-
EPA Releases Clean Water Strategy
Published: August 31, 2010
EPA has released for public comment its draft strategy for Achieving Clean Water. In the draft strategy, EPA says it will use the Chesapeake Bay as a model for other areas of the country, particularly in regards to implementing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). EPA also says that it will "more fully utilize regulatory tools and enforcement to address a number of water quality concerns" under the Clean Water Act.
As part of this strategy, EPA says that it will address water quality issues by seeking to "increase the regulatory universe" and setting "performance standards through robust modifications to current regulations." Comments on the draft are due September 17. To view a copy of the draft, click
here.
(Contact: Nathan Bowen)
>>MORE>>
-
Environmental Groups Oppose Cardin Chesapeake Legislation
Published: August 31, 2010
A number of environmental groups have announced their opposition to Sen. Ben Cardin's (D-MD) Chesapeake Bay legislation (S. 1816), saying agriculture-related modifications made to attract Republican votes in Committee went too far. Still, many agricultural organizations remain opposed to the legislation as well, clouding the bill's prospects. It is possible the bill could be included in an omnibus water bill that the Senate might consider in September. (Contact: Nathan Bowen)
>>MORE>>
-
Disaster Program Signup Open Through Sept. 30
Published: August 31, 2010
The Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE) had paid out more than $1.2 billion as of August 17. SURE will keep taking applications for 2008 losses through September 30th. States receiving the most money were Iowa at $211 million, followed by North Dakota with nearly $164 million and Texas with $133 million. To qualify for SURE, a farm usually must be in or bordering on a county designated as an agricultural disaster area.
There is current debate on whether SURE works for some farmers, particularly in the South, since the program protects loss of yield rather than loss of profit. Some farmers, mainly in the South and particularly those growing cotton and rice, say the premiums for crop insurance are too high for the benefits they receive. As it happens, the areas affected by the worst weather were areas in which farmers do not have crop insurance. There is a current proposal being negotiated between the White House and Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) to provide ad hoc disaster assistance to those farmers that do not qualify under the SURE program due to lack of crop insurance. (Contact: Brad McKinney)
>>MORE>>
-
USDA Announces Rural Electric Loans
Published: August 31, 2010
USDA Rural Development announced this morning that $1.2 billion in guaranteed loans are being awarded through USDA Rural Development's Electric Program to 37 rural utilities and cooperatives in 20 states. The funds will go towards constructing and repairing nearly 7,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines and will benefit more than 60,000 rural electric cooperative consumers. (Contact: Brad McKinney)
>>MORE>>
-
CO: Colorado Agricultural Exports Increase 27 Percent
Published: August 31, 2010
Colorado's top five export sectors are all experiencing growth with meat and hide exports leading the way. Colorado is the third largest exporting state for fresh and frozen beef, as well as fourth largest exporter of hides. "With continued efforts to open more global markets to Colorado and U.S. beef, we look forward to further increases in our beef exports," stated Commissioner of Agriculture, John Stulp. "We are also encouraged by the hide exports, which are often viewed as an indicator of future trends. Asia has significantly increased their hide imports, which are then processed into consumer goods and leather for car interiors."
Canada became the largest export market for Colorado's agricultural exports in the first 6 months of 2010 with a 15 percent increase in beef imports, while Mexican beef imports dropped almost 20 percent. Japan's increased purchases were a result of increased beef imports, while Korea's increased imports included both beef and hides. China's increase was also a result of increased hide imports. (Click here for more).
>>MORE>>
-
VA: Virginia Offers Bed Bug Forums
Published: August 31, 2010
Because bed bugs are quickly becoming the leading public health pest of the 21st Century, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) recently developed a Bed Bug Outreach and Education Project and hosted a series of Bed Bug Forums across the state. The project was funded through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Forums, which were held in Alexandria, Dulles, Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke, provided attendees with basic information regarding the biology of bed bugs, the health significance of the pest, inspection and current treatment methods and challenges of bed bug management, and also suggested best management practices.
More than 340 people attended the Forums, representing pest management professionals, housing services including management associations for multifamily housing, members of the hospitality industry, public agencies and other individuals and groups interested in bed bug biology and management. "The resurgence of bed bugs in recent years has brought the pest from the shadows to the limelight," said Matthew J. Lohr, VDACS Commissioner. "A few years ago, no one admitted to having an infestation, but now there is a growing, collective effort to prevent, control and eradicate the pest." (Click here for more).
>>MORE>>
-
WI: Premises Registration Case Retrial Ends in No-Contest Plea and Guilty Verdict
Published: August 31, 2010
A Cumberland man pleaded no contest and was found guilty Tuesday of violating Wisconsin's premises registration law, after being granted a new trial in Polk County Circuit Court.
Patrick Monchilovich, 39, declined the court's offer to allow him to register his premises rather than pay a $390 penalty, and reserved his right to appeal. (Click here for more).
>>MORE>>
-
NC: Ag Department Offers Food Safety Workshop
Published: August 31, 2010
The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is hosting a one-day workshop Sept. 28 that focuses on "Protecting your Business, Preventing a Recall." The food safety workshop offers business owners an optional opportunity to develop their own recall plan.
The workshop, which will be held at the Piedmont Research Station in Salisbury, is designed for meat producers and processors, value-added food producers and mid-sized food processing/packaging businesses. (Click here for more).
>>MORE>>
-
ND: Goehring Announces Age/Source Beef Verification Program
Published: August 31, 2010
Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has unveiled a new, voluntary program to help market North Dakota beef domestically and abroad.
"North Dakota Verified Livestock enables livestock producers and feeding operations to verify the age and source of their animals," Goehring said Tuesday, at a Bismarck news conference. "This information is required by beef importing countries, such as South Korea and Japan. (Click here for more).
>>MORE>>