ConAgra Foods is the latest to say it will use labels disclosing the presence of genetically modified organisms in its food nationwide. Other food giants, including General Mills, Campbell Soup, Mars and Kellogg have made similar decisions regarding GMO labeling across the country. Pro Farmers First Thing Today reports the labeling decisions are in response to the Vermont law that will require such labeling starting in July. ConAgra explained that it believes consumers should be informed as to what is in their food and that addressing labeling for Vermont, only, would be a costly affair. ConAgra says that with other states currently considering different labeling requirements, “the need for a national, uniform approach in this area is as critical as ever.”

An economist with USDA says if Congress lifts the embargo on U.S. trade with Cuba, the nation could become like the Dominican Republic regarding exports. Bryce Cooke of USDA’s Economic Research Service told the Hagstrom Report both Cuba and the Dominican Republic are similar in geography, population size and high literacy rates. Between 2013 and 2015, U.S. exports to the Dominican Republic averaged $1.2 billion while averaging $262 million to Cuba. The Dominican Republic depends on the United States for 45 percent of its food, while Cuba gets only 20 percent of its food from the United States. If the embargo is lifted, he added, Cuba would most likely export horticultural products, tobacco, and perhaps sugar. His comments come as President Obama was leaving the island nation of Cuba, wrapping up the first visit by a U.S. President to Cuba in 88 years.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the recent GMO labeling announcement by General Mills is “an indication of why we need a national approach.” Vilsack told the Hagstrom Report that the lack of a national standard will create confusion. General Mills revealed last week the company will label all of its products in accordance with the Vermont labeling law taking effect in July. General Mills CEO Jeff Harmening made the announcement just two days after a Senate bill to ban state labeling laws failed to get the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture. Harmening wrote that as discussion continues in Washington, food production companies, such as General Mills, must work to comply with the Vermont law or face significant fines.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says checkoff groups can promote U.S. agriculture in Cuba. While in Cuba with President Obama, Secretary Vilsack announced USDA will allow the 22 industry-funded Research and Promotion Programs and 18 Marketing Order organizations to conduct authorized research and information exchange activities with Cuba. These groups, which are responsible for creating bonds with consumers and businesses around the world, will be able to engage in cooperative research and information exchanges with Cuba about agricultural productivity, food security and sustainable natural resource management. Secretary Vilsack called the announcement “a significant step forward in strengthening our bond and broadening agricultural trade between the United States and Cuba.” In 2014, Cuba imported over $2 billion in agricultural products including $300 million from the United States. However, from 2014 to 2015, U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba fell 48 percent to $148.9 million, the lowest since 2002, giving the United States just a 10 percent market share as Cuba’s fourth largest agricultural supplier, behind the EU, Brazil, and Argentina.