131.7

    132.2

    132.6

    132.7

    Cement, Lime and Plaster

    1.64

    128.8

    130.1

    130.2

    130.2

    131.2

    131.6

    Mf/o Basic Metals

    9.65

    139.3

    138.6

    137.5

    137.2

    137.6

    139.1

    Mild Steel – Semi Finished Steel

    1.27

    118.0

    117.5

    116.8

    117.3

    117.3

    118.2

    Mf/o Fabricated Metal Products, Except Machinery and Equipment

    3.15

    135.0

    135.3

    135.9

    135.3

    136.2

    136.4

    Note: * = Provisional. Mf/o = Manufacture of

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal

    (Release ID: 2121751) Visitor Counter : 188

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom and Visit California launch international tourism campaign welcoming Canadians to experience the warmth and love of the Golden State

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 14, 2025

    What you need to know: California is launching a new campaign to further strengthen tourism between California and Canada — reminding its international partners that the Golden State remains a welcoming, inclusive, and unparalleled travel destination.

    SACRAMENTO –  In response to recent declines in tourism created by President Trump’s policies, Governor Newsom and Visit California today announced the state will be launching a new international campaign to help maintain the strong tourism partnership between California and Canada, reminding Canadians that California is a grateful partner and remains one of the best — and most welcoming — destinations in the United States, and the world.

    “Sure, you-know-who is trying to stir things up back in D.C., but don’t let that ruin your beach plans. California is the ultimate playground — over 2,000 miles from Washington and a world away in mindset, from our iconic beaches and national parks to world-class wine, food, and outdoor adventure — there’s something here for everyone. Canada, come experience our California Love.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    President Trump’s economic and immigration policies are hurting nearly every economic sector, including the tourism industry. Since President Trump took office, tourism from Canada has dramatically declined, dropping 12% in February compared to the previous year. This is the first decrease in Canadian tourism to California since the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, 1.8 million Canadians traveled to California, spending $3.72 billion in the Golden State. 

    California is taking decisive, strategic action — not only to stem this tide, but to send a clear message: California is open, welcoming, and deeply values its international visitors, especially Canadians. The upcoming campaign will extend Visit California’s $5.2 million annual marketing investment in Canada. 

    “California is committed to rolling out the red carpet for our Canadian visitors, whenever you’re ready to visit,” Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta said. “California and Canada share so much in common. Our inclusive values, love of natural beauty and passion for innovation bind us, and we look forward to welcoming you back with the same community spirit you’ve always shown us.”’
     

    Visit California is a nonprofit corporation funded by private travel, tourism and hospitality businesses in the state. No tax dollars will be used to fund this campaign.

    California Love

    All dreams are welcome in California. From the warmth of its people to its unmatched diversity of landscapes and activities, California is the ultimate playground — and a far cry from Washington, D.C. California will continue to be a welcome destination for its international neighbors to the north.

    For more about your next California adventure, see VisitCalifornia.com.

    Canada: A World of Opportunity 

    Canada is a top travel destination for California’s 40 million residents — pulling intrepid spirits to its friendly urban playgrounds, wide expanses of nature, and legendary outdoor sports locations. The campaign will help ensure that Canada remains a bright North Star for California travelers. 

     

    Expanding partnerships 

    This follows the Governor’s recent announcement of California’s goal to create new strategic trade relationships with international partners aimed at strengthening shared economic resilience and protecting California’s manufacturers, workers, farmers, businesses, and supply chains. As part of that effort, Governor Newsom today met with British Columbia Premier David Eby to discuss opportunities for expanding California’s partnership with Canada and shared priorities, including the lumber industry, national transportation corridors, and opportunities to expedite major projects and affordable housing.

    Meeting with British Columbia Premier David Eby. Photo may be credited to Governor Newsom’s Press Office

    California leads the nation in tourism 

    California is the nation’s #1 tourism destination. Travelers spent more than $150 billion in the state in 2023, generating $12.7 billion in state and local tax revenue. Nearly 1.2 million California workers depend on jobs in tourism and hospitality.

    Recent news

    Apr 14, 2025

    News What you need to know: California will receive 32 new rangers and lifeguards serving across 13 state parks – protecting and informing more visitors ahead of the high travel season. PARADISE — While the federal government cuts staffing for national parks, Governor…

    Apr 14, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring a special election for Assembly District 63 on August 26, 2025. The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: SPECIAL ELECTION PROCLAMATIONBY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF…

    Apr 14, 2025

    News What you need to know: California is investing an additional $170 million to support forest and vegetation management projects critical to protecting communities from wildfire. SACRAMENTO – Protecting communities ahead of peak fire season, Governor Gavin Newsom…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Sergei Sobyanin: Large-scale project “Summer in Moscow” will begin on June 1

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    The large-scale city project “Summer in Moscow” will begin in the capital on June 1. Sergei Sobyanin spoke about this in his telegram channel.

    “Every day for three months, charity, cultural and sports events will be held in all districts and in every area of the capital. Most of them will be free and outdoors,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @Mos_Sobyanin

    The unique project will unite all the events of the summer, including the popular festivals “Tastes of Russia”, “Teatralny Boulevard”, “Gardens and Flowers”, “Times and Epochs”, “Moscow Estates” and “Moscow – on the Wave. Fish Week”.

    In addition, they plan to hold many new musical, sports, youth and patriotic events. Thus, the creative camp “Youth of Moscow” will open for the first time in the Moskino cinema park. Participants will be able to choose and master one of the following areas: “KVN”, “Vocals and Music”, “Original Genre”, “Cinema”, “Producing and Organizing Events”.

    For the capital’s entrepreneurs, the “Summer in Moscow” project will be a good opportunity to make a name for themselves, hold an event on their own site or in one of the 200 city public spaces, and also receive support in promotion.

    Entrepreneurs will also be offered the opportunity to present their products in 13 Made in Moscow art pavilions. Those interested must submit an application on the website project to support local brands.

    Last year, the project’s activities “Summer in Moscow” More than 38 million city residents and guests of the capital visited it.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //vv.mos.ru/mayor/tkhemes/12619050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Stunt creators from the Russian Stuntmen’s Guild performed at the Moskino Cinema Park

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    April 12 was Cosmonautics Day in Russia. In honor of the holiday, a creative evening dedicated to Yuri Gagarin was held in the Moskino cinema park, professional stuntmen performed, interactive performances and concerts were held, as well as fun games with tasks for children and adults.

    Creative evenings and quests

    On April 12, Varvara Nikitina, vice-president of the Stuntmen’s Guild of the Russian Cinematographers’ Union, gave a lecture at the Gonzaga Theatre. She talked about the difficult work she has been doing for 30 years, revealed the secrets of filming space flights, and showed how a gimbal, a device for simulating the movement of an aircraft, works. The audience was also invited to experience the emotions of such a flight, and the stuntmen’s performances expanded the understanding of this profession.

    “Such meetings are very necessary because they give the audience an opportunity to get acquainted with the cinema kitchen, learn the subtleties and secrets from professionals. Thus, the Moskino cinema park unites viewers and creators. When I came here for the first time, five natural sites were built here. I did not expect that this would be such a global and rapidly developing project. Unique sets are built here, thanks to which the filmmaking process becomes more comfortable. We filmed the film Peter I on the natural site of Moscow’s Cathedral Square, and we had very complex stunt scenes there, which we were able to implement in the cinema park. We also filmed the project Santa Claus Wanted here, and these films will soon appear on screens. In addition, a stunt festival will be held soon, in which we will be happy to participate,” Varvara Nikitina shared her impressions.

    The stunt coordinator emphasized that it is very comfortable to work in the film park, and the creative process is organized at the highest level.

    On April 13, the educational center hosted a creative evening dedicated to Yuri Gagarin. Yulia Kostina, head of the scientific and methodological work department of the Cosmonautics Museum, spoke about the first manned flight into space and the discoveries that were made thanks to this event.

    The quest “Space Frontier” was held in the decorations of “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Prince Andrey’s Chambers”, as well as on the central square and near “Cowboy Town”. Participants practiced their knowledge of physics, caught the insidious alien Zikzakzok, and also restored the Earth’s energy system, the planet from a catastrophe.

    Performances, concerts and film screenings

    On April 12 and 13, the Gonzaga Theatre showed the interactive play “Frantic Cosmists”. Young viewers and their parents saw famous space explorers on stage and also took part in fun games.

    “We liked the detailing of the characters, the costumes of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and Yuri Gagarin were memorable, we were surprised by how similar the faces of the great scientists and cosmonauts turned out to be. The children were happy to take pictures with the characters of the play. It’s great that the children were involved in the play, they were invited on stage and they took part in the performance. A very pleasant impression,” said spectator Artem Fedorov.

    The guests noted that the costumes were made very realistically, and the performance helped them learn more about space and get to know its discoverers.

    On April 13, hits from world cinema were heard from the stage. The audience heard compositions from famous Disney cartoons, Soviet films and popular musicals.

    Over the weekend, the Moskino Kinopark cinema hosted screenings of films about family values, love and friendship. Guests appreciated the comedy “Batya-2. Ded” – it takes the viewer back together with the characters to childhood memories of their home and unforgettable moments that you want to return to. The audience was also touched by the funny film “Everything That Concerns You” about the search for a father and music that unites hearts. And the film “Palma-2” told the story of a lost bear cub who finds a real family and true friends.

    Actors of the historical series talked about filming in the Moskino cinema parkA historical drama about the events of Ancient Rus’ in the 12th century was filmed at the Moskino cinema park

    The Moskino cinema park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s “Moscow – City of Cinema” project and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed capital’s Department of Culture. The first stage of development has already been completed here: 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built. Among them are the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Yurovo Airport”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “Deaf Village”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “St. Petersburg Bar” and others.

    The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/152599073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Where to pay your respects in the City this Anzac Day

    Source: South Australia Police

    Wanneroo, Quinns Rocks and Yanchep RSL sub-branches will once again honour Australian and New Zealand service men and women who served in World War I and the conflicts that followed this Anzac Day.

    Each sub-branch will host a Friday dawn service, supported by the City’s Flagship Funding.

    Mayor Linda Aitken said she was proud to support the services.

    “Anzac Day plays a significant role in Wanneroo’s history, and I thank our wonderful RSL Sub-Branches for honouring service men and women, past and present,” she said.

    “The Wanneroo district was far from Europe, but this did not shield our tiny community from the horrors of World War I and World War II.

    “This year marks 110 years since the ANZAC’s landed at Gallipoli in WWI, with the City losing nine men during the war.

    “I encourage our community to come together this ANZAC Day to honour the bravery, sacrifice and service of our veterans.

    “Attending a local dawn service is a meaningful way to pay your respects and show your support for those who have served, and continue to serve, our country.”

    Those Wanneroo men who paid the ultimate sacrifice were Percy John Ainger, a farmer who enlisted at 17, survived the Western Front but died soon after coming home.

    Richard Waltham, a farmer who died aged 22 in France. Ernest John Dudley White, the son of Henry and Mary-Ann White, the first caretakers of the Yanchep Caves and Hunting Lodge.

    Richard Smales, a 21-year-old gardener. William Cockman, gardener and son of Wanneroo pioneers James and Emma Cockman.

    Charles Knight. The Bennett brothers; Albert, Herbert George, and James Dunn.

    The City’s Flagship Funding supports not-for-profit community groups and organisations delivering community initiatives that recognise, celebrate and commemorate the City’s rich history and diverse culture.

    2025 Anzac Day Services

    Yanchep-Two Rocks RSL Sub-Branch

    Yanchep National Park

    Dawn Service, 5.30am for a 6am start

    Main Service, 10.30am for an 11am start

    Wanneroo RSL Sub-Branch

    Wanneroo Memorial Park

    Dawn Service followed by a march and gunfire breakfast, 5.45am

    Quinns Rocks RSL Sub-Branch

    Quinns Rocks Sports Club

    Dawn Service followed by a gunfire breakfast and two-up, 5.45am for a 6am start

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Key decommissioning work at Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant officially begins; outdoor dry storage for spent nuclear fuel breaks ground

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Progress continues in nuclear waste management, with the outdoor dry storage project at Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant set to commence construction. A Taipower representative pointed out that, in 2015, the soil and water conservation plan for the outdoor dry storage facility at Kuosheng was approved by the Council of Agriculture (now the Ministry of Agriculture). Subsequently, after nine years of effort, the Construction Site Plan for Reduction of Pollutants from Runoff Wastewater required for building the dry storage facility was approved by the New Taipei City Government this past August (2024). Approval for construction commencement was granted in November. Today (December 31), Taipower held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction, symbolizing a solid first step in the steady progress toward nuclear power decommissioning.

    A Taipower representative explained that the outdoor dry storage facility at Kuosheng will use dry storage casks designed by NAC International, a nuclear equipment company based in the US. A total of 27 casks are planned for the outdoor facility, with each cask capable of storing 87 spent fuel assemblies. Construction is expected to be completed by 2026. After obtaining a completion certificate from the New Taipei City Government, the facility will undergo commissioning tests, including cold tests and hot tests; then, Taipower will apply to the Nuclear Safety Commission for an operating license. Taipower projects obtaining the license in 2027.

    A Taipower representative stated that the dry storage facility is a critical preliminary component of the decommissioning project. Only after construction is completed and an operating license is obtained can the spent nuclear fuel be gradually removed from the reactor, and only then can the decommissioning process be implemented at full scale. During construction, all work will be carried out in strict accordance with the approved Environmental Impact Statement and Soil and Water Conservation Plan. Taipower will closely monitor construction quality and ensure that all work complies with nuclear safety regulations and occupational safety and quality control standards, as Taipower completes this key project in the decommissioning of Kuosheng Nuclear Power Plant.

    Spokesperson: Vice President Tsai Chih-Meng
    Phone: (02) 2366-6271/0958-749-333
    Email: u910707@taipower.com.tw

    Contact Person: Department of Nuclear Back-end Management Director Liao Ying-Chen
    Phone: (02)2365-7210 ext. 2200/0953-685-053
    Email: u880803@taipower.com.tw

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Mann, Kaptur, Budzinski Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Prioritize Domestic Feedlots and Biofuels

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. –  U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act. The bill would restrict the eligibility of the 45Z Tax Credit to renewable fuels made only from domestically sourced feedstocks and extend the credit through 2034. U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

    “American tax incentives should benefit American-grown products and American farmers, not foreign producers,” said Rep. Mann. “Foreign feedstocks can play a significant role in producing domestically manufactured ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel, but we cannot allow them to displace harvest grown right in our backyard. Our tax code should reward the grit and tenacity of American producers, not prop up feedstocks grown overseas.”

    “Today, I joined my colleagues in this important bicameral and bipartisan effort because helping American farmers, producers, and growers goes beyond state and party lines, and is more important now than ever,” said Rep. Kaptur. “We must ensure the Clean Fuel Production tax credit is structured in a way that benefits domestic producers, and not one that advantages foreign-produced feedstocks from China or Brazil. Our legislation extends this credit through 2034 and will bolster American energy independence by prioritizing American producers and the production of domestic biofuels.”

    The Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act would extend the 45Z tax credit and give the ethanol industry the time and financial incentive to build up the infrastructure needed for the U.S. to be less reliant on foreign fuel, open new markets for farmers, and increase ethanol production across the Midwest. Additionally, this bill fixes the glaring flaw in 45Z that negatively impacts farmers wanting to sell feedstocks to the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry. If 45Z continues as-is, taxpayers are at risk of further subsidizing Chinese-used cooking oil and undermining the use of soy, canola, sorghum, and corn oil in renewable fuels.

    “The Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act is commonsense legislation that stops sending American taxpayer dollars to China, expands robust domestic markets for agriculture producers, and increases certainty for the biofuels industry,” said Sen. Marshall. “With President Trump in the White House and Republicans leading both the Senate and House, we are finally putting American farmers first and supporting biofuels made in the U.S.A. It’s time our energy and agricultural policies reflect that.”

    “Domestically produced biofuel strengthens our energy independence, supports our farmers, and boosts rural economies,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “The introduction of the Farmers First Fuel Incentives Act is an important step as we work to maximize the potential of the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit and clean fuel investments across rural America. By extending the credit for another ten years, this legislation gives farmers and biofuel producers the certainty they need to provide consumers with affordable, lower-carbon fuel options.” 

    The legislation is supported by Growth Energy, American Soybean Association, National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA), National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers, U.S. Canola Association, and Renewable Fuels Association.

    “We are deeply appreciative of these leaders for introducing legislation that establishes requirements for a tax credit that will level the playing field for America’s corn growers,” said National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “This bill brings American farmers a step closer to unlocking an exciting new market with global reach.”

    “We appreciate the focus on “farmers first” legislation and the support of 45Z and domestic feedstocks like sorghum,” said Amy France, Chair of the National Sorghum Producers. “Domestic biofuel production remains critical to our farm and our country’s success.”

    In September 2024, Rep. Mann introduced the Farmers First Fuel Incentives Act in the 118th Congress. That same month, Reps. Mann and Kaptur penned a letter to then-Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging the Treasury to expedite the issuance of the 45Z tax credit. 

    ###

     

    For more information on Rep. Mann visit www.mann.house.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SUNDAY SHOWS: President Trump’s America First Trade Policies in Action

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    This morning, the Trump Administration’s top officials took to the Sunday shows to discuss the state of President Donald J. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, how negotiations are progressing, and the results they’ve already delivered on behalf of American workers and businesses.
    Here’s what you missed:
    Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick on This Week
    On tariffs for certain electronics: “Those products are going to be part of the semiconductor sectoral tariffs, which are coming … We need to have these things made in America.”
    On the constitutionality of tariffs: “Congress has passed laws that gave the president the ability to protect our national security … If we just run gigantic trade deficits and sell our soul to the rest of the world, eventually we are going to be the worker for the rest of the world.”
    On expanding market access: “Our farmers are finally going to have access to the world’s markets. Our farmers have never had the opportunity to sell corn in India — so what’s going to happen is as they sell more and more products, prices will come down.”
    Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing Peter Navarro on Meet the Press
    On tariffs negotiations: “This is unfolding exactly like we thought it would … We have a strategy here where the President says we’re going to charge them what they charge us … knowing full well that a lot of countries would come right to us and want to bargain.”
    On semiconductor tariffs: “The policy is no exemptions, no exclusions … What the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, is going to do — and he’s doing it as we speak — is an investigation of the chips supply chain. The goal is stability and resilience.”
    On inflation: “We had really good news on the inflation front — both the Producer Price Index, which is your wholesale prices, and Consumer Price Index had the lowest print since fall of 2023.”
    National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett on State of the Union
    On China: “In the 15 years after China entered the WTO, real wages went down — so wages went down by more than prices as we thought these cheap goods were going to revolutionize America. In fact, it was the opposite.”
    U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on Face the Nation
    On trade deal negotiations: “My goal is to get meaningful deals before 90 days — and I think we’re going to be there with several countries in the next few weeks.”
    On the response to reciprocal tariffs: “President Trump has a global program to try to reshore American manufacturing and address the trade deficit. It’s a global issue. The only reason we’re really in this position right now is because China chose to retaliate.”
    On tariffs exemptions: “For the national security tariffs, you have to do an investigation in order to impose the tariffs … That’s why they don’t have a tariff covered right now because you have to go through the investigation … We expect there will have to be some kind of tariff.”
    Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on Fox News Sunday
    On trade: “For decades, the way we have been treated in this country and especially our farmers and ranchers is absolutely stunning. We have been living under a tariff regime but it has been the regime of other countries … The President is working to fix it.”
    On ethanol production: “Ethanol is a very important part of our energy independence strategy. President Trump has been unequivocal in his support for ethanol.”
    Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Sunday Morning Futures
    On the Panama Canal: “What President Trump said in his State of the Union address is that China has too much influence over the Panama Canal and America’s going to take it back — and that’s exactly what I was charged to do … Chinese influence cannot control our own backyard.”
    On Iran: “[President Trump is] dead serious that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon … He’s also dead serious that if we can’t figure this out at the negotiating table, then there are other options.”
    White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller on Sunday Morning Futures
    On tariffs: “When the President issued his reciprocal tariffs, our government at the time specifically said that chips and semiconductors, which are critical components of our national security, were going to be dealt with through a separate Commerce authority known as a 232. That was always the plan because those components are so essential to our national security. We need to have a separate process for dealing with how to reshore those essential industries … There are no exemptions.”
    On President Trump’s historic actions: “History will record that the actions President Trump has taken in recent days were the beginning of saving the West from complete economic domination by another power.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi’s visit to strengthen China-Vietnam bond, regional growth

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, is warmly welcomed by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, other senior officials and local representatives upon his arrival at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a state visit to Vietnam from Monday to Tuesday, infusing new vigor into the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

    In a signed article published Monday by the Nhan Dan Newspaper of Vietnam, Xi called for strengthened efforts on all fronts to build such a community.

    This marks Xi’s fourth state visit to Vietnam as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president. The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam, two socialist neighbors that have forged an enduring bond as “camaraderie plus brotherhood.”

    Xi’s visit will serve as a new milestone in bilateral ties, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said. He highlighted its importance in advancing the friendly neighborly relationship, deepening the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, and building a Vietnam-China community with a shared future.

    Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, greets the welcoming crowd upon his arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam, April 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    High-level exchange

    As socialist neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, China and Vietnam have formed a community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, Xi said in a written statement upon his arrival.

    In exploring a socialist path suited to their respective national conditions, the two sides have learned from each other, advanced hand in hand, and jointly demonstrated to the world the bright prospects of the socialist system, Xi noted.

    In recent years, the leaders of the CPC and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) as well as the two countries have maintained frequent high-level exchanges, steering the development of the bilateral ties.

    Xi paid a historic visit to Vietnam in December 2023, during which the two sides announced the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, marking a new stage in bilateral relations.

    In August 2024, To Lam, general secretary of the CPV Central Committee, visited China during his first overseas trip after taking office, further enhancing the momentum of China-Vietnam cooperation.

    The frequent mutual visits between the leaders of the two nations reflect a high level of strategic mutual trust, said Dinh Cong Tuan, head of the Chinese language department at Hanoi Foreign Languages and Technology College.

    Xi’s visit, coming at a pivotal moment in the development of China-Vietnam relations, presents an important opportunity for both sides to deepen their strategic dialogue, the professor added.

    Nguyen Vinh Quang, deputy chair of the Vietnam-China Friendship Association, expressed his hope that both countries will seize the opportunity to explore new avenues for future cooperation and to elevate the building of a community with a shared future to a new level.

    Citizens prepare to take a train of the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban elevated railway in Hanoi, Vietnam, Oct. 9, 2024. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban elevated railway was built by the China Railway Sixth Group as an important project of the synergy of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative with Vietnam’s “Two Corridors and One Economic Circle” plan. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Robust practical cooperation

    Under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, practical cooperation between China and Vietnam has continued to expand across various sectors, providing solid foundations for building a community with a shared future.

    Economic and trade relations between the two sides have reached new heights. China has remained Vietnam’s largest trading partner for more than two decades, with total bilateral trade exceeding 260 billion U.S. dollars in 2024. Chinese enterprises’ direct investment in the Southeast Asian nation surpassed 2.5 billion dollars in the same year, sustaining swift growth.

    Agricultural cooperation continues to bear fruit. High-quality Vietnamese products are increasingly welcomed by Chinese consumers, bringing tangible benefits to Vietnamese farmers and catering to the growing demand in the Chinese market.

    Infrastructure connectivity has also seen significant progress, further facilitating cross-border trade.

    “Railway connectivity and cold-chain transport between China and Vietnam have cut logistics costs, accelerated customs clearance, and ensured fresher, more affordable Vietnamese produce for Chinese consumers,” said Nguyen Ba Hai, an official at the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade.

    In a major development, Vietnam’s National Assembly approved investment for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway project in February, marking a key step in strengthening cross-border exchanges.

    Vietnam plans to begin construction on this line in 2025, with planning for the Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong and Dong Dang-Hanoi standard-gauge railways expected to be completed by 2026, said Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son.

    In the signed article, Xi expressed China’s readiness to advance cooperation with Vietnam on the three standard-gauge railways in northern Vietnam.

    Upgrading cross-border railways and ports can not only boost bilateral trade, but also enhance connectivity and resilience across the region, said Do Thi Thu, a senior lecturer at the Banking Academy of Vietnam.

    Meanwhile, China and Vietnam have launched a number of landmark livelihood projects, enhancing the synergy of their development strategies.

    Solar panels, waste-to-energy plants and other bilateral clean energy projects have boosted electricity supply in Vietnam, while the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line built by a Chinese company makes public transport in Hanoi more convenient.

    “The benefits brought by Vietnam-China economic and trade cooperation are evident,” said Nguyen Thi Phuong Hoa, deputy director at the Institute of Chinese Studies of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

    The enhanced economic exchanges have also contributed to vibrant cultural exchanges.

    In 2024 alone, Chinese tourists made over 3.7 million visits to Vietnam. The launch of the Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall Cross-Border Tourism Cooperation Zone has made it possible to visit both countries in a single day. Chinese film and television productions and video games are popular among young Vietnamese, and more people in Vietnam are learning Chinese.

    Noting that this year marks the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam He Wei said that through a series of activities, the bond between the two peoples will become even closer, and the public support for bilateral relations will become increasingly robust.

    An aerial drone photo shows a view of Guangxi Pingxiang Integrated Free Trade Zone in Pingxiang City, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 1, 2025. With the booming economic and trade cooperation between China and Vietnam, major border ports witness increasing border traffic. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Multilateral collaboration

    As the world undergoes accelerated changes unseen in a century, regional peace and development face mounting challenges, making solidarity and cooperation more crucial than ever.

    China and Vietnam, both vocal advocates of multilateralism, have actively engaged in regional and international cooperation to tackle common challenges and promote shared prosperity.

    The two nations play active roles within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations cooperative framework, contributing to the bloc’s efforts to foster economic integration and regional stability.

    Both nations are signatories to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), underscoring their dedication to an open, rules-based trading system.

    Noting that the trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere, Xi said in the signed article that “our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment.”

    China and Vietnam can work together to uphold the global order based on international law, including an international trade system based on established international norms, said Tran Khanh, former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Southeast Asian Studies at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences.

    As RCEP members, the two countries can use this platform to promote deeper regional integration and contribute to a stable trading system, Do Thi Thu said, adding that the two neighboring countries can also work together to make greater contributions to regional stability.

    Xi’s visit underscores the commitment of both Vietnam and China to peaceful development and regional stability, said Bui Minh Long, managing editor of the Vietnamese daily newspaper Tien Phong. “I believe that closer Vietnam-China relations will become a stabilizing force in Southeast Asia,” Bui said.

    Amid a complex and volatile international landscape, Ambassador He emphasized that China and Vietnam should deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperation and inject more certainty and stability into the region. This, he said, is not only an essential aspect of building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, but also a necessary step to promote regional cooperation and development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Rural development funds improve lives nationwide

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A drone photo taken on March 19, 2024 shows drones spraying pesticides on the crops at the smart farm at Shuanglou Village, Bozhou City of east China’s Anhui province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    The China Foundation for Rural Development received donations totaling 1.127 billion yuan ($155 million) and spent 1.145 billion yuan on public welfare projects in 2024, benefiting 7.44 million people across the country, according to its newly released annual report.
    More than 48,300 volunteers participated in the foundation’s charitable services last year, which focused on rural industry development, talent cultivation, infrastructure improvement, social services, and civic engagement, the report said.
    Social services related to rural children, education, and healthcare accounted for nearly 40 percent of all donations and about 37 percent of expenditures. Long-term programs, such as the Love Package Project, have been operating for more than a decade. New initiatives were launched last year to promote rural science education and support grassroots football development.
    The foundation allocated 144 million yuan to rural industry development projects in 2024, aiming to upgrade the sector and raise farmers’ incomes. Donations for a mechanized agriculture program surged from 1.43 million yuan in 2023 to more than 40 million yuan last year, benefiting nearly 6,000 farming households across 10 counties nationwide.
    To improve living conditions and environmental sustainability in rural areas, the foundation spent 366 million yuan last year on infrastructure and disaster mitigation projects, addressing issues such as sanitation, ecological restoration, and disaster risk reduction.
    The foundation also expanded its international outreach by implementing aid and development programs in 10 countries, including Myanmar, Nepal, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Pakistan. More than 320,000 people benefited from the programs, which involved more than 52 million yuan in funding.
    By the end of 2024, the foundation had raised a cumulative 12.84 billion yuan in donations and in-kind contributions since its establishment, benefiting more than 80.59 million people in China and about 2.56 million in over 30 countries and regions, the report said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kiwi Farmers doing their bit on emissions

    Source: New Zealand Government

    New figures released today confirm that New Zealand farmers are on track to meet the target of a 10 percent reduction in biogenic methane emissions by 2030 Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. 

    “New Zealand farmers are among the most carbon-efficient food producers in the world and these latest results further demonstrate that Labour’s failed He Waka Eke Noa was not needed, and that we were right to take agriculture out of the Emissions Trading Scheme,” Mr McClay says. 

    New Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2023) shows there was a further 2 per cent drop in agricultural emissions in 2023, supporting the government’s projections showing methane to be on track to reduce emissions by 10.1% by 2030. 

    “This is a step in the right direction; however, New Zealand cannot afford to reduce emissions through the planting of food producing land or further reduction of stock numbers,” Mr McClay says.

    “That is why we are introducing legislation this year to restrict full farm to forest conversions and instead support agricultural methane reduction through a $400m commitment to science and innovation. 

    “The primary sector is responsible for 360,000 jobs and contributes $58 billion each year to the New Zealand economy through exports. 

    “This latest emissions reduction was achieved without Labour’s proposed taxes or a price on methane and I would like to thank our farmers for their hard work and commitment to innovations. 

    “The Government is committed to meeting New Zealand’s climate obligations without closing down farms or sending jobs and production overseas,” Mr McClay says. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government strengthens protections for dogs

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is cracking down on the prolonged tethering of dogs, with progress being made on new regulations targeting owners who fail to properly care for the needs of their dogs, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard says.
    “I’ve been hearing a lot from members of the public who want to see action taken, and the SPCA tells us that this is one of the issues that they receive daily calls on. I know that strong animal welfare standards are important to New Zealanders, and we have a level of companion animal ownership which is among the highest in the world.
    “When I came to office, officials provided me four proposed regulations. I was concerned that they couldn’t be enforced and that it wouldn’t lead to better outcomes for dogs that are tethered for unreasonable periods of time.
    “I directed my officials to work with the SPCA to improve on the proposals, taking into account the very considered input received during public consultation. Recently I took these new proposals to Cabinet, and I am pleased that my colleagues have supported these,” Mr Hoggard says.
    “These are very important regulations, and we needed to take our time to ensure the best outcomes.
    “Most dog owners in New Zealand treat their animals well and these regulations will have little to no impact upon them.”
    “The new regulations will provide animal welfare inspectors with the tools they need to intervene quickly when they identify a dog that is suffering harm as a result of being tied up for long periods. I’m confident these regulations will result in better outcomes for those dogs. 
    “We have a few steps to follow to get these proposals ready to become law, but it is my expectation that these will be finalised by the end of the year. That will be followed by a short period with a focus on education so that all dog owners understand their obligations and to allow those who need to make changes time to adapt.”
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: A Bridge to Progress: AfDB Executive Directors Visit Transformative Project in The Gambia

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    Standing on the Senegambia Bridge – an emblem of regional integration and economic resilience – a team of Executive Directors from the African Development Bank Group witnessed firsthand how infrastructure investment is reshaping lives in West Africa.

    “This bridge is more than steel and concrete—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when countries come together to build shared prosperity,” said Nomfundo Ngwenya, spokesperson for the mission and one of seven Executive Directors on the high-level visit.

    Fully funded by the African Development Fund, with 24 km of access roads supported by the European Union, the Senegambia Bridge is a vital artery connecting The Gambia and Senegal. It has eased cross-border transport, boosted trade, and improved daily life for thousands.

    “The difference this makes to traders, transporters, and families on both sides of the border is profound,” said Executive Director Darkortey Rufus. “We saw it. We heard it.”

    The delegation also visited several other projects with transformative impact, including:

    • The Women’s Garden in Bassori, empowering female farmers through irrigation and training, funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP)
    • The OMVG 225/30 kV substation in Soma, part of a broader push for regional energy connectivity
    • A rural Energy Access Program site in Ker Ali, bringing electricity to previously off-grid villages.

    “This is what development looks like: local, practical, and community-owned,” said Chantal Nonault, another Executive Director on the mission. “We’re not just reviewing numbers—we’re seeing results.”

    Strengthening Partnerships, Shaping Future Support

    Held from 24 – 28 February, the mission was part of the Bank’s ongoing engagement with Regional Member Countries. The delegation, representing 34 of the Bank’s 81 member nations, met with President Adama Barrow and senior officials, including Finance Minister Seedy Keita.

    President Barrow expressed appreciation for the Bank’s sustained support and welcomed the Executive Directors’ first collective visit to The Gambia. He also emphasized the government’s reform agenda and home-grown solutions designed to complement external support. He referred to the mission as being not only a vote of confidence in The Gambia’s national development path but also a strong signal about partnerships that matter.

    The visit came at a critical moment as The Gambia advances its 2023–2027 National Development Plan, focusing on economic diversification, climate adaptation, digital transformation, and domestic resource mobilization. These priorities closely align with the African Development Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033).

    Since joining the Bank in 1974, The Gambia has built a robust partnership with the institution. The current portfolio includes 17 active projects valued at $227.47 million, with transport (45%), agriculture (20%), and energy (18%) as leading sectors.

    “The hospitality of the Gambian people and the commitment of its leadership were deeply inspiring,” the EDs said in a joint statement. “We leave with a clear sense of the progress made—and what more can be done.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Nigeria’s Cross River State second to commence construction of its Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone

    Source: African Development Bank Group

    Nigeria’s Cross River State became the second to mark construction of a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone after the country’s Vice President Kashim Shettima and African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina broke ground at the project site on Thursday 10 April.

    The SAPZ aims to tackle food insecurity, enhance local production, and position Nigeria as a food export leader by leveraging Cross River’s ports and research assets to boost global trade, reduce food imports, and drive prosperity through the agro-industrialization of crops like cocoa and cassava.

    The groundbreaking in Cross River follows that of Kaduna which took place few days earlier. Six other states – Kano, Kwara, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory – are included in Phase 1 of the $538 million SAPZ program, with plans to expand to the remaining 28 states this year pending the African Development Bank’s Executive Board approval for Phase 2 funding.

    Shettima emphasized the project’s priority and need for national collaboration: “The SAPZ program has been recognized as a national priority for food security in Nigeria.” He noted, “There is no better time than now for the federal and state governments, development partners, the private sector, and our communities to work hand in hand to ensure the success of the SAPZ project.”

    Adesina celebrated the milestone, saying, “Today is a big day for Nigeria,” and added, “The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones is bringing good news to Nigeria, State Governments and Local Governments. Good news to farmers, agribusinesses, and all rural areas of Nigeria. Good news of jobs, wealth, and prosperity with agriculture as a business.

    “With the abundant arable land, cheap labor and vast agro-ecological areas, Nigeria should not be importing food,” said Adesina who was accompanied by his wife Grace Yemisi Adesina.

    The Bank Group president highlighted Cross River’s export potential: “Bakasi deep seaport will turn the state into a logistics hub in Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea, enabling trade with Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau.”

    The 130-hectare Agro-Industrial Hub in Adiabo will leverage the Calabar Sea Port, Bakassi Deep Sea Port, a 23 kVA power plant in Tinapa, and a 630 kVA Calabar Power Plant. Its Agricultural Transformation Centre, supported by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria and the University of Calabar, lies less than 45 minutes from Ikom, Etung, and Boki, boosting cocoa production for global markets.

    Governor Bassey Otu outlined the state’s vision, saying, “For us in Cross River State, the establishment of clusters of smallholder farmers focused on staple and cash crops such as rice, cassava, millet, cocoa, and oil palm is a vital step toward agro-industrialization.”

    “These initiatives are aimed at strengthening food security, diversifying our state’s economy toward export-oriented agriculture, and boosting our GDP,” added Governor Otu, saying the state should expect to see a big difference in two years. 

    Vice President Kashim Shettima, African Development Bank President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Governor Bassey Out, and other dignitaries unveil the plaque for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in Adiabo, Cross River State, on April 10, 2025, harnessing the state’s ports to boost global trade in cocoa and cassava.

    The African Development Bank Group is investing $210 million, including $50 million from its Africa Growing Together Fund. The Islamic Development Bank is contributing $150 million, the International Fund for Agricultural Development is contributing $100 million, the Green Climate Fund is contributing $60 million, and the government is contributing $18 million.

    Speaking during the occasion, the International Fund for Agricultural Development’s Country Director, Dede Ekoue, noted that the SAPZ will build on the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project which has empowered 26,000 youth and women agripreneurs in the Niger Delta, including 4,000 in Cross River, with plans to scale to 100,000 by 2028.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, said, “The SAPZ program is a powerful catalyst for economic growth and import substitution. By investing in agro-processing development, we are investing in the future of our communities.”

    The African Development Bank Group has committed $934 million to SAPZs in 11 African countries. The 2024 Africa Investment Forum, held in Morocco, recorded $2.2 billion in investor interest for 28 Nigerian states, which make up the second phase of the project.

    Adesina explained that with the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, Nigeria will reduce food imports, conserve foreign exchange, expand local production and processing of food and agricultural commodities, strengthen the Naira, and attract significant private investment into the development of agricultural value chains.

    The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones will also revive and transform rural economies and create millions of jobs.

    Adesina was accompanied by the African Development Bank Vice President for Agriculture, Human and Social Development Dr Beth Dunford, the Director General for Nigeria Dr Abdul Kamara, Prof Oyebanji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation, Director Richard Ofori-Mante, Director of the Agricultural Finance and Rural Development Department, and Dr Yusuf Kabir, National Coordinator for SAPZ, Nigeria.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards to honour NZ’s native forest champions

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Nominations are now open for the inaugural Growing Native Forests Champions Awards, celebrating the people and groups leading native growing efforts Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today.

    “These awards will recognise the farmers, landowners, iwi, and community groups restoring and planting native forests, and helping bolster New Zealand’s biodiversity and land resilience,” Mr McClay says.

    “Native trees are vital to healthy ecosystems — they shelter wildlife, protect water quality, stabilise soils, and store carbon.”

    Award categories include:

    • Trees on Farms – for farmers growing native forests on their land.
    • Lifestyle Block Owner – for owners of properties under 20 hectares.
    • Forestry Company – for businesses or individuals in the forestry sector.
    • Mana Whenua – for individuals, whānau, hapū, and iwi-led projects.
    • Catchment/Community Group – for local and catchment-based initiatives.

    Nominations open 15 April and close 9 May 2025. Winners will be announced at Fieldays in June.

    For more details and to enter, visit: growing native forests champions.

     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Klobuchar Press Trump Administration for Answers on Impacts of Trade War on Farmers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and 17 of her colleagues to press the Trump Administration for information on how their reckless tariff policy will impact farmers across the nation.

    “We write with great concern about the impact of the Administration’s reckless tariff agenda on our nation’s farmers,” wrote the Senators to President Trump’s U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer. “Farmers not only have billions of dollars in commodities from last year waiting to be sold, but also have started spring planting and rely on stable markets for their planning.”

    “As farm organizations and economists have been warning for months, key trading partners will continue to retaliate against U.S. agricultural products as a result of President Trump’s tariffs,” the Senators continued. “The direct economic impact and uncertainty on America’s farmers stands to change the future of agricultural trade relationships for generations.”

    The full letter is available here and below.

    Dear Ambassador Greer,

    We write with great concern about the impact of the Administration’s reckless tariff agenda on our nation’s farmers. Farmers not only have billions of dollars in commodities from last year waiting to be sold, but also have started spring planting and rely on stable markets for their planning. These farmers have made planting decisions and purchased key inputs such as seeds and fertilizer, selected crop insurance coverage, and even began marketing their expected production. Long before the President’s across-the-board tariff announcement, millions of acres of fall-planted crops like winter wheat were already in the ground and farmers already have enough uncertainty without tariffs adding more volatility.

    We continue to hear from farmers and businesses across the agricultural supply chain who are bearing the brunt of the negative impacts of the global tariffs announced by President Trump on April 2, 2025, and earlier tariffs on Canada and Mexico. These actions and the resulting retaliation have injected further uncertainty into the farm economy and continue to rattle commodity markets. Heading into this year, farmers were already facing tightened margins resulting from declining commodity prices and heightened input costs. Many farmers are in a much worse position than they were heading into the 2018-2019 trade war and so are less equipped to withstand the impacts of continued volatility.

    As farm organizations and economists have been warning for months, key trading partners will continue to retaliate against U.S. agricultural products as a result of President Trump’s tariffs. For example, on April 3rd, China announced a 34 percent retaliatory tariff on all products from the U.S. A major export destination for U.S.-grown soybeans, futures prices dropped 34 cents on Friday, with an estimated loss in value of unsold 2024 soybeans of nearly $300 million. That Friday drop would also cost farmers nearly $1.4 billion on the 2025 crop. Cotton, another crop that is heavily reliant on exports followed a similar steep decline. Since then, volatility in the markets has continued as the Administration has continued to change the tariffs day-by-day and sometimes hour-by-hour. While the tariffs are currently 10 percent across-the-board for nearly all countries except China, this continued uncertainty is the last thing farmers need as they begin planting season.

    Farmers are also continuing to experience the long-term implications of the 2018-2019 trade war when structural trade flows shifted to favor farmers in Brazil and Argentina. A prolonged trade war now with key trading partners will just further exacerbate those trade shifts. This market share that farmers are losing is the result of more than $15 billion in investments by both taxpayers and the farmers themselves through trade promotion programs over the last 50 years.

    The direct economic impact and uncertainty on America’s farmers stands to change the future of agricultural trade relationships for generations. As such, we request responses to the following questions: 

    • Did USTR perform any analysis on the impact of the across-the-board tariff policy on farmers prior to implementation? If so, please share that analysis with us. 
      • What do you expect to be the short- and long-term impacts of tariffs on farmers?
    • There have been conflicting reports as to whether tariffs are being used as leverage in trade negotiations or as a long-term structural shift in trade policy. 
      • Can you provide clarity on the goals of the administration’s trade policy?
      • If tariffs are being used as leverage in trade negotiations, what are your top agriculture priorities and markets?  What countries are you prioritizing in negotiations, and what is the basis for determining those countries?
    • President Trump indicated that U.S. farmers need to get ready to supply the domestic market instead of the international markets.  
      • Has USTR or have other agencies done analysis to show how production and consumption of crops would need to shift, or what domestic processing would be necessary to accomplish this goal?  For example, there is very limited domestic cotton spinning, weaving or apparel manufacturing.
      • Significant parts of the agricultural trade imbalance are related to imports of specialty crops, many of which are either grown in tropical regions or imported during the off-season.  U.S. farmers will not be able to produce these commodities in the same volume or season.  Will consumers need to shift from fresh produce in the off season or be forced to pay a higher price due to the tariffs on these products?
    • Prior to the announcement of the across-the-board tariffs and per-country rates, the USDA announced plans for trade missions to several countries including some with tariffs as high as 46%.    
      • Did USTR consult with USDA on the trade missions or setting tariffs based on targets for opening markets?  

    We have serious concerns about the haphazard approach taken by the Administration to tariffs that cause unnecessary uncertainty and harm for U.S. farmers and their markets.  We look forward to a prompt response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Tariffs are Hurting Vermont’s Outdoor and Tourism Economy, Welch Convenes Discussion on Impact of Trump’s Trade War in Stowe 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    More than 60 business and nonprofit leaders attended event 
    STOWE, VT – Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, hosted a conversation at The Alchemist in Stowe on the impact of President Trump’s trade war on Vermont’s outdoor and tourism economy. Senator Welch’s panel included representatives from The Alchemist, the Old Stagecoach Inn, Mad River Distillers, Burton, J Skis, Waterbury Sports & Power Play Sports, and Hen of the Wood.   
    “The point of these roundtables is to mobilize as much information as I can, so that when I’m talking about these tariffs with my colleagues, it’s very concrete: How does it affect Vermont farmers? How does it affect our craft brewers? How does it affect our manufacturers and our retail operations that are so essential?” said Senator Welch during the event. “And then, how does it affect our relationships with long-term allies who are on our side when it comes to the goal of creating good local jobs, respecting the environment, and doing things in a way that provides mutual benefit? So, I want to thank everybody for being here today—this is a deadly serious topic. The Trump Administration, in my view, has run amok on this, and my goal is to stop it.” 
    Panelists shared firsthand the impacts of President Trump’s trade war with Canada and global allies, and discussed how Trump’s rhetoric against Canada has negatively impacted business in Vermont. Frustrations were shared about the uncertainty of the tariffs, rising costs, shifting supply and manufacturing needs, and ways the Trump Administration’s policies are hurting the services and programs Vermonters rely on.  
    After the panel shared their experiences, the floor was opened to business and nonprofit leaders from across the Vermont, who discussed the long-term implications of tariffs when selling and marketing outside of the United States, the impact of Trump’s funding freezes, and how this will raise prices for working Vermonters. 
    View photos from the event below:

    Senator Welch has been outspoken in opposing President Trump’s destructive trade war. Last month, Senator Welch convened Vermont and Canadian business leaders for a roundtable near the U.S.-Canada border to discuss President Trump’s Trade War and how the Trump Administration’s reckless tariffs are hurting workers, families, and farmers. In January and February, Senator Welch convened Vermont businesses for roundtables to hear from Vermont businesses and state and local leaders about how the President’s actions reigniting a trade war have impacted their lives and livelihoods. 
    Senator Welch joined bipartisan colleagues in releasing a resolution to repeal Donald Trump’s sweeping, global tariffs. Senator Welch has also supported legislation pushing back against Trump’s tariffs, including: 

    The Trade Review Act, bipartisan legislation to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy and reestablish limits on the President’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs without the approval of Congress. 

    The Tariff Transparency Act of 2025, legislation to require the United States International Trade Commission to conduct an investigation and submit a report on the impact on businesses in the United States of duties, and the threat of duties, on imports from Mexico and Canada. 

    A Joint Resolution of Disapproval terminating national emergency related to Canadian energy tariffs, passed by the Senate last week on a bipartisan basis. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Hundreds of firefighters gather to train, learn ahead of 2025 wildfire season

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    To increase wildfire prevention and help keep people safe, the Province has taken action over the past six years to strengthen provincial and community capacity for wildfire mitigation and preparedness.

    In recent years, the BC Wildfire Service’s (BCWS) wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts have expanded rapidly, supported by the BCWS growing into a year-round organization focused on proactively reducing wildfire risks as well as responding to fires. Prevention efforts have included hundreds of wildfire risk-reduction and fuel-management projects with partner agencies, with 88 cultural and prescribed fire projects planned for 2025, of which eight have already been implemented this spring.

    Since 2018, the Province, through BCWS, has invested approximately $466 million in wildfire resiliency and risk-reduction projects. The Province’s approach to wildfire risk reduction is through strategic partnerships with communities, First Nations, and external partners, in addition to the BCWS’ direct wildfire mitigation. In advance of this year’s wildfire season, the Province continues to work on fuel mitigation and community preparedness activities to reduce the threat of wildfire, in partnership with local governments and First Nations, and the following organizations:

    FireSmart BC
    FireSmart actions are tested and proven, and they increase your home’s chance of survival in the event of a wildfire. FireSmart is the Canadian standard recognized by all provinces and territories based on National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. This year, there are 250 FireSmart recognized neighbourhoods throughout B.C., and approximately 140 FireSmart co-ordinators within local governments and First Nations. More than 113 local governments and First Nations participate in the Wildfire Mitigation Program, formerly the Home Partners Program, including 20 of the 28 regional districts

    As a leader in wildfire mitigation and preparedness, work by FireSmart BC includes:

    • funding 309 local governments and First Nations to undertake FireSmart activities;
    • 231 FireSmart positions proposed for funding or partially subsidized in communities across the province; and
    • 57 garden centre locations across B.C. now participate in the FireSmart Plant Program. 

    Union of BC Municipalities and First Nations’ Emergency Services Society
    Since 2019, the Province has taken action in partnership with the Union of BC Municipalities and First Nations’ Emergency Services Society to reduce wildfire risk through FireSmart grants and supports, with $185 million committed to date. The Union of BC Municipalities, in partnership with First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS), administers the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports (FCFS) program to communities on behalf of the Province. More than 936 applications have been received since 2019, leading to more than $126 million in approved completed projects.

    Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC)
    The Province partners with FESBC to reduce wildfire risks, enhance wildlife habitats, improve damaged or low-value forests, and manage greenhouse gases. Since 2016, $79.6 million has been invested in 201 community wildfire risk-reduction projects through FESBC. As part of Budget 2024, an additional $60 million was announced for FESBC, with $20 million to be allocated each year for the next three years. This funding supports wildfire risk reduction and/or enhanced wood fibre utilization.

    Fire Chiefs Association of British Columbia
    The Fire Chiefs’ Association of British Columbia is a non-profit organization that serves as an essential source of information, education, and community for its members. It proactively engages with the government and standards organizations on issues relating to fire services, resulting in effective and supported fire departments across the province. Through an agreement with the Fire Chiefs Association of BC (FCABC), BC Wildfire Service has worked closely with local fire departments to co-ordinate equipment and personnel, with more than 100 fire departments that have pre-registered their personal and equipment for provincial deployments this season.

    Farmland Advantage
    Farmland Advantage helps farmers identify and enhance the natural values on a farm that can be protected, restored, and enhanced and develops recommendations and plans to preserve them. Since 2021, the BCWS has worked with Farmland Advantage on $1.4 million in wildfire risk-reduction and community resiliency projects, focusing on strategic areas in the wildland-urban interface.

    Fraser Basin Council 
    After the 2023 fire season, the Premier’s Expert Task Force on Emergencies recommended defining clear pathways for organized and trained local people to play a role in wildfire preparedness and response, based on consistent safety, pre-season training and readiness standards and plans, and integration into the BCWS or local emergency management structure with appropriate co-ordination, accountability and oversight. The BCWS partnered with the Fraser Basin Council in fall 2023 to engage rural communities as part of the Wildfire Roundtables they facilitate.

    Through this engagement, the Fraser Basin Council received responses from 37 out of 89 electoral area directors. Of the 37 responses, 35 identified existing groups that were outside of structural protection areas. Twenty-four of these groups were organized, and 11 were not organized at the time.

    The feedback received was instrumental in guiding the steps BCWS took leading into the 2024 fire season to invest in the preparedness for these groups by training more than 430 community members across 21 groups and engaging them in co-operative response efforts in the 2024 fire season. The groups that were hired in the 2024 fire season were engaged in low-complexity tasks aligned with their basic training such as mopping up, cooling ash pits and patrolling areas to prevent potential flare-ups.

    In recognition of the need to grow this program beyond the initial training intake in 2023, the Regional District Cooperative Community Wildfire Response Organizations program was established to assist in funding training and equipment purchasing of rural response groups.

    Columbia Basin Trust
    Initially launched as part of the BC Economic Recovery Plan in 2021 to support wildfire risk-reduction projects in the Columbia Basin, this program became the Columbia Basin Wildfire Resiliency Initiative in 2022-23. With an ongoing investment of $4 million to support expanded wildfire risk reduction in the Columbia Basin, the program is supported by the BCWS, the Ministry of Forests Regional Operations, and the Columbia Basin Trust. 

    To date, there have been 20 projects supported in 18 communities.  

    Cattlemen’s Association 
    The Province partners with the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association to support beef cattle producers in B.C. Since 2021, $300,000 has been provided in grant funding to build and expand on an existing initiative that develops, pilots and tests new models of targeted livestock grazing as a supplemental tool for managing fine fuels in B.C.’s forested rangelands. 

    B.C. Community Forest Association 
    BCWS works alongside the B.C. Community Forest Association (BCCFA) to reduce wildfire risk in community forests. BCCFA is a non-profit society serving as the voice and advocate of community forests in BC. Currently BCCFA represents more than 100 rural and Indigenous communities across the province. Under the BC Economic Recovery Plan, $5 million was allocated to the BCCFA to reduce wildfire risk and stimulate employment opportunities in 15 community forest tenure areas located around rural communities between 2020 and 2023.

    Additionally, community forests have invested $8 million of their own funds and managed more than $17 million in grants from outside sources such as FESBC to build wildfire resiliency and reduce risk through mechanical treatments and use of prescribed fire.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand Access to High Quality Meat and Poultry Products

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in reintroducing the New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act.

    The bipartisan legislation would allow meat and poultry products inspected by state Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs to be sold across state lines. Currently, meat and poultry products inspected by state programs are limited to markets within the state, even though inspection at a state facility meets or exceeds federal inspection standards. Over half of all states – 29, in total – have their own inspection programs.

    “Iowa produces some of the best meat and poultry in the world. High-quality Iowa products that have already passed a rigorous inspection process shouldn’t require additional inspection to sell across state lines. Our commonsense legislation would remove this regulatory overreach and provide consumers with more options at the meat counter,” Grassley said.

    Additional cosponsors include Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and Sens. Angus King (I-Maine), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).  

    Find bill text HERE.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Owners are officially no longer responsible for tourism accidents on their land – but they never really were

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Peace, Lecturer in Occupational Health and Safety, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington

    EyesWideOpen/Getty Images

    Newly announced reforms to the Health and Safety at Work Act mean landowners will no longer be responsible for tourism-related injuries on their properties. But it’s not clear this has ever really been a problem.

    Workplace Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says there was an “inadvertent climate of fear” affecting councils, farmers and landowners who allowed access to their land for hunting, fishing, mountain biking and horse trekking. The fear was that they would be held responsible if someone was hurt or killed on their land.

    The reforms targeting landowners are part of wider changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act, which was passed in 2015. Under section 37 of the act, a person who controls a workplace is responsible for ensuring that

    the workplace, the means of entering and exiting the workplace, and anything arising from the workplace are without risks to the health and safety of any person.

    But we found just one instance of landowners being taken to court for adventure activities going wrong on their properties. This was the case against Whakaari Management Ltd, the owners of Whakaari/White Island after the 2019 eruption that claimed 22 lives and injured 25 others.

    In 2024, Whakaari Management was found guilty of failing to protect visitors to the island, but that decision was overturned in February this year.

    Adventure activities in New Zealand have been relatively safe, with just over 50 deaths in 35 years.
    Judith Lienert/Shutterstock

    Responsibilities under the law

    Under the current rules, responsibility for something going wrong rests with the “person conducting a business or undertaking”.

    A farmer, for example, is conducting business because they own or have control of their land. This does not apply if they are renting out the land but not involved in the activity’s management or control.

    In the Whakaari Management Ltd appeal the judge wrote:

    To be caught by [section] 37, a [a person conducting a business or undertaking] must in fact be exercising active control or management of the workplace in a practical sense. Owning it is not enough. Making money from it is not enough. Merely being able to manage or control a workplace, but not doing so, is not enough.

    Active control might include an agreement between the landowner and the activity operator to monitor conditions.

    While the Whakaari case is the only one we found where a landowner has been prosecuted under the current rules, there have been a number of court cases involving adventure activity companies.

    The key difference between successful and unsuccessful cases seems to be whether the business owners had the ability to influence or change what went wrong.

    For example, in cases where customers of diving businesses drowned, the courts have decided the businesses did not have control of the workplace, including the sea, a lake or river.

    In one case the judge wrote the business

    does not and cannot control flow or conditions nor can it control who uses or goes through the rapid […] It cannot give directions in relation to it, nor exercise any authority over it.

    A business owner operating a kayaking business did have control of the operational conditions and should have had a safe system of work, including checking the weather forecast.

    Similar failings were found after a school trip resulted in drownings and after the poor condition of tour buses and uncontrolled driving during a sand-surfing trip resulted in deaths.

    Making adventure activities relatively safe

    Even under the Adventure Activities Regulations – industry specific rule passed in 2010 and updated since – the responsibility for safety in the tourism industry fell on tourism operators, not landowners.

    And, from a safety perspective, the rules have been relatively successful. In the past 35 years, there have been about 52 deaths in adventure activities due to natural hazards (including the Whakaari/White Island tragedy). During the same period more than 30,000 workers died at or because of work.

    But this relative safety in adventure activities has come at a cost for small businesses. Under the 2010 regulations, the average cost of mandatory audits has been around NZ$5,000 – a cost borne by the small adventure activity businesses.

    If the government wants to further improve the safety of the outdoor tourism industry, then it needs to focus on making it easier and cheaper for businesses to comply with the regulations, rather than focusing on protecting landowners from a risk they never really faced.

    Danaë Anderson receives funding from the New Zealand Industrial Relations Trust

    Joanne Crawford receives funding from the Health Research Council and the New Zealand Industrial Relations Trust

    Chris Peace does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Owners are officially no longer responsible for tourism accidents on their land – but they never really were – https://theconversation.com/owners-are-officially-no-longer-responsible-for-tourism-accidents-on-their-land-but-they-never-really-were-253622

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Two Years After Old National Bank Shooting, Congressman McGarvey Speaks on House Floor, Introduces Congressional Resolution Honoring Victims

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan McGarvey (Kentucky-03)

    April 10, 2025

    Today, two years after the Old National Bank shooting that claimed five lives and injured eight, Congressman Morgan McGarvey spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and introduced an official Congressional Resolution to honor the victims. 

    SPEECH TRANSCRIPT:

    Two years ago today, the blast of an AR-15 shattered a beautiful spring morning in Louisville as a lone gunman walked into Old National Bank on Main Street and opened fire.

    We lost Josh Barrick, Deana Eckert, Juliana Farmer, Jim Tutt, and my friend, Tommy Elliott.

    Five friends, neighbors, loved ones taken too soon.

    Among the eight wounded was Officer Nick Wilt.

    Just ten days out of the academy, he bravely ran toward the gunman and was shot in the head. Miraculously, he survived.

    That same day, just blocks away at JCTC, two people were shot and Chea’von Moore was killed at just 24 years old.

    I stand here today as a lifelong Louisvillian, still sad my community joined the long list of cities devastated by mass shootings.

    On behalf of all of our communities, we can – and must – do more to stop senseless gun violence.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: A Nageezi Man Pleaded Guilty to Sexual Abuse

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Nageezi man pleaded guilty to federal sexual abuse charges after he engaged in non-consensual sexual acts with the victim.

    According to court records, between January 1, 2024, and April 30, 2024, Patrick Wayne Platero, 47, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, engaged in a sexual act with Jane Doe without her consent.

    At sentencing, Platero faces up to life in prison followed by up not less than five years and up to life of supervised release.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Meg Tomlinson is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Recreate Minecraft movie moments in your game worlds

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Recreate Minecraft movie moments in your game worlds

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: LIFTing up STEM and life sciences education

    [. Alberta’s government continues to allocate funding in a responsible way that respects taxpayer dollars, while putting Alberta on the global stage with cutting-edge research and innovation.

    Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is investing $100 million over three years to turn the 56-year-old Biological Sciences Building at the University of Alberta into a world-leading STEM and life sciences research and education hub.

    The Biological Sciences building will be transformed into the Life Sciences Innovation and Future Technologies (LIFT) Centre, a dynamic and shared laboratory complex where researchers, students and industry partners can work together to solve the most urgent problems facing Alberta and the broader world. The facility is expected to double much-needed laboratory spaces for hands-on experimentation and increase access to high-demand programs across the university.

    “We are committed to strengthening our world-class post-secondary education system to ensure that the workforce we develop today can compete in the economic realities of tomorrow. This investment will double the Faculty of Science’s lab space, solidify the university’s reputation as top destination for students and researchers, and help prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier

    The project will be built in five phases and enable the University of Alberta to double the number of laboratory seats from 1,600 to 3,200, allowing for almost 2,500 new domestic students to access undergraduate programs in the faculties of Science, and Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. There will also be about 700 additional graduate student spaces.

    “This significant investment in the Biological Sciences Building will empower more University of Alberta students to enter the health and life sciences and STEM fields, which are in high demand in our growing economy. This new facility will foster cutting-edge research, collaboration with industry and innovative ideas that will help students build the skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.”

    Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education

    The complete redevelopment of the Biological Sciences Building will create Canada’s preeminent home for cutting-edge life sciences education, research, discovery and experiential learning, right here in Alberta. Through investments like the LIFT Centre, Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge of a growing population and building the workforce Alberta needs, today and in the future.

    “This substantial investment will advance Alberta as a global leader in STEM and life sciences research and education. It’s an exciting time at the university, as this investment enhances our position as an internationally renowned centre of innovation and knowledge and increases our capacity to educate the next generation of leaders and changemakers.”

    Bill Flanagan, president and vice-chancellor, University of Alberta

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.

    Quick Facts

    • The Biological Sciences Building has not received any major renovations since its construction in 1969.
    • The funding will include major retrofitting and updating of complex utilities, controlled environments and advanced safety features.
    • The scope of the project includes renovations on level 4, level 5, level 10 (including mezzanine) and level 11 (including mezzanine) within the Zoology Wing to transform the space into a wet laboratory space.
    • When completed, the newly named LIFT Centre is expected to double the number of lab spaces to 3,200.

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Colleagues Press U.S. Trade Representative on Impacts of Destructive Trump Tariffs on Farmers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch, a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Agriculture Committee, joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and 17 of their colleagues in expressing great concern about the impact of the Administration’s reckless tariff agenda on our nation’s farmers. In their letter, the Senators pressed U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer for information on how the Administration’s tariff taxes will impact farmers across the nation. 
    “Farmers not only have billions of dollars in commodities from last year waiting to be sold, but also have started spring planting and rely on stable markets for their planning. These farmers have made planting decisions and purchased key inputs such as seeds and fertilizer, selected crop insurance coverage, and even began marketing their expected production,” wrote the Senators. “Long before the President’s across-the-board tariff announcement, millions of acres of fall-planted crops like winter wheat were already in the ground, and farmers already have enough uncertainty without tariffs adding more volatility.” 
    The Senators continued: “We continue to hear from farmers and businesses across the agricultural supply chain who are bearing the brunt of the negative impacts of the global tariffs announced by President Trump on April 2, 2025, and earlier tariffs on Canada and Mexico. These actions and the resulting retaliation have injected further uncertainty into the farm economy and continue to rattle commodity markets.” 
    “As farm organizations and economists have been warning for months, key trading partners will continue to retaliate against U.S. agricultural products as a result of President Trump’s tariffs,” wrote the Senators. “A prolonged trade war now with key trading partners will just further exacerbate those trade shifts. This market share that farmers are losing is the result of more than $15 billion in investments by both taxpayers and the farmers themselves through trade promotion programs over the last 50 years…We have serious concerns about the haphazard approach taken by the Administration to tariffs that cause unnecessary uncertainty and harm for U.S. farmers and their markets.” 
    In their letter, the Senators requested answers to the following questions: 
    Did USTR perform any analysis on the impact of the across-the-board tariff policy on farmers prior to implementation? If so, please share that analysis with us. 
    What do you expect to be the short- and long-term impacts of tariffs on farmers? 
    There have been conflicting reports as to whether tariffs are being used as leverage in trade negotiations or as a long-term structural shift in trade policy. 
    Can you provide clarity on the goals of the Administration’s trade policy? 
    If tariffs are being used as leverage in trade negotiations, what are your top agriculture priorities and markets?  What countries are you prioritizing in negotiations, and what is the basis for determining those countries? 
    President Trump indicated that U.S. farmers need to get ready to supply the domestic market instead of the international markets. 
    Has USTR or have other agencies done analysis to show how production and consumption of crops would need to shift, or what domestic processing would be necessary to accomplish this goal?  For example, there is very limited domestic cotton spinning, weaving or apparel manufacturing. 
    Significant parts of the agricultural trade imbalance are related to imports of specialty crops, many of which are either grown in tropical regions or imported during the off-season. U.S. farmers will not be able to produce these commodities in the same volume or season. Will consumers need to shift from fresh produce in the off season or be forced to pay a higher price due to the tariffs on these products? 
    Prior to the announcement of the across-the-board tariffs and per-country rates, the USDA announced plans for trade missions to several countries including some with tariffs as high as 46%. 
    Did USTR consult with USDA on the trade missions or setting tariffs based on targets for opening markets? 
    Along with Senators Welch and Klobuchar, the letter was signed by Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). 
    Read and download the full letter here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Leads Bicameral Letter to USDA, HHS, EPA on MAHA Commission Stance on Products Essential to Food and Agriculture

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Mark Alford (R-MO) alongside U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) led a bicameral group of colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Lee Zeldin. 

    In the letter, the lawmakers call for the use of sound science and risk-based analysis as the MAHA Commission finalizes its work, particularly on crop protection tools, biotechnology, and food- and feed-grade ingredients.

    The lawmakers write, “We write to express our strong appreciation for your leadership and interest in working with each of you to ensure America has the healthiest people in the world. In recent decades, chronic illness rates have risen. This warrants our careful scrutiny to support better health outcomes. It is essential that policies supported by sound science and risk-based analyses are used to accomplish this goal.”

    “We have concerns that environmentalists are advancing harmful health, economic, or food security policies under the guise of human health,” the letter continues. “Despite insinuations to the contrary, regular testing by FDA and USDA finds that more than 99% of all pesticide residues meet extremely conservative limits established by EPA according to the best available science,” 

    Read the full letter HERE or below.

    Dear Secretary Kennedy, Secretary Rollins, and Administrator Zeldin:

    We write to express our strong appreciation for your leadership and interest in working with each of you to ensure America has the healthiest people in the world. In recent decades, chronic illness rates have risen. This warrants our careful scrutiny and to support better health outcomes. It is essential that policies supported by sound science and risk-based analyses are used to accomplish this goal.

    We also urge you to safeguard the work of the Make America Healthy Again Commission (Commission) from activist groups promoting misguided and sometimes even malicious policies masquerading as health solutions. The influence of these groups in the Commission would result in shoddy science; a less abundant, less affordable food supply; greater reliance on foreign adversaries for our food; diminished U.S. agricultural production and manufacturing; and, ultimately, poorer health outcomes.

    President Trump recently stated environmental activists were holding the economic prosperity of our country hostage. We now have concerns that they are seeking to influence the work of the Commission to advance their agenda. For decades activist groups have tried to ban safe, well-regulated agricultural inputs by any means necessary. Without these products, yields and quality are negatively impacted by otherwise avoidable insects, fungus, weeds, and other pest pressures. This drives up food prices for American consumers and forces reliance of food imports.

    The same groups have seized upon the Commission’s work as an opportunity to misrepresent the science on common food and feed categories or ingredients, such as plant-based oils. These inputs are subject to a robust, risk-based regulatory system which focuses on protecting human health. Unfounded accusations harm the U.S. farmers who grow our food, upend food and feed supply chains, and significantly increase grocery food prices – all without public health benefit.

    We have concerns that environmentalists are advancing harmful health, economic, or food security policies under the guise of human health. Despite insinuations to the contrary, regular testing by FDA and USDA finds that more than 99% of all pesticide residues meet extremely conservative limits established by EPA according to the best available science.

    We applaud the Commission’s desire to improve the health and well-being of Americans. We implore you to ensure policy decisions are grounded in sound science and risk-based analyses. With unity, we can protect American agricultural producers from environmental activists’ attacks on proven-safe inputs critical to their profitability and long-term viability while promoting positive health outcomes.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: REPS. LAUREN BOEBERT AND GABE EVANS INTRODUCE CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CREP) IMPROVEMENT ACT

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lauren Boebert (Colorado, 3)

    WASHINGTON D.C.– Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) and Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08) have introduced the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Improvement Act to help ranchers and farmers receive a fairer payment structure from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and responsibly manage water resources in agricultural areas. U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper of Colorado and Dr. Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran of Kansas will be introducing the bipartisan companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

    As ranchers and farmers voluntarily retire farm acreage to comply with conservation requirements, the USDA has supplied CREP participants with payments to make agriculture leaders whole. The CREP Improvement Act makes adjustments to the payment structure that incentivizes more farmers and ranchers to participate and reforms the payment formula to apply retroactively to water and conservation agreements.

    “Our ranchers and farmers are doing everything they can to conserve water while continuing to provide for their families and communities, but the current agreement with the USDA badly needs reform,” said Congresswoman Boebert. “Our CREP Improvement Act has support from both sides of the aisle and is driven by local stakeholders in Colorado who deserve a fair payment structure for retiring their land and ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture interests. This will be a win for ranchers and farmers in Colorado and across America, and I look forward to working with Rep. Evans, and Senators Bennet, Hickenlooper, Marshall, and Moran to pass this legislation through Congress.”

    “The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Improvement (CREP) Act gives Colorado’s hardworking farmers and ranchers a path forward, allowing them the flexibility to voluntarily cut back on water use while keeping our working lands productive. This bill is a smart, bipartisan step toward protecting Colorado’s water and ensuring our agricultural communities remain sustainable for generations to come,” said Congressman Evans.

    “The Colorado Farm Bureau welcomes the reintroduction of the CREP Improvement Act in the House by Congresswoman Boebert. By removing the $50,000 payment limitation, the playing field for additive water conservation and stewardship will be expanded. We’re grateful for the continued leadership of our Colorado delegation on this bill,” said Carlyle Currier, President of the Colorado Farm Bureau.

    “The proposed improvements to the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program are a significant step forward for agricultural communities, especially in eastern Colorado. By increasing flexibility, enhancing incentives, and recognizing the unique needs of our region, this bipartisan legislation supports water conservation, strengthens rural economies, and helps ensure the next generation can thrive in agriculture,” said Rod Lenz, President of the Republican River Water Conservation District. “We appreciate our lawmakers’ continued leadership and commitment to working with producers to protect our most vital resource: water.”

    “We support creating flexibility in the CREP program to reflect local environmental conditions and to meet unique regional conservation goals,” said Chad Franke, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President. “These modifications will allow farmers and rural economies to better manage our most precious resource, water. We thank Senators Bennet, Marshall, Hickenlooper, and Moran as well as Representative Boebert for hearing our concerns and for bringing forward the CREP Improvement Act.”

    The full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    Background:

    The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Improvement Act addresses the unfair payment structure currently used by USDA to compensate ranchers and farmers who have voluntarily retired farmland from production to meet conservation goals and concerns. The bill also expands the types of crops that can be retired and eligible for CREP payments as well as increasing flexibility for how ranchers and farmers can utilize dryland CREP acreage where appropriate.

    The CREP Improvement Act includes: 

    • Explicitly directing USDA to allow dryland agricultural uses on CREP acreage where appropriate;
    • Specifically adding dryland crop production and grazing to the list of appropriate conservation practices for the CREP program;
    • Allowing continuous cropping systems, like alfalfa, to be eligible for drought and water conservation CREP agreements;
    • Ensuring fairer payments to producers by stipulating that annual payments for drought and water conservation CREP agreements will be equal to the difference between the irrigated acre payment rates and the dryland acre payment rates, as determined by USDA. And ensuring that any drought and water conservation agreement that includes the permanent retirement of a water right receives the full irrigated acre payment rate;
    • Making the payment formula retroactive for existing drought and water conservation agreements;
    • Letting producers choose their payment allocations under the program, instead of a fixed payment per year for the 10-15 year contract period; and
    • Waiving CREP payments from the $50,000 annual payment limitation under the Conservation Reserve Program.

    Supportive stakeholders include the Republican River Water Conservation District, the Colorado Farm Bureau, Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, and the Rio Grande Water Conservation District.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Show your Alberta side. Buy Local.

    [. The ‘Buy Local’ campaign, recently launched by Alberta’s government, encourages consumers to eat, drink and buy local to show our unified support for the province’s agriculture and food industry.  

    The government’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign encourages consumers to buy products from Alberta’s hard-working farmers, ranchers and food processors that produce safe, nutritious food for Albertans, Canadians and the world.

    “It’s time to let these hard-working Albertans know we have their back. Now, more than ever, we need to shop local and buy made-in-Alberta products. The next time you are grocery shopping or go out for dinner or a drink with your friends or family, support local to demonstrate your Alberta pride. We are pleased tariffs don’t impact the ag industry right now and will keep advocating for our ag industry.”

    RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

    Alberta’s government supports consumer choice. We are providing tools to help folks easily identify Alberta- and Canadian-made foods and products. Choosing local products keeps Albertans’ hard-earned dollars in our province. Whether it is farm-fresh vegetables, potatoes, honey, craft beer, frozen food or our world-renowned beef, Alberta has an abundance of fresh foods produced right on our doorstep.

    Quick facts

    • This summer, Albertans can support local at more than 150 farmers’ markets across the province and meet the folks who make, bake and grow our food. 
    • In March 2023, the Alberta government launched the ‘Made in Alberta’ voluntary food and beverage labelling program to support local agriculture and food sectors.
    • Through direct connections with processors, the program has created the momentum to continue expanding consumer awareness about the ‘Made in Alberta’ label to help shoppers quickly identify foods and beverages produced in our province.

    Related information

    • Buy Local Alberta
    • Made in Alberta Product Catalogue
    • Alberta Agri-Food Products and Services Export Catalogue

    Multimedia

    • Watch the Minister’s ‘Buy Local’ video
    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Government invests more than £45 million in groundbreaking technologies to boost Britain’s food security

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Government invests more than £45 million in groundbreaking technologies to boost Britain’s food security

    More funding for farmers to increase profits, boost food production and protect nature

    New inventions and technologies to increase profits, boost food production and help protect nature have been handed a major cash injection, the government has announced today (14 April).
       
    From robots carrying out delicate fruit picking, to health monitors for cows and sheep, right through to variable irrigation systems to maximise water usage on crops – these grants support the development of wide-range projects and products which will help a large number of farmers.  
       
    The three special funds, worth a combined £45.6 million, will support multiple projects across the research and development (R&D) lifecycle, from early-stage concepts to on-farm trials.

    They will help bring cutting-edge technologies into real-world use with a particular focus on reducing on-farm emissions and capitalising on new opportunities made possible by the Precision Breeding Act, which could supercharge food production by increase crop yields, reduce pesticides and enhance disease resistance.   

    These funds will help to strengthen food security, increase farmers’ profits and protect nature as part of the government’s Plan for Change.   

    Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said:   

    This government is serious about delivering its Plan for Change.  

    That is why I’m delighted to see money getting out the door to British farmers. This £45m will support them with technology to boost food production, profits and the rural economy.

    From 28 April, applications will open for the new Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) competition, which will commit up to £20.6 million of funding in 25/26. This grant will support farmers looking to test new technologies on their own farms and bridge the gap between innovation and real-world application.     

    Farmers can access tailored advice and apply for a £2,500 support grant at the ADOPT Support Hub to help them through the application and trial process.  

    From 5 May, two further competitions will open under the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP):  

    • The first £12.5 million to support collaborative research into ways to reduce on-farm emissions, helping farms to become more sustainable and climate-resilient.  

    • The second £12.5 million competition will fund R&D using precision-bred crops to improve yield, reduce chemical inputs and enhance disease resistance. This builds on the new opportunities enabled by the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.  

    FIP, Defra’s flagship innovation programme, is delivered by Innovate UK, as part of UKRI, and forms part of the government’s wider commitment to food production and security, farm productivity and nature.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –