Farms.com Home › News

Secretary Naig Comments on EPA’s Amended Waters of the United States Rule

Aug 30, 2023

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig released the following statement today after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an amended Waters of the United States rule:

“The Supreme Court made it abundantly clear in Sackett v EPA that the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers overstepped their legal authority and therefore must re-work their overly broad, confusing and burdensome Waters of the United States rule. Unfortunately, while this latest amendment does include some positive movement, the amended rule continues to overreach resulting in uncertainty. I would encourage the Biden Administration to head back to the drawing board, listen to stakeholders from Iowa and across the country and finally fix the rule.”

Source : iowaagriculture.gov

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.