Congress Reimburses Commodity Credit Corporation

After Senate passage earlier that day, President Trump on Sept. 30 signed the continuing resolution to keep the government funded through Dec. 11. The CR also provides a much-needed reimbursement to the Commodity Credit Corporation. Funds from the CCC support farm programs ranging from conservation to risk management.

 

“For years, funding the CCC has been a bipartisan commitment. While we were disappointed it recently became a political flashpoint, we are pleased lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize that these funds help to sustain conservation programs and stock America’s pantry. I would be remiss if I did not also thank the Farm Bureau members across the country who let their elected leaders know how important the farm safety net is to the future of U.S. agriculture. We are grateful farmers’ voices were heard,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said upon House passage of the continuing resolution on Sept. 22.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.