North Dakota Democrat, Senator Heidi Heitkamp this week endorsed Agriculture Secretary nominee Sonny Perdue. Heitkamp is the first Democrat in the Senate to endorse President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Agriculture. Heitkamp, who was also reportedly considered for the post, met with Perdue earlier this week and says she looks forward to confirming him to the cabinet position. Heitkamp backed 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton over Trump, and says she discussed trade with Cuba during her 45-minute meeting with Perdue, according to The Hill. The Agriculture Committee has not yet scheduled a confirmation hearing for Perdue, who served as Georgia’s governor from 2003 to 2011. However, a confirmation hearing for Perdue is expected sometime later this month.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Pork Producers Council are calling on President Donald Trump to begin trade talks with Japan. In a joint letter to the White House, NCBA and NPPC asked the President to “initiate free trade agreement negotiations with nations in the Asia-Pacific region beginning with Japan.” The letter was separate from a similar letter regarding trade sent to the President by more than 80 agriculture groups. The letter comes as Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s (sheen-zoh ah-bay) will visit the United States on Friday to meet with President Trump. NCBA President Craig Uden (you-den) says: “A successful, comprehensive agreement with Japan would result in one of the greatest trade agreements for the U.S. pork and beef industries and for many other sectors.” For U.S. beef and pork exports, Japan is the highest value international market.

More than 80 agriculture groups signed off on a letter to President Donald Trump Tuesday, calling on the administration to reduce and eliminate tariffs and other restrictive agricultural policies in the Asia-Pacific region. By doing so, the agriculture groups say the move would allow American workers to supply Asian markets with high-quality food and agricultural goods. President Trump has signed an executive order removing the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement with Asia-Pacific countries, preventing billions of dollars in added exports for U.S. agriculture. In the letter, the farm groups say: “We hope your Administration will create such opportunities for our sector by deepening U.S. economic engagement in this critical region, while responding to the Asia-only regional trade agreements being negotiated by our foreign competitors.” The groups go on to say that 95 percent of agriculture’s potential customers live outside of the United States borders, and that “expanding access to international markets is essential” to the success of the industry.

The Department of Agriculture has delayed the Farmer Fair Practices Rules under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act until April, 22nd. The delay allows time for the new Donald Trump administration to review the rules and is part of a White House order on government regulations. USDA claims the rules announced in December by the Obama administration seek to end harmful practices against farmers, and outlines protections to restore fairness and reduce the burden for farmers seeking justice under the Act. After having been delayed and obstructed for the past seven years, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says “it’s time to end the unnecessary delays” to the rule. Farmers Union is urging the Trump administration to complete the review process as quickly as possible. Opponents, however say the rule will lead to a flurry of lawsuits because of lighter proof requirements for competitive injury. USDA will accept comment on the rules until March 24th.

The national GMO labeling law passed by Congress may avoid the Donald Trump administration executive order against government regulations. The executive order calls for two regulations to be removed from the books for every regulation enacted in 2017. As Politico speculates, the GMO labeling law would be exempt from the order because it’s not projected to be completed until 2018. Although the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Act, which created the labeling law, is not out of the woods yet as Trump could choose to extend the executive order into 2018. Further complicating the GMO labeling law, the bill set a deadline for the Department of Agriculture to release rules for complying with the law by July 29th, 2018. The legislation requires the law to go into effect if the rulemaking process is not completed by that date. USDA was working to implement the law with an Advanced Notice of Proposed rulemaking this year, but those plans have been delayed because of the executive order.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, a Texas Republican, says he wants to finish the next farm bill this year. The current farm bill does not expire until the end of 2018, but Conaway has asked House leadership regarding the possibility of floor time this year. House Ag Committee Ranking Democrat Collin Peterson of Minnesota says he would also like to complete the farm bill this year. But a majority of lobbyists said in a poll week they expect Congress will not finish the farm bill until 2019, and think lawmakers will spend 10 percent below the current legislation. Speaking via video to the Crop Insurance Annual Conference Monday, Conaway said crop insurance is not working for farmers. Meanwhile, speaking in person at the Southwest Ag Issues Conference, Conaway said farmers are hurting, and that he is committed to providing farmers a strong farm bill, according to the nonprofit coalition Farm Policy Facts. The Senate Agriculture Committee has set its first farm bill field hearing for February 23rd in Manhattan, Kansas.

Secretary of Agriculture Nominee Sonny Perdue has received the endorsement from former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Perdue is the only cabinet nominee to secure the support of his predecessor in the Obama administration. Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement Tuesday that Perdue “knows full well the opportunities and challenges that exist in rural communities.” Vilsack says he’s had the opportunity to work with Governor Perdue, in detailing Perdue’s commitment to farmers and ranchers, “regardless of size of production method.” President Donald Trump selected Perdue as his Agriculture Secretary nominee just before Inauguration Day. Perdue’s Senate confirmation hearings are expected in mid to late February.

The U.S. dairy industry is urging governors from 25 dairy-producing states to take action against a policy by Canada that they say could hinder trade of dairy products between the U.S. and Canada. In a letter to the 25 states, 17 dairy companies said: “Canada plans to proceed with expanding its harmful use of dairy policies to impede trade by implementing a new national ingredients strategy pricing program.” The program, starting today (February 1), will allow domestic processors to purchase skim milk powder, liquid skim milk, liquid milk protein concentrates and other products at the lowest market price in the U.S., EU and Oceania for the next seven years, according to Politico. Last month, U.S. dairy organizations and state departments of agriculture across the country sent a similar letter to President Donald Trump that said Canada’s protectionist policies are in direct violation of its trade commitments under the North American Free Trade Agreement and the World Trade Organization.