NASDA News March 5, 2007

House Agriculture Committee Adopts Budget Letter
Published: March 05, 2007

The House Agriculture Committee adopted last week the budget views and estimates letter which outlines the committee's budget recommendations for the federal agencies and programs under its jurisdiction. The letter outlines the funding issues at the forefront of the upcoming farm bill reauthorization. The letter will be submitted to Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt (D-S.C.) pursuant to House rules.

"Our action represents an early step on our road to the development of the 2007 farm bill," House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) said. "Because the budget resolution will, in effect, determine the amount of funding we will have to write the farm bill, its shape and form will have a crucial impact on our work. Our proposed views and estimates letter sends these messages: the 2002 farm bill is fiscally responsible. It is popular in farm country. And it is serving to enhance the well-being of our farmers, ranchers, needy citizens, and consumers."

"We urge the Budget Committee to carefully consider the budget views and estimates letter we are submitting and not solely base their decision on projected baselines. We're asking that they not turn their backs on America's farmers and ranchers and provide the Agriculture Committee with the funds needed to address the wide variety of issues facing Rural America," said Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).

The letter to Budget Chairman Spratt shares the views of the House Agriculture Committee following the series of field hearings held by the committee last year to meet with farmers and ranchers across America, as well as processors and consumers, about current farm policies and where they can be improved. Peterson and Goodlatte previously testified before the Budget Committee on February 14, 2007, about the positive feedback they received from the field hearings.

This year's farm bill debate will include new proposals that will require additional resources from the Budget Committee, including a strong energy title, essential to facilitate investments in the expanding agriculturally-based renewable energy market, including ethanol and biodiesel. The letter also states that the committee likely will consider proposals that may affect budget allocations in the areas of specialty crops, conservation, food stamps, and the Milk Income Loss Contract program.

A copy of the budget and estimates letter is available on the committee website at http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/publications.html. Each member of the committee will have an opportunity to submit additional views before the letter is filed on March 5. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)

NASDA Highlights Farm Bill Recommendations Support For Revamping Invasives Species Programs
Published: March 05, 2007

Global trade is an U.S. policy and under current policy will continue to increase. Mirroring the increases in trade and travel are increases in detecting foreign pests infesting or infecting U.S. crops, animals, parks, range and grass lands, forests and other ecosystems. While these introductions are an unintended consequence of global trade and travel, they are also, in essence, an undeclared import--one that creates an imbalance in trade that is currently being borne unfairly within the U.S. economy. The cost of the currently minimal effort to reduce the effects of this problem is not being borne by those who directly profit from the increased global trade. Lacking a program that adequately deals with the removal, eradication, or long-term mitigation of these pests, U.S. taxpayers will continue to suffer, either through environmental degradation and the loss of agricultural productivity (and competitiveness) from under funded activities needed to deal with these unintended, but costly, consequences of global trade. Due to the diverse nature of American Agriculture, the States are in the best position to implement programs consistent with federal goals.

Despite the adoption of the Uruguay Round Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, a number of WTO member countries continue to impose SPS measures which lack a sound scientific basis. These questionable measures create barriers to market access abroad for U.S. agricultural products. Lack of enforcement of basic SPS measures in other countries coupled with inadequate border and port inspections will have devastating economic consequences for U.S. agricultural producers. Harmonization of SPS measures and Technical Barriers to Trade are also important goals.

Safeguarding Principles have been added to the responsibilities of Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service's (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) and Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ). These responsibilities have become the organizing principles for VS, PPQ, and concurrent state programs. State and federal cooperation is imperative in obtaining the desired results. Many program responsibilities have changed or been modified since 9/11.

Key Recommended Actions:

• Fully fund existing ED/RR and related programs and examine new funding mechanisms and programs to help reduce new exotic pest/disease incursions of national significance. 
• Create streamlined programs for early detection and subsequent emergency program funding for rapid response and the eradication of pests/diseases including noxious weeds and non-native insect pests, pathogens and diseases of plants and animals.
• Expand domestic pest and disease detection and surveillance activities by providing block grants to states. Increase support to APHIS for offshore safeguarding efforts. 
• Reassign cargo inspection (pest exclusion) to APHIS, the agency responsible for managing exotic pests that has the expertise and communication system to carry out a focused and effective agricultural safeguarding effort at U.S. borders. 
• In seeking to expand market access and liberalize world trade in agriculture, conduct formal risk assessments and focus intensified inspections on the countries and traded items that present the most severe risk to importation of pests and diseases.
• Ensure adequate staffing and resources as well as directed focus of port personnel can protect and prevent damage to domestic U.S agriculture as trade is liberalized.
• Provide funding to obtain a peer review of the procedures and standards that govern programs used to safeguard plants and animals.

NASDA is presenting farm bill highlights each week in NASDA News as Congress gears up for consideration of the 2007 farm bill. NASDA's recommendations and a summary of highlights are posted on the NASDA website--click on the farm bill icon to access more information on NASDA's efforts. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff or Bob Ehart)

Subcommittee Conducts Hearing On Usda Farm Bill Proposals On Specialty Crops And Organic Agriculture
Published: March 05, 2007

The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture held a hearing last week to review the USDA's farm bill proposals regarding specialty crops and organic agriculture. Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.) is chairman of the subcommittee.

USDA Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner testified on behalf of the USDA. Both the House Agriculture Committee and the USDA agree that specialty crops have been under-represented in previous farm bills. Specialty crop producers have requested not to have subsidies and instead prefer support for sanitary and phytosanitary research to address trade issues which is among several issues of concern.

The USDA proposal includes provisions under the trade, nutrition, rural development, energy, and research titles of the farm bill. Among the tools to be used to help producers are additional funds for competitive grants, priority consideration for value-added programs, and a greater presence in international standard-setting bodies for trade. USDA did not include a stipulation for the Specialty Crop Block Grant program because the current program is authorized through FY09. Since it is a relatively new program, USDA did not include such a new program until further information has accumulated.

Another issue that is on the table is the planting prohibition provision. This is the restriction on planting fruits, vegetables and wild rice on program crop base acres. USDA is proposing that the planting prohibition be repealed in the 2007 farm bill but the Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Cardoza urged caution on elimination of the planting prohibition.

For more information, visit the House Committee on Agriculture's website at http://www.agriculture.house.gov to see opening statements and testimony. (Contacts: Casey Wong-Buehler and Jennifer Yezak)

Immigration Reform Under Consideration At Senate Hearing
Published: March 05, 2007

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing last week to discuss comprehensive immigration reform. One of Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy's (D-Vt.) goals was to seek a commitment from Secretaries Carlos Gutierrez, Department of Commerce, and Michael Chertoff, Department of Homeland Security, for administration support on the upcoming Senate comprehensive immigration reform legislation being drafted by Senators Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.). Kennedy mentioned that they will need the administration's support to advance any measure and that legislation could be introduced as early as this week.

The comprehensive immigration reform legislation is expected to be comparable to the comprehensive immigration reform measure that passed the Senate last year with an added provision that would create a guest worker program. Leahy stated that "without the administration's earnest engagement on this issue, our efforts are likely to suffer the same fate they did last year."

In his opening remarks, Leahy briefly commented on dairy farming in Vermont. The senator mentioned how it was a way of life and how the United States' agricultural economy depends on the millions of dollars that dairy farmers bring into Vermont annually. He also discussed how Vermont dairies are depending on an estimated 2,000 foreign workers and stated that the needs to do better with immigrant labor. In addition to Leahy's remarks, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) mentioned she would prefer to tackle the comprehensive issue in smaller parts. She proposed beginning with a bill addressing agricultural workers, an industry that depends on immigration, and then addressing other sectors such as education.

In other news related to immigration reform, Craig J. Regelbrugge, senior director of government relations for the American Nursery and Landscape Association, provided an industry perspective on agriculture and immigration reform to the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum held last week. One of Regelbrugge's main focus areas was the "Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act," or commonly known as AgJOBS. First introduced in 2003, AgJOBS has been reintroduced in the 110th Congress as S. 340 and H.R. 371. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Larry Craig (R-Idaho) introduced S. 340 on January 18 and the bill has 24 cosponsors. H.R. 371 was introduced on January 10 by Reps. Howard Berman (D-Calif.) and Chris Cannon (R-Utah) and the bill as 21 cosponsors.

AgJOBS is a two-part proposal with a "long term solution" and a "transition strategy." The long-term component is H-2A reform. The transition strategy is an "earned adjustment" program. It would provide experienced farm workers, who are unauthorized to earn legal status over a period of years subject to strict conditions, expanded legalization opportunities provided they make a commitment to continue in the agriculture industry for a period of three to five years. AgJOBS is supported by numerous producer associations who are actively engaged in labor-intensive agriculture.

Regelbrugge commented on labor and the USDA's role. He pointed out that the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) had announced earlier this year the termination of its Farm Labor Survey Program as a result of budget restraints. This survey is considered the sole source of federal statistics on farm employment and wages. "This program is in great need in such a critical time in the agriculture industry," he added.

For details on the entire Agriculture Outlook Forum, you may visit http://www.usda.gov/oce/forum/index.htm. (Contacts: Blake Patton and Jennifer Yezak)

Pelosi Announces Disaster Assistance Package At The National Farmers Union Convention
Published: March 05, 2007

As reported on the website of the National Farmers Union (NFU) late last week, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) told an audience of more than 500 family farmers and ranchers that this month's House Appropriations supplemental bill will include disaster relief for agriculture producers. In her keynote address to NFU members at the 105th annual convention, Pelosi drew wild applause when she announced the inclusion of disaster assistance in the legislation, which is expected before the House later this month.

"I know that agricultural disaster assistance is chief among your key priorities. It is a key priority for us as well," Pelosi said. "We recognize the pressing, urgent need to provide agricultural disaster assistance to our rural communities in times of flood, drought and other natural disasters. That is why I'm proud to announce that emergency disaster assistance will be included in our supplemental bill."

Pelosi's remarks corresponded largely with NFU's convention theme, "Feeding the World. Fueling the Future," with a strong emphasis on increasing the use of renewable energy.

"Energy independence is a national security issue, it is an environmental issue, and it is an economic issue for our country and for America's families," Pelosi said. "It can be an economic solution for America's farmers."

In addition, NFU members had a chance to voice their concerns and hear from House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) who was joined by Reps. Thad McCotter (R-Mich.)., Kenny Hulsof (R-Mo.), and Jon Porter (R-Nev.) on a panel to discuss the 2007 farm bill. Peterson said this farm bill will be written in an open process through the agriculture committee, with everyone given a chance to offer input. "That's how we do things in Minnesota and that's how we should do it in the rest of the country," Peterson said. "This farm bill will be written for farmers, not agri-business." Support for increasing the use and production of fuels from the farm was discussed by both the Congressional members and NFU convention delegates.

Porter expressed his support for permanent disaster legislation. "You need disaster relief that is reasonable and available," Porter said. The panel also discussed trade agreements, food safety and security, dairy programs, country-of-origin labeling and specialty crop programs.

More information about the convention can be located at NFU's homepage at http://www.nfu.org/. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)

Secretary Johanns Meets With Mexican Officials And Renews U.S.-Mexico Consultative Committee On Agriculture
Published: March 05, 2007

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns announced his travel to Mexico City this week, to discuss final implementation provisions of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Agriculture Secretary Alberto Cardenas and Economy Secretary Eduardo Sojo, and to renew the U.S-Mexico Consultative Committee on Agriculture (CCA). "United States and Mexico have already benefited tremendously from the free trade provisions of NAFTA and we look forward to full implementation of the agreement," said Johanns.

Since implementation of the NAFTA in 1994, two-way agricultural trade with Mexico has risen from $6 billion to more than $20 billion in 2006. Since the first CCA was signed in 2002, U.S. and Mexican agricultural exports to each other have been rising close to $1 billion per year. Under NAFTA, the United States and Mexico have carried out a broad range of cooperative activities and initiatives aimed at smoothing the transition to free and open trade. Since 2005, the United States has invested nearly $20 million in programs and technical exchanges to assist Mexico in addressing production, distribution, and marketing related challenges.

The results of this meeting will be important as NASDA members plan to participate in the 17th Annual Tri-National Agricultural Accord, April 18 to 21, 2007, in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. NASDA members will meet with Mexican state secretaries of agriculture and Canadian provincial ministers of agriculture on mutual issues of concern including, among others, trade, sanitary, and phytosanitary standards and rural development. Additional information about the Accord meeting can be located at http://www.nasda.org/Accord/index_en.htm. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak)

Agricultural Law Officer Chosen For National Award
Published: March 05, 2007

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has announced that an officer in his department has been chosen Police Officer of the Month by a prestigious national organization.

Officer Keith Klopfer was selected Officer of the Month for February by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Klopfer, who is assigned to the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement's K-9 Unit in Jacksonville, was honored for apprehending numerous criminal suspects trying to enter or leave Florida at the I-95 Interdiction Station in Jacksonville, participating in search-and-rescue missions after five hurricanes in 2004 and 2005, and rescuing a motorist from a vehicle that was covered with live electric wires following an accident in the Gainesville area.

"We are very proud of Keith and commend him for receiving this special honor," Bronson said. "His selfless dedication to his work and the citizens of Florida exemplifies what service to others is all about."

Klopfer, who has been with Bronson's Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement for nearly 8 years, will be honored at a lunch in Washington, D.C. next spring. (Contact: Terence McElroy, 850/488-3022)

Coastal Agriculture Pitches In On Coho Conservation Plan
Published: March 05, 2007

Farmers along the Oregon Coast are stepping to the plate and taking measures to improve fish habitat. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is doing what it can to help them be successful. With the development of a State of Oregon conservation plan for coastal coho salmon , the combined energy of agencies and landowners will be needed to restore fish to sustainable levels. ODA and the agriculture industry continue to believe voluntary efforts will be the most effective way to achieve positive results.

"The Oregon Coast Coho Conservation Plan is a monumental multi-agency effort," says Oregon Agriculture Director Katy Coba. "Agriculture's willingness to be proactive in addressing the issues is precedent-setting. If successful, what is done on the coast will be used in other basins around the state where fish populations need to be restored."

The ultimate goal is to create a healthy, sustainable environment, economy, and coastal community through a plan that will build up the coho salmon population. Agriculture has been a consistent partner in dealing with these types of issues through its participation in the larger Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Through ODA regulatory programs like Senate Bill 1010--which establishes agricultural water quality management plans and rules--and the Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Program, management practices and projects have taken place to protect and improve water quality throughout the state, not just the coast. Enabling voluntary efforts by coastal farmers and other private landowners will hopefully bring even more positive results and keep the coho salmon from being listed as a threatened or endangered species by the federal government.

"It's important for agriculture to look for opportunities to manage its land, both in the interest of agriculture and in trying to help the coho," says Ray Jaindl, administrator of ODA's Natural Resources Division . "ODA plans on being a facilitator and an advocate for the industry."

ODA has hired Karla Kay Edwards to work with agriculture to see what can be done proactively to further diminish the possibility of coho being listed in the future.

Steps taken by agriculture to address water quality issues include providing better streambank stability by planting streamside vegetation, which controls erosion and also keeps water cool. By making vegetative improvements, the farm operators are also improving habitat for fish. ODA and the agriculture industry in general are committed to being proactive in looking for other opportunities to improve fish habitat.

Soil and water conservation districts partner with ODA to play a big role in providing the hands-on technical expertise to help landowners with specific projects. ODA will advocate for a higher level of funding and support to SWCDs, watershed councils, local conservation groups, and directly to landowners in order to promote successful results. ODA, through Edwards, will carry back specific needs and concerns from the agriculture community to other natural resource agencies that are involved in the coho conservation plan. Landowner outreach and education will also be a cornerstone of ODA's part of the plan. The emphasis, however, will continue to be on voluntary cooperation. (Contact: Karla Kay Edwards, 503/986-4715)