NASDA News--Nov. 10, 2008

ELECTION BRINGS CHANGES TO AGRICULTURE COMMITTEES
Published: November 10, 2008

       The November 4 elections will bring membership changes to both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. Lawmakers will hold organizational meetings the week of November 17 and begin the process of making committee assignments.
       House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) easily won reelection, as did Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.). However, Goodlatte may have to step down from his post because of committee term limits under Republican rules. Seven current committee members did not win their reelection bids: Reps. Nancy Boyda (D-Kan.), Nick Lampson (D-Texas), Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.), Robin Hayes (R-N.C.), Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.), Randy Kuhl (R-N.Y.), and Tim Walberg (R-Mich.). Rep. Terry Everett (R-Ala.) is retiring and did not run for reelection.
       Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) easily won his reelection bid, but the race for Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) remained uncertain and too close to call at press time. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) was defeated for reelection and Sen. Norm Coleman's (R-Minn.) race was also uncertain and appeared to be heading for a recount at press time. All other committee members were reelected.  (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

EPA ISSUES FINAL RULE FOR CONCENTRATED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS (CAFOs)
Published: November 10, 2008

       The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on October 31 issued final regulations on Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting requirements for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The agency has been working on the regulations since 2003 which will set new pollution prevention standards for CAFO operations.
       The regulation requires that an owner or operator of a CAFO that actually discharges to streams, lakes, and other waters must apply for a permit under the Clean Water Act. If a farmer designs, constructs, operates, and maintains their facility such that a discharge will occur, a permit is needed. EPA is also providing an opportunity for CAFO operators who do not discharge or propose to discharge to show their commitment to pollution prevention by obtaining certification as zero dischargers.
       For the first time, EPA is requiring a nutrient management plan (NMP) for manure to be submitted as part of a CAFO's Clean Water Act permit application. Previous rules required a CAFO operator to use an NMP for controlling manure, but the new regulation builds on that by requiring the NMP to be submitted with the permit application. The plan will be reviewed by the permitting authority and conditions based on it will be incorporated as enforceable terms of the permit. The proposed NMP and permit will be available for public review and comment before going final. In addition, the final rule includes technical clarifications regarding water quality-based effluent limitations and use of best management practices to meet zero discharge requirements.
       EPA worked closely with the USDA during the development of the rule and will work closely with states during implementation. The rule deadline for newly defined facilities to apply for permits is February 27, 2009. Information on the concentrated animal feeding operation rule is available on EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/npdes/caforule.  (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

GAO LISTS TOP "URGENT ISSUES" FOR NEXT PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS; UNVEILS NEW TRANSITION WEBSITE
Published: November 10, 2008

       Acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro released a list of 13 urgent issues the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has identified as among those needing the attention of President-Elect Obama and the 111th Congress during the transition and the first year of the new administration and Congress. The list is the centerpiece of a new website GAO launched Thursday that is designed to help make the transition an informed and smooth one across the federal government.  Food safety, preparing for large-scale health emergencies, protecting the homeland, and surface transportation are included on the GAO list.
       In addition, the new GAO website (http://www.gao.gov/transition_2009) will include sections on: agency-by-agency issues, major cost-saving opportunities (GAO discusses about 50 such opportunities), management challenges across the government, and long-term fiscal outlook.
       GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, helps meet legislators' need for timely and reliable information on a wide range of government activities. The agency seeks to improve the performance of the federal government and hold it accountable to Congress and, ultimately, the American people. GAO examines the use of public funds; evaluates how well programs and policies are meeting their objectives; and provides analyses, recommendations, and other assistance to help Congress make sound oversight, policy, and funding decisions.  (Contact:  Bob Ehart, Charlie Ingram, or Amy Mann)

NEW FARM AND RANCH ONLINE PLANNING TOOL
Published: November 10, 2008

       USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) has launched an online resource to aid farmers and ranchers in focusing on how to protect against downside risks, as well as how best to take advantage of upside opportunities in the market.
       The new resource, a sub-site of the RMA website called Farm-Risk-Plans.USDA.gov, allows producers to complete a risk management checklist, identify their enterprise's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and explore a wealth of risk management information.  The new resource features four modules: Risk Management Planning, Better Marketing Planning, New Enterprise Planning, and the Farm Planning Library. Each contains the best available information, consolidating resources from leading Land Grant Universities and government agencies.
       The team that developed this project together over the past year includes farmers, Extension educators, and risk management education consultants, as well as the head of the National Agricultural Law Center at the University of Arkansas and RMA professionals. The website may be accessed at http://Farm-Risk-Plans.USDA.gov.  (Contact:  Amy Mann)

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE LAUNCHES COOL LISTSERV
Published: November 10, 2008

       The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has launched a country-of-origin labeling (COOL) listserv. The listserv will notify subscribers of significant additions to the all inclusive, information-packed COOL website. Interested parties can sign up for this automatic notification service by following the link to registration information at http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool.
       The new COOL listserv will provide the benefit of reaching out to subscribers with immediate updates and help retailers to more easily achieve compliance with COOL requirements in a cost-effective manner. To subscribe to the COOL listserv, go to http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool.
       For more information about COOL, contact the Livestock and Seed Program's Standards, Analysis and Technology Branch Chief Martin O'Connor at 202/720-4486.  (Contact:  Amy Mann)

SCHAFER APPOINTS AGRICULTURAL AIR QUALITY TASK FORCE
Published: November 10, 2008

       Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer recently announced the renewal of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force and the selection of the members for the two-year, 2008 to 2010 term. The task force is chaired by the chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and comprises USDA employees, industry representatives, and other experts in the fields of agriculture and air quality.
       "This task force serves a very important role because conservation of our natural resources, including protecting air quality, is particularly vital to our farmers and ranchers who depend on these resources to produce our nation's food and fiber." Schafer said.
       The role of the task force is to advise the Agriculture Secretary on issues related to agricultural air quality, including strengthening and coordinating USDA air quality research efforts and identifying cost-effective ways in which the agriculture industry can improve air quality.
       Representatives from USDA's Forest Service, Agricultural Research Service, and Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service will also participate on the task force.
       Additional information on the task force is available on at  http://www.airquality.nrcs.usda.gov/AAQTF/ or by contacting Michele Laur at NRCS at 202/720-1858, or e-mail michele.laur@wdc.usda.gov.  (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

NEW SUPPLY/DEMAND LINK CONNECTS FARMERS, MARKETS & CONSUMERS
Published: November 10, 2008

       MarketMaker on the web offers a free new tool to connect family shoppers with farmers  and with everyone in between including restaurants and grocery stores. That's good for consumers who wonder where to find fresh local products and good for small farms with no marketing budget.
       States already part of MarketMaker's growing network include Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New York, and Ohio.
       "MarketMaker began as an online database of Illinois businesses and was so successful that now other states have joined the effort," says University of Illinois Extension Specialist Richard Knipe. "University of Illinois developed and owns the tool but the multi-state partnership that is able to pool large amounts of food industry data and provide it to the public really adds value to the resource."
       Family shoppers can use the MarketMaker website to search for restaurants or places to buy everything from freshly picked or pick-your-own produce, to maple syrup and wine. Farmers can search for farmers' markets, grocery stores and other outlets to sell their food products.
       The original website is located at http://www.marketmaker.uiuc.edu. From there, visitors can search for restaurants, grocery stores, farms and other production facilities across several states. "It's more than a directory of information because it has interactive features like mapping and search capabilities so users can really target and focus on the data that they need," says Knipe.
       Each state has a unique site but all the data from all other MarketMaker states can be accessed from any location. The national MarketMaker link at http://www.agmrc.org is hosted by the national Agricultural Resource Center (AgMRC.org) at Iowa State University. The AgMRC link provides a clickable map of the entire United States. Participating states are highlighted, making it easy for users to navigate from state to state or to regionalize their data searches.
       Our goal is to make the site a resource for all farmers and businesses in the food supply chain," says Knipe. "We are as interested in helping a grocery store find farm-fresh eggs as we are in helping the farmer find a place to sell them, so it's important to include as many producers in our database as possible."
       Access MarketMaker through the national MarketMaker link at http://www.agmrc.org.  (Contact: Amy Mann)

PROP 2 PASSES IN CALIFORNIA
Published: November 10, 2008

       By a 63 to 37 percent margin, California voters approved an animal welfare proposition that, if enforced as the proponents of the measure intend, is expected to outlaw many current housing systems for egg-laying hens used within the state's egg farms. This action may very well eliminate almost all modern egg production in California.
       Proposition 2, which takes effect in 2015, amends the California Health and Safety Code  to make it illegal for farmers to tether or confine animals covered by the law in a manner that does not allow them to turn around freely, lie down, stand up and fully extend their limbs. Proposition 2 applies to swine during pregnancy, calves raised for veal and egg-laying hens kept on farm.
       Californians for Humane Farms, a group funded by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Farm Sanctuary and other animal rights groups, was the principal advocate of the measure. It was patterned after a similar ballot initiative approved by Arizona voters in 2006 that banned the use of gestation crates during farrowing of pigs.
       A coalition, consisting of public health and food safety experts, agricultural organizations, labor unions, consumers, family farmers and veterinarians, opposed Proposition 2. Among other things, the groups argued that humane treatment of animals, including farm animals, already is required by California law. Enclosing animals without proper care and treatment is prohibited. California law already requires that animals have adequate space when being housed. In addition, 98 percent of California egg farms adhere to stringent food safety standards. The California Egg Quality Assurance Plan requires that egg farms use the most modern, safe and practical egg farming techniques and standards. It was estimated by the coalition that Proposition 2 will require California poultry producers to build eight to 16 times more hen houses as currently in use to comply with the new law's requirements and maintain current egg production. Buying the land and securing the necessary capital to accomplish this may be prohibitively expensive and economically infeasible.  (Contact: Bob Ehart)

USDA RELEASES 2007 U.S. ANIMAL HEALTH REPORT
Published: November 10, 2008

       APHIS has released the 2007 U.S. Animal Health Report, which provides a national overview of domestic animal health in the United States. The report addresses the many components of the U.S. animal health infrastructure; approaches to animal disease surveillance, control and eradication; animal population demographics and new initiatives. In addition, the report describes significant epidemiologic events that occurred in 2007.
       The 2007 report includes a chapter devoted to a number of strategic areas specific to the  veterinary services mission, including emergency planning and preparedness; avian influenza surveillance; aquatic health; national animal identification and comprehensive, integrated animal-health surveillance. New to the report this year is a chapter on animal health diagnostics and veterinary biologics. This chapter describes, in detail, the fundamental components of the veterinary services infrastructure and how they enhance animal health in the United States. This annual report is a result of a recommendation from the Animal Health Safeguarding Report published in 2001. NASDA coordinated the Safeguarding project with input from its members, State Veterinarians, APHIS and the animal agriculture industry. The 2007 U.S. Animal Health Report is available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/ahr2007.pdf.  (Contact: Bob Ehart)