NASDA News - August 17, 2010

JUDGE OVERTURNS USDA’S APPROVAL OF GENETICALLY ALTERED SUGAR BEETS
Published: August 17, 2010

Federal District Judge Jeffrey S. White revoked the government's approval of genetically altered sugar beets until regulators complete a more thorough review (an EIS) of how the scientifically engineered crops affect other food. The ruling means sugar beet growers won't be able to use the modified seeds after harvesting the biotechnology beets already planted on more than 1 million acres spanning 10 states from Michigan to Oregon.

The sugar beet industry has indicated it intends to help the Agriculture Department come up with "interim measures" that would allow continued production of the genetically altered seeds while regulators conduct their environmental review. If a temporary solution isn't found, the planting restrictions are likely to cause major headaches for sugar beet growers and food processors.  (Contact: Bob Ehart)

BREDESEN NAMES TERRY J. OLIVER TO LEAD TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Published: August 17, 2010

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen announced Terry J. Oliver as the next commissioner of the Department of Agriculture. Oliver, who currently serves as deputy commissioner, assumed his new role yesterday

"I have personally known Terry and have sought his advice and counsel through the years on agricultural issues," said Bredesen. "Always dependable and a man of his word, Terry made a great team with former Commissioner Ken Givens in leading our efforts to address the needs and opportunities of farmers and rural communities. He is the right person to assume leadership of the Department of Agriculture at this time, and I'm very pleased to announce his appointment."

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture provides a variety of consumer protection services, promotes farm products and encourages the sustainable management of forest and farmland resources. Farming and forestry not only preserve a time-honored way of life, but they also fuel the state's economy. Agricultural production generates more than $3.1 billion annually in farm cash receipts and another $329 million generated by timber sales.

"I very much appreciate the opportunity to serve Governor Bredesen and the state of Tennessee as commissioner," Oliver said. "The Department of Agriculture touches the lives of Tennesseans every day through the food we eat, the fuel we pump, the clothes we wear, the wood products we use and the land we enjoy. It will be an honor for me to serve Tennesseans in this new role."

A West Tennessee farmer and businessman, Oliver has nearly 20 years of public service and experience in state government and has served four commissioners of Agriculture as deputy commissioner. He returned to state government in February 2003 having served previously in the same capacity from 1987 to 1995.

Oliver has led efforts to improve the effectiveness of the Division of Forestry and also played a significant role in the development and implementation of the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program, a cost share program established by Bredesen to spur farm innovation and agricultural development in Tennessee.

A native of Gleason, Tenn., Oliver holds a bachelor's degree in Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin. He is a member of the advisory council for the Governor's School of Agriculture Sciences at UT Martin - one of only three enrichment programs in the nation for high school agriculture students. He is also a former member of the USDA Farm Services Agency state committee.  Oliver, a sixth generation farmer, and his wife Marsha reside on their family farm in Gleason and have two daughters and three grandchildren.  

NASDA COMMENTS ON EPA DUST PROPOSAL
Published: August 17, 2010

NASDA this week submitted comments to EPA as the agency reviews Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards.  NASDA and a host of other agricultural organizations, as well as Members of Congress, are concerned that EPA could use the review to implement a more stringent standard for course particulate matter, including agricultural dust.  This would significantly impact agricultural producers, particularly in the arid West, and would make attainment of State Implementation Plans under the Clean Air Act much more difficult.  (Contact: Nathan Bowen)

LUCAS INTRODUCES NPDES FIX IN HOUSE
Published: August 17, 2010

Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced legislation (H.R. 6087) in the House last week that would amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) to clarify that additional permits are not required for pesticide applications made in accordance with FIFRA.  Lucas’s bill is companion legislation to S. 3735 which was introduced earlier this month in the Senate by Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA).   Both bills would clarify that permits under the Clean Water Act (CWA), for example, are not required for pesticide applications that comply with FIFRA. 

NASDA joined last week with a number of other agricultural organizations in signing a letter of support of the Lincoln/Chambliss legislation.  (Contact: Nathan Bowen)

FDA SAYS CONSUMERS CAN BUY GULF SEAFOOD ‘WITH CONFIDENCE’
Published: August 17, 2010

From the Washington Post:  Of the 3,500-plus samples taken from the gulf during the spill, officials say none contained enough oil or dispersant to be harmful to people. They say that fish and shrimp don't tend to absorb dispersants and that their bodies tend to break down the toxic components of oil. Consumers "should be able to buy, with confidence, Gulf Coast products," said Don Kraemer, a seafood-safety expert at the FDA.  Read more in the Washington Post.  (Contact: Bob Ehart)

RECOMMENDED READING: ‘BITES THAT BOTHER AND BITES THAT KILL’
Published: August 17, 2010

From the Washington Times:  ''Don't let the bedbugs bite" is no longer a fashionable good-night wish…. This is the opening salvo in an op-ed by Paul Dreissen in the Washington Times. The title of the op-ed is “Bites that bother and bites that kill: Pesticide ‘risk’ have different consequences in America and Africa.”  It provides some interesting food for thought regarding pesticides and risk assessment. (Contact: Bob Ehart)

WI: FARMLAND PERMANENTLY PROTECTED BY CONSERVATION EASEMENT PURCHASE
Published: August 17, 2010

Sixteen farms from across Wisconsin have been selected to participate in the state’s new Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easement (PACE) program. The farms cover more than 5,000 acres in Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Iowa, Jefferson, and Waupaca counties and represent Wisconsin’s wide diversity of agriculture… more.

NY: STATE TO NO LONGER ADMINISTER DOG LICENSES IN 2011
Published: August 17, 2010

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Patrick Hooker today announced that effective January 1, 2011 the State will no longer be involved in the licensing of dogs… more.

ND: STATE MOBILE FOOD PROCESSING UNITE READY TO GO
Published: August 17, 2010

It looks like an ordinary trailer, but North Dakota’s new Mobile Food Processing Unit is a powerful new tool – a fully-equipped, commercial kitchen on wheels – for schools, food banks, community gardens, businesses and entrepreneurs… more.

VA: PRODUCERS INVITED TO INBOUND TRADE MISSION FROM GULF COOPERATION COUNCIL
Published: August 17, 2010

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) offers agricultural producers the opportunity to meet one-on-one with pre-qualified buyers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Buyers from Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates will be in Raleigh, NC and Annapolis, MD in October for an inbound trade mission organized by the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA)… more.

WA: 2009 TRADE MISSION TO HONG KONG OPENS DOOR FOR WASHINGTON FOODS
Published: August 17, 2010

Chocolate-covered fruits, natural baking products, Northwest wines and dozens of other products from Washington and Oregon enjoyed three weeks in the spotlight as part of a July Pacific Northwest Festival in-store promotion at one of Hong Kong's largest retail grocery chains… more.