NASDA News--July 21, 2009

FDA AUTHORITY COULD EXPAND IN FOOD SAFETY BILL
Published: July 21, 2009

Agricultural producers testified before the House Committee on Agriculture in opposition to food safety legislation on Thursday that would allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate on-farm production practices.

Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) said that if agricultural concerns are not fixed in the legislation submitted by the Energy and Commerce committee, he plans marking up the legislation and reporting the bill unfavorably.

Concerns stem from provisions of the Food Safety Enhancement Act Bill (H.R. 2749) that would extend the FDA’s authority over livestock production, processing facilities, and geographical quarantines.

Opponents of the legislation criticize the bill’s “one size fits all” approach to food safety and its attempt to form a single system of food safety inspection.

“The notion that the FDA can dictate to farmers in every region of the country, growing and producing a vast array of crops and livestock for a range of market is irrational,” said Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA).

Larry Wooten, on behalf of the American Farm Bureau, focused on the increased cost and paperwork burdens that this bill would require of farmers and ranchers. Organic feed and grain producer Nick Maravell said that the bill favors further consolidation and centralization of the agriculture industry. The bill would make the industry more susceptible to large shocks, whether by unintended contamination or bioterrorism.

Reports indicate this legislation could be voted on in the House this week. The legislation’s text is available here. (By: Kasey Miller, Policy Contact: Bob Ehart)  

HOUSE CLEARS WILD HORSE BILL
Published: July 21, 2009

The House of Representatives passed legislation on Friday that would modify the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 by expanding the amount of public lands available for wild horse habitat as well as by restricting population controls and disposal methods. 

Because of the risks the legislation poses to the to the health of domestic livestock populations and public lands, as well as the economic viability of rural communities, NASDA opposed the legislation and sent a letter to members of the House prior to last week’s vote. 

The act allows for 19 million additional acres to be opened for wild horses and free-ranging burros, while severely limiting the powers of federal wildlife managers to control and maintain these herds. 

Provisions of the legislation limiting population control tools and animal disposal methods could have serious impacts on the health of wild horse populations. Because wildlife managers would be restricted on the way in which they can control herds of wild horses for diseases, these diseases will be able to travel rapidly through the herds. Also, because the legislation would expand the habitat of these animals, domestic livestock will have increased interactions with these herds and face increased threats of disease. For example, the disease Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is an infection that could spread rapidly among a susceptible wild horse population and be easily spread from wild horses to domestic livestock, with devastating consequences. The U.S. horse industry currently spends millions each year to test and control this disease.

NASDA also expressed concerns about the impact the legislation could have on rangeland health and water resources. By expanding the areas in which wild horses and burros are allowed—and by restricting methods by which these populations can be controlled—ecosystems could be subjected to further stress.

The legislation passed the House 239 to 185, with 47 Democrats joining 138 Republicans in opposing the bill. (By: Austin Miles, Policy Contact: Nathan Bowen) 

CLEAN WATER ACT ISSUES HIGHLIGHTED IN SOTOMAYOR HEARINGS
Published: July 21, 2009

The Clean Water Act played a prominent role in the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor last week. 

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) pressed President Obama’s nominee to the Court on whether she would defer to Congress in determining the scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act.

Sotomayor pointed to her view that the Court should defer to Congress, saying, “My cases, my entire record shows that I look at the acts of Congress, as I think the Supreme Court does, with deference, because that is the bedrock of our constitutional system, which is that each branch has a different set of constitutional powers,”

Sotomayor was also asked by Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) about a case regarding the use of cost-benefit tests by EPA for discharge standards for cooling water intakes. Sotomayor ruled on Entergy Corp. v. Riverkeeper as judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. That decision was overturned by the Supreme Court earlier this summer. 

Specter asked Sotomayor, “Can we expect you to stand by your interpretation of the Clean Water Act when, if confirmed, you get to the Supreme Court and can make that kind of a judgment because you're not bound by precedent?” 

Sotomayor responded that in the particular case, she would be “bound by precedent to the extent that all precedent is entitled to the respect…under the doctrine of stare decisis.” (Policy Contact: Nathan Bowen)

GUIDELINES RELEASED FOR FOODBORNE DISEASE OUTBREAK RESPONSE
Published: July 21, 2009

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on July 15 announced new Guidelines for Foodborne Disease Outbreak Response. These guidelines were developed by the Council to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response (CIFOR) and NASDA participates in this council.

The Guidelines are intended to assist local, state and federal agencies in preventing and managing foodborne disease outbreaks through planning, detection, investigation, control and prevention. The document focuses on local and state agencies, including public health, agriculture, environmental health, and other agencies responsible for food safety. Marion Aller, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, represents NASDA and the state agriculture departments on the CIFOR Council. She previously was President of NASDA’ affiliate organization, the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO).

CIFOR released a draft version of these Guidelines in June 2008, which then went through a public review and comment process. The document is intended to be used as a reference document that compliments existing procedures to update agency-specific policies, to identify gaps, and to target training of program staff. To access the Guidelines and more information about CIFOR, please visit www.cifor.us.  (Policy Contact: Bob Ehart)     

USDA ANNOUNCES $760 MILLION IN LOAN FUNDING
Published: July 21, 2009

Last week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that $760 million in funding for farmers and ranchers, which was approved by the Supplemental Appropriations Act signed earlier this year, is now available.  Of this funding, $400 million is allotted for direct operating loans, which will clear a backlog of $150 million worth of pre-approved, yet unfunded, loan applications.  Meanwhile, $360 million was allotted for direct farm ownership loans to be dispersed via the USDA’s Farm Service Agency.  These funds can be used for farm operating expenses, minor building improvements, cost associated with water and land development and to refinance debts under certain conditions.  The maximum amount that can be applied for is $300,000. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov (By: Sean McCarver, Policy Contact: David Hickey)

HONEY TO BE COVERED BY COOL
Published: July 21, 2009

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service announced new rules concerning honey and it’s labeling. The 2008 Farm Bill amended the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require country of origin labeling (COOL) if it contains official USDA grade marks or statements. The new rule will bar any honey products from the market if they do not comply with the 2008 Farm Bill and its country of origin labeling requirements. In order for the industry to clear the market of non-compliant labels, the new rule will not take effect until October 6, 2009. (By: Sean McCarver, Policy Contact: David Hickey)

USDA TO PURCHASE $14.7 MILLION IN BLUEBERRY PRODUCTS
Published: July 21, 2009

Last week USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the agency’s intention to purchase $14.7 million of cultivated blueberry products for federal nutrition assistance programs. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) purchases a variety of high-quality food products each year to support the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, and the Emergency Food Assistance Program.   (By: Mark Smith, Policy Contact: Amy Mann)    

NJ: GYPSY MOTH SUPPRESSION PROGRAM REDUCES TREE DAMAGE
Published: July 21, 2009

New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher recently announced the amount of tree damage caused by gypsy moth caterpillars this spring decreased for the first time since 2003.

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s annual gypsy moth aerial defoliation survey showed 91,890 acres of trees experienced some level of leaf loss in the state this year, as compared with 339,240 acres last year. The 2009 Gypsy Moth Aerial Spray program included 15 counties, 55 municipalities and 11 agencies with spraying on 35,816 acres of wooded residential and park land, wooded areas along the Garden State Parkway and areas of Earle Naval Weapons Station. This year, the United State Forest Service provided cost reimbursement funds to municipalities participating the Department of Agriculture’s spray program. For more information on New Jersey’s gypsy moth suppression program, click here. Also, for national gypsy moth material, click here.  (Contact: Lynne Richmond at: (609) 633-2954 or Lynne.Richmond@ag.state.nj.us.)

WI: AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARDS FIRST GRANTS
Published: July 22, 2009

The Wisconsin Agricultural Education Foundation, formed in part to support the Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council, has awarded its first competitive grants to six high schools around the state. The presentation, expected to be done annually, rewards schools that demonstrate improvements in their study programs surrounding food, agriculture and natural resources. There were several criteria, including need, instructional enrichment, program transferability, sustainability and unique applications.

Funding for the awards came from private donations provided by companies, foundations, individuals and organizations supporting the Foundation and the efforts of the Council. For more information, contact Gary Olson, executive director, Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council at: (608) 224-5128 or garyj.olson@wi.gov; Bridgett Neu, executive director, Wisconsin Association of Agricultural Educators, bridgett@waae.com; or Al Herrman, Council and Foundation Chair, adherrman@wisconsinpublicservice.com.

MD: FARMERS URGED TO TEST SMALL WHEAT AND BARLEY FOR MYCOTOXINS
Published: July 21, 2009

Many farmers are now seeing a negative result of persistent spring rain in their wheat and barley harvest in the form of vomitoxin. Deoxynivalenol (DON), better known as vomitoxin, may be produced in wheat and barley grain infected by the fungus, Fusarium head blight (FHB) or scab. The presence of vomitoxin can make the crop unmarketable or unusable as feed, depending upon the level of contamination. The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) State Chemist is sampling grain at grain elevators and feed mills to determine if vomitoxin is present and if so, at what level. MDA is providing free testing and guidance to farmers who may be considering feeding this year's small grains to livestock. Testing for crop insurance purposes must be done through a crop insurance adjuster. (Contact: Sue duPont at: 410-841-5889 or Julie Oberg at: 410-941-5888)

OK: FORESTRY OFFICIALS TARGET DEVASTATING BEETLES
Published: July 21, 2009

Oklahoma Forestry officials recently announced that funding is available for forest landowners to prevent the ravages of a pine beetle infestation that has devastated vast areas in many southern states. “More than 600,000 acres of Oklahoma’s pine forests are at high risk of attack by the South’s most destructive forest insect, the Southern Pine Beetle,” said John Burwell, State Forester. “Congress and the U.S. Forest Service are supporting State efforts to help landowners thin these overcrowded pine stands and improve forest health.”

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry is offering cost-share assistance to landowners whose forests are at greatest risk. Approved forestry practices include thinning of dense pine stands and development of forest management plans. For more information visit the State Forester’s website. Contact Jack Carson (405) 522-4575

MI: AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS INFORMATION PROVIDED TO STATE LAWMAKERS
Published: July 21, 2009

Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director Don Koivisto has presented state lawmakers with a tool highlighting the importance of agriculture in their districts. The booklet outlines agricultural output by Michigan Senate and House districts with information derived from the 2007 Census of Agriculture. The publication is produced by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Services’ (NASS), Michigan Field Office (MIFO) through voluntary surveys of Michigan’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses and is available here.   

“Michigan is the first in the nation to provide this helpful tool which offers legislators a clear understanding of the diversity and value of agriculture in their district,” said Don Koivisto, MDA Director. “Michigan’s food and agri-business industry is growing and currently represents $71.3 billion in economic activity for our state. This information further underscores the role agriculture has in diversifying and expanding Michigan’s economic base.” Additional information and data can be accessed at www.nass.usda.gov. Questions should be directed to 1-800-453-7501.(Contact: Jennifer Holton, at: 517-241-2485 or holtonj@michigan.gov).

VA: PRODUCERS TO INTRODUCE PRODUCTS TO THE GROWING INDIAN MARKET
Published: July 22, 2009

India is the world’s fifth largest economy, with a population of over one billion people. Food consumption is growing 4.1% annually and is expected to reach $344 billion by 2025. Food, non-alcoholic beverages, and wine imports to India are growing nearly 25 percent yearly. To help Virginia farmers and producers take advantage of this burgeoning market, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) offers them the opportunity to introduce their products to India through a partnership with the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA). 

In December, they will exhibit at the International Food and Drink Expo in New Delhi where they will have a presence in the SUSTA pavilion and the opportunity to meet with key buyers. SUSTA will ship up to 50 pounds of product samples to the show at no cost to the producer, and a chef will prepare product samples at the show. Following the food show, producers will participate in a Trade Mission to Mumbai.

“Food and grocery retailing accounts for 62 percent of India’s total retail market,” said Keith Long, Director of VDACS’ Office of International Marketing, “and that segment of the market will be worth $150 billion by 2025. India is a fast growing market with many opportunities, but it can also be a challenging market to enter. For more information about this event, contact Keith Long at: 804.371.8990 or e-mail at: keith.long@vdacs.virginia.gov. For information on additional domestic and international trade events, go to the VDACS Web site. (Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm at: 804/786-7686)