The Ag Retailers Associations says Friday’s court decision to strike down tighter anhydrous ammonia restrictions will save U.S. retailers an estimated $100 million in compliance costs. A U.S. appeals court ruled against the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, known as OSHA, because the Administration violated the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Last year, OSHA issued a memo redefining the retail facility exemption to the Process Safety Management Standard without seeking industry input. The appeals court ruled OSHA should have posted for public comment the proposed changes to the PSM standard. Process Safety Management applies to any facility storing 10,000 pounds or more of anhydrous ammonia. However, retail agriculture facilities selling more than 50 percent of the fertilizer to farmers have been exempt from PSM. OSHA’s 2015 memo eliminated the exemption.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the U.S. Department of Agriculture needs more funding to continue distributing aid to farmers hit by low commodity prices. Vilsack said last week “hopefully with the continuing resolution, we can take a look at what additional steps we might be able to provide” to farmers and the agriculture industry. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, introduced a stopgap funding measure last week that would also accelerate reimbursement funding for USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation, a USDA-run entity that helps farmers endure unstable market prices by providing loans and purchasing surplus commodities. Pro Farmer’s First Thing Today reports President Barack Obama requested the provision in August, saying the Commodity Credit Corporation would exceed its $30 billion borrowing limit during the period of the continuing resolution and needed its annual reimbursement moved forward to continue operating.

A group of state agriculture directors says the next farm bill could offer relief to farmers in the midst of lower commodity prices and lower farm income. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture met in Nebraska last week. Politico reports members mulled over issues including dairy prices, water quality issues and disaster relief funding as farm bill priorities for the group. NASDA expects to finalize its farm bill priority list early next year. The group discussed adding a title to the farm bill related to land transition. South Carolina Agriculture Secretary Hugh Weathers said “if getting new people into farming is seen as that vital, then it has a place in the farm bill,” in regards to helping new farmers get farmland. Vermont Agriculture Commissioner Chuck Ross added “Capitol Hill tends to listen to state agriculture officials when it comes to the farm bill,” that’s because nearly all of NASDA’s priorities for the 2014 Farm Bill were included in the final legislation.

Agriculture groups, including the American Soybean Association, are asking the U.S. Commerce Department to assist in finding a quick resolution to the Hanjin (Han-gin) Shipping Company bankruptcy. A letter to the Commerce Department expressed concern and anxiety among shippers, as to when the South Korea-based shipper would be allowed to enter ports, if their goods will be seized by Hanjin’s creditors once they are docked and the status of cargo that remains at overseas ports. South Korea said Friday it appears the company had built up enough cash to unload goods. At the beginning of this month, Hanjin filed for bankruptcy. By mid-month, the International Longshoremen’s Association refused to work Hanjin containers at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports because of Hanjin’s debts. Other agricultural groups signing onto the letter include the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Grain & Feed Association, the National Pork Producers Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

The Heritage Foundation last week released its most sweeping critique of U.S. agriculture policy, according to Politico. The foundation called on Congress to revamp its approach to crop insurance, food stands, renewable fuels and trade. The 148-page report calls on Congress to eliminate the Renewable Fuels Standard along with trade-stifling tariffs and tariff rate quotas. The report also criticizes Congress for subsidizing cotton producers, a move the Foundation says opens the U.S. to World Trade Organization disputes, and for acting slowly to stop country of origin labeling for meat. While Politico reports many of the suggestions may never be realized, the report could influence some conservative members of Congress to eliminate support for farmers to balance the budget. Agriculture leaders in the House and Senate insist the current Farm Bill will not be reopened, and consideration of the next Farm Bill are sometime in 2017.

China on Friday announced anti-dumping duties on U.S. distillers ‘dried grains, or DDGs, shipped by two U.S. suppliers. The 33.8 percent duties are effectively immediately against Louis Dreyfus and Archer Daniels Midland. There’s no word on a final decision, but the duties stem from a months-long investigation by China following complaints that the U.S. was unfairly benefiting from subsidies, according to Pro Farmer’s First Thing Today. China is the world’s top buyer of DDGs, a by-product of corn ethanol. China imports almost all of its DDGs from the United States, the largest exporter. Trade experts fear the final decision regarding the duties on DDGs could be even higher than the one issued Friday.

Vice President Joe Biden said last week the chances for Congress to approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal were slim. Biden said he sees a “less than even chance” that the U.S. Congress approves the 12-country trade pact before the next administration takes office in January, according to Fortune Magazine. Biden made the remarks while speaking to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. He says the brief lame-duck session is “our only real shot” for approving TPP. The trade deal is the final cornerstone of the Obama administration as the President is pressing Congress to approve the agreement. However, with both presidential candidates speaking out against the trade deal, Congress has been reluctant to consider TPP. Leadership of the House and Senate say there will not be a vote on TPP this year, and that there may not be enough votes in the House to approve the trade deal. Other countries are holding out on approval, pending action by the United States.