NASDA News - July 20, 2010

NASDA WELCOMES MCKINNEY AS NEWEST MEMBER OF POLICY STAFF
Published: July 20, 2010

NASDA welcomed this week Brad McKinney as a Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Specialist, focusing on rural development, financial security, interstate meat sales, energy, dairy and nutrition. 

Prior to joining NASDA, he served in the Indianapolis and Washington, D.C. offices of U.S. Senator Richard G. Lugar of Indiana.  Following his tenure with Senator Lugar, he spent time as Coalitions Director for Oregon gubernatorial candidate and high tech entrepreneur, Allen Alley.

A Midwesterner by birth – his hometown is Fishers, Indiana – Brad’s immediate and extended families have devoted their lives to agriculture.  They continue to operate the family farm in Tipton, Indiana, where Brad spent a great deal of time working since childhood.  Brad graduated from Purdue University in 2007 with a degree in Agricultural Sales and Marketing.  (Contact: Stephen Haterius)

NASDA SUBMITS COMMENTS TO EPA REGARDING NPDES PERMITS
Published: July 20, 2010

This week NASDA submitted comments to EPA regarding the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide General Permit (PGP) for point source discharges from the application of pesticides.  These permits were mandated by a decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

From the beginning, NASDA has maintained that pesticide applications should be regulated under the federal pesticide law, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and that Congress never intended these products to be regulated under the Clean Water Act (CWA). 

One of the primary issues addressed by NASDA’s comments relates to the impact the draft permit will have on institutional relationships, at both the state and federal levels.  In the majority of states, the department of agriculture is the lead agency for pesticide matters.  Most states are also authorized by the CWA to issue NPDES permits for activities within the state, but the authority to do so lies in a separate agency from the pesticide authority.

NASDA also emphasized in its comments problems associated with timing and resources available to states for developing their permits.  Nearly every state is facing significant fiscal challenges, and state pesticide programs are being forced to take new responsibilities despite being chronically underfunded for several years.  The record keeping and reporting requirements of the PGP impact the workload of the state agencies, and states need to be provided with sufficient resources to complete the mandated tasks. 

Regulation of pesticide application under the Clean Water Act has the potential to cause significant problems for applicators as well as state regulators.  Violations of the CWA carry hefty penalties for even minor paperwork errors or omissions, and these fines would be especially damaging to small businesses and public health groups with limited financial resources. Furthermore the citizen action provisions in the Act have the potential to expose applicators to litigation that would require significant legal costs regardless of how trivial the case may be.  The overall effect would not necessarily be to provide environmental protection, but would instead “deprive the public of important public health services of mosquito control districts and invasive species control programs that are integral to a safe and abundant food supply.”  (By: Jason Markovich, Contact: Nathan Bowen)

CHILD NUTRITION BILL CLEARS HOUSE COMMITTEE
Published: July 20, 2010

Last week the House Education and Labor Committee passed H.R. 5504, the “Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act,” with a bipartisan vote of 32-13. The legislation includes reforms to increase the availability of child nutrition programs and improve the nutritional quality of meals served in schools. Several amendments were offered during the committee markup, including one co-sponsored by Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) to create an organic food pilot program and another offered by Jared Polis (D-CO) to launch a plant-based options pilot program. Ranking Member John Kline (R-MN) offered an alternative comprehensive reform plan to the bill. The proposal was defeated 16-30.

Similar legislation in the Senate, S. 3307 “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010,” is sponsored by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Blanche Lincoln (D-AR). In March, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved S. 3307, which would use funding from conservation programs to offset new nutrition spending.  The legislation would reduce future funding for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) by $2.2 billion.  It would provide an increase of $4.5 billion for school lunch and breakfast programs, as well as the Women Infant and Children program (WIC).  The funding cut to EQIP would redirect a significant portion of the $3.4 billion increase the popular working lands conservation program received in the 2008 Farm Bill. (By: Torii Kappelman, Contact: Amy Mann)

TRADE AMBASSADOR KIRK VISITS FAMILY FARM IN CABARRUS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Published: July 20, 2010

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk visited a broiler and sow operation and met with local agricultural leaders in Cabarrus County, North Carolina last week.   After touring Tommy and Vicky Porter’s 500-acre Broiler and Sow operation in the morning, Ambassador Kirk met with the State Agricultural Commissioner Steve Troxler and various North Carolina farmers in a roundtable discussion at Marvin’s Fresh Farmhouse restaurant.  Full story can be found here. (Contact: Amy Mann)

HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE
Published: July 20, 2010

Last week the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health convened a hearing to discuss antibiotic resistance and its potential threat to human health. This hearing followed the introduction of draft guidance released by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with the intent to reduce the use of subtherapeutic antibiotic use in animals.

The first of two panels consisted of experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These experts stated that their agencies had collaborated to create the draft guidance. They based the guidance on evidence such as a World Health Organization study which reported a link between the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture and human resistance to antibiotics.

Many of the committee members believed that careful consideration was required to reach a "peaceful consensus." The draft guidance does not establish regulation, although FDA is seeking comments during the 60-day public comment period. (By: Andrew Kim, Contact: Bob Ehart)

FAS ANNOUNCES AVAILABLE BENEFITS FOR SHRIMP, CATFISH, AND ASPARAGUS PRODUCERS
Published: July 20, 2010

Last week USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) announced that select shrimp producers and nationwide catfish and asparagus producers can apply for training and benefits through the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for Farmers Program. FAS determined these producers have seen a decline in the value of production in 2009, partially due to increased imports of shrimp, catfish, and asparagus. Producers can apply for up to $12,000 to help develop business adjustment plans. Applications are available on the FAS website. (By: Torii Kappelman, Contact: Amy Mann)

DE: MIDDLETOWN UNVEILS WASTEWATER PROGRAM
Published: July 20, 2010

Today, the Town of Middletown, Delaware, unveiled its recently expanded “greener” wastewater program implemented to better manage wastewater generated by the town and a large surrounding area of southern New Castle County. The town’s wastewater treatment facility now provides reclaimed wastewater for use in spray irrigation on public and agricultural lands in the area. Today’s unveiling is a result of a collaborative partnership between Middletown, Artesian Water Company (contractor), the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA), the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), and the University of Delaware (UD). To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Kristen Krenzer, 302.378.2711, ext. 223)

ND: GOEHRING NAMES DEREK WOEHL AS PESTICIDE INSPECTOR
Published: July 20, 2010

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has appointed Derek Woehl as a pesticide, feed and fertilizer inspector for the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

“Derek has firsthand experience in using pesticides,” Goehring said. “His impressive academic background will also help him in working with producers to ensure that pesticide laws and regulations are followed.” To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Ted Quanrud, tquanrud@nd.gov)

VA: CELEBRATE VIRGINIA FARMERS’ MARKET WEEK AUGUST 1-7, 2010
Published: July 20, 2010

Their popularity is increasing, their numbers have more than doubled since 2004 and they help support farm jobs across Virginia. Farmers’ markets, now more than 190 strong in Virginia, are an essential element in communities across the Commonwealth. To celebrate their growing importance to consumers, farmers and the economy of the state, Governor Bob McDonnell has recognized the week of August 1 – 7, 2010 as Farmers’ Market Week in Virginia. And as an extra added enticement, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is sponsoring a photo contest with prizes in four categories. Details are available here.

Matthew J. Lohr, VDACS Commissioner, commented that farmers’ markets are a great tradition in Virginia that date from the very early days of the Commonwealth. “Several markets – Richmond and Alexandria among them – claim to be the oldest farmers’ markets in the nation operating from the same location. But it doesn’t matter if a market is 250 years old or just opened this summer, it’s still a great place to find Virginia Grown tomatoes, homemade strawberry jam, fresh meats and cheeses or a chat with neighbors and friends,” Lohr said.  He added that people often can find and talk to the person who grew, produced or processed the fresh, delicious food they have come to buy.  To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Elaine J. Lidholm, 804.786.7686)

NJ: NJDA, RUTGERS RECEIVE FEDERAL GRANT FOR FARM TO SCHOOL PROJECT
Published: July 20, 2010

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with Rutgers Food Innovation Center in Bridgeton, has been awarded $51,215 to create new food items derived from New Jersey agricultural products for use in the National School Lunch Program.

United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the grant as part of more than $1.3 million in matching grants to 18 states, provided under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program (FSMIP).  These grants focus on developing innovative ways to benefit our agricultural sector. To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Lynne Richmond, lynne.richmond@ag.state.nj.us)

MD: MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EMPLOYEES PLANT VEGETABLE GARDEN
Published: July 20, 2010

Maryland Department of Agriculture employees of the Salisbury Mosquito Control Office are harvesting vegetables for charity from their new office vegetable garden. Inspired by First Lady Katie O’Malley’s garden at the Government House, four employees planted a community vegetable garden on the University of Maryland property outside their office building, and are donating the surplus vegetables to the Wicomico County Food Bank.

 “This is a really great project. I’m excited and proud that our employees have taken it on and are involved so heavily with the community,” said Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance.  “This type of garden is exactly what First Lady O’Malley and the University of Maryland Master Gardeners had in mind with all the positive impacts with the Grow It Eat It backyard gardening program.” To continue reading, click here. (Contact: Sue DuPont, 410.841.5889)