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A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
NFACT RECOMMENDS POLICY FOR SPECIALTY CROPS & LIVESTOCK
AG COMMITTEE EXAMINES FARM BILL PROPOSALS
LAWMAKERS PUSH NEW FARM BILL PROPOSALS
PANEL EXAMINES SCHOOL PESTICIDE PROPOSAL
JIM MOSELEY AND JOSEPH JEN CONFIRMED BY U.S. SENATE
VIRGINIA HOSTS 2001 NATIONAL FARM TRANSITION NETWORK MEETING
State News--SECRETARY ORDERS TESTING, CERTIFICATION FOR WHEAT SEED
State News--DIRECTORY OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PROCESSORS FREE TO STATE DEPARTMENTS
State News--BRONSON OPTIMISTIC AG WATER NEEDS WILL BE MET
Past Issues
What's New on the NASDA Website
NASDA 2001 agenda and sponsorship information Florida Environmental Laws Guide available
Proposed Agricultural Stewardship Program documents
Secretary Adams' testimony concerning the Agricultural Stewardship Program
2002 Farm Policy Initiative Working Documents
NASDA's 2002 Farm Policy Briefing Book
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NASDA & AG GROUPS PREPARE CAFO COMMENTS NASDA and a coalition of agricultural organizations are sending a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) providing general comments on the agency's proposed rule on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). NASDA is preparing more detailed comments to submit by the July 30 deadline. The CAFO rule was proposed last year under the Clinton administration. It would expand strict new permit requirements for animal feeding operations and prescribe nutrient management plans for many farm operations. The coalition letter expresses concern about the adverse impact the proposed CAFO rule would have on the agricultural community. The farm groups also question EPA's authority to regulate nonpoint sources of pollution under the Clean Water Act and call for greater state flexibility to address animal water management issues. The letter states that additional federal regulation of animal feeding operations is not needed or justified by current water quality data. A copy of the letter has been posted on NASDA's website. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) NFACT RECOMMENDS POLICY FOR SPECIALTY CROPS & LIVESTOCK This week, the commissioners, secretaries, and directors of state departments of agriculture from five states (New Mexico, Florida, Arizona, California, and Texas--NFACT) officially released comments and recommendations for the next farm bill to Congress and interested agricultural groups on the unique issues pertaining to their particular states including specialty crops, livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. The group made recommendations on animal and plant health, conservation, international and domestic markets, research, extension and education, and risk management. NFACT's overall recommendation, however, begins with a statement of support for NASDA's 2002 Farm Policy Initiative recommendations including the NASDA-adopted policy statements of March 2001, the farm safety net proposal, and the new Agriculture Stewardship Program. In regard to animal health, NFACT recommends that Congress ensures that Agricultural Quarantine Inspection (AQI) user fees are deployed to the maximum extent permitted, support the upgrade of existing USDA's diagnostic and methods development facilities, include the Animal Health Protection Act as part of the farm policy legislation, and NFACT supports enhancing emergency preparedness and response capabilities to address animal and plant disease issues. For conservation issues, the group recommends support of NASDA's new Agricultural Stewardship Program, and reauthorization, expansion, and full funding of farm policy legislation conservation programs. Regarding international and domestic markets, the recommendations are to restore funding for the Market Access Program to $200 million, enable the USDA to resolve international disputes and include adequate authority to investigate fraud and violations in trade matters, and increase purchases of domestically produced agricultural products--meat, milk, fruits, nuts, and vegetables in government food programs. For research, extension, and education, NFACT asks policymakers to augment USDA's research programs and establish a mechanism for ensuring that the programs are responsive to stakeholders' needs, and support research that improves the eradication of both animal and plant pests and diseases, food safety, environmental health, and multiple uses of farm, forest and grazing lands. Finally, the group commented on risk management needs and recommended support of NASDA's farm income safety net proposal, expansion of crop insurance coverage to include all specialty crops, creation of low cost liability insurance for producers generating income from less traditional sources, and development of joint strategic plans for each state. The House and Senate Agriculture Committees and Agriculture Appropriations Committees are moving quickly to implement new farm policy and appropriate "new" money set-aside specifically for agriculture. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a $73.9 billion agricultural package on July 17 and the House passed a $74.2 billion agriculture spending bill on July 11. The urgency to appropriate funds is due to the fact that budget revenue forecasts for this year are showing declining revenues, thus a shrinking "pie," and other areas such as defense with growing needs are eyeing the funds set aside for agriculture. The NFACT document, "Framework for the Future of Agriculture," responds to the request of Congress to address specialty crop producer concerns--as does NASDA's "2002 Farm Policy Initiative" document. Congress is keenly aware of specialty crop producers and states with an interest in specialty crops. Throughout this year and last year, the respective congressional agriculture committees have been focusing on the needs of specialty crops, as they have traditionally been underserved; yet, represent approximately 26 percent of domestic cash receipts and 27 percent of the U.S. congressional delegation. There has been an increase in programs that affect specialty crops--for example, an increase in funding for the Market Access Program from $90 million to $180 million. (Contact: Patrick Atagi) AG COMMITTEE EXAMINES FARM BILL PROPOSALS The House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-Texas) began the final round of hearings this week on a draft Farm Bill concept paper released July 12. The committee's draft Farm Bill Concept Paper will serve as the starting point for legislation and amendments. It lays out a plan for renewed deficiency payments, continued fixed payments, rebalanced loan rates, and increased spending for conservation. Total spending under the draft proposal would be $73.4 billion over ten years. This week's lengthy hearings focused on mainly on commodity and nutrition programs but also addressed conservation and a school pesticide proposal (recently approved by the Senate, see separate story). Commodity groups and other farm organizations that testified were generally supportive of the committee proposal. However, the National Farmers Union, along with corn and soybean growers, said they had some concerns with the plan. The National Farm Bureau Federation stated that conservation proposals should be centered on a reformed Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and a new conservation incentive payment program. Several groups opposed increasing the size of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) because it would take working land out of production. On trade issues, all of the groups stressed the need to promote a U.S. trade policy that provides fair competition in the global market. There was no opposition to the committee's proposal for increasing funding for the Market Access Program (MAP). Additional hearings may be held next week. Combest plans to begin marking up legislation on July 26 and intends to complete committee work on a bill before Congress adjourns for the summer August recess. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) LAWMAKERS PUSH NEW FARM BILL PROPOSALS Several lawmakers have introduced new agriculture policy proposals as the House and Senate Agriculture Committees prepare to act on new Farm Bill legislation. Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) has introduced a comprehensive farm proposal for a financial safety net and assistance to address market, weather, and trade concerns. The bill includes marketing assistance loans based off the full economic cost of production for eligible crops. Individually, producers would be afforded counter-cyclical protection with new "moving" loan rates. Assistance would be highest for small- to mid-sized farms. Peterson's proposal would also expand and increase funding for conservation programs and would establish a new one million acre Grassland Reserve Program. To address market concentration, the bill would strengthen USDA's role in the merger review process and require economic impact statements. The Conservation Investment Act (H.R. 2480) has been introduced by Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Kan.), who chairs the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research. The bill would provide $37 billion for farmland conservation over 10 years, expanding existing programs by $1.6 billion per year. It would fund the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) at $1.2 billion per year and create a new Grasslands Reserve Program. Lucas said that he would seek to have his proposal incorporated into the new Farm Bill as the conservation title. Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) this week introduced H.R. 2542 to establish a new Farmland Stewardship Program. Putnam's bill would allow USDA to enter into contracts with producers and landowners to maintain and protect environmental and agricultural resources. In the Senate, "working lands conservation" legislation is being drafted by Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.). His bill is expected to propose increased conservation spending by $2 billion per year above the current conservation baseline. EQIP would be funded at $1.5 billion per year and reformed to focus more on water quality and meeting regulatory requirements related to animal feeding operations. Lugar would also require USDA to report on proposals to consolidate and reform current conservation programs. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) has proposed a "Sun Grant Initiative" which would promote the production of farm commodities for non-food uses and value-added products. The initiative is intended to be a framework for new investments in research and technologies, such as bio-fuels. Daschle said he would like to have his proposal as the key element of a new energy and bio-products title in a new Farm Bill. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) EPA PLANS REVIEW OF TMDL RULE The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this week took action to review and revise the controversial clean water rule on Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). Specifically, the agency filed a motion in federal appeals court to hold action on lawsuits over the rule for 18 months to allow time to propose changes to the rule. The TMDL rule was originally proposed in 1999 and would require Clean Water Act (CWA) permits for certain nonpoint sources of pollution. NASDA and a coalition of farm organizations have strongly opposed the proposed rule and expressed concern about the economic costs, the process for listing waterbodies, program deadlines, and other new requirements for meeting stricter water quality standards. NASDA and the agricultural community were successful in passing legislation last year that prohibited funds to be used for implementation of the TMDL rule until October 1, 2001, and requiring a study by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS). The NAS study was released last month and makes a number of recommendations to improve for improving the TMDL program. EPA Administrator Christine Todd Whitman said the review period would give the agency time to conduct an extensive stakeholder process and receive additional public comments. Whitman emphasized that the NAS recommendations would be studied at the same time. EPA plans to propose changes to the rule in the spring of 2002 and hopes to adopt final rules within the 18 month time frame. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) PANEL EXAMINES SCHOOL PESTICIDE PROPOSAL The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry this week held a hearing to examine a school pesticide amendment which was recently approved in the Senate as part of an education bill. The last-minute action in the House was unexpected and the outcome will be difficult to predict. The school pesticide amendment was originally offered by Senator Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) as an amendment to education legislation. NASDA sent a letter to the Senate in May opposing the proposal. The letter pointed out that states already had pesticide management programs in place and expressed concern about additional costs and federal regulations. The final amendment was negotiated for weeks by Sen. Torricelli, members of the pesticide and pest management industries, and environmental groups. Specifically, the amendment would require local education agencies to develop and implement school pesticide management plans including notification of school pesticide use. During the House hearing, Subcommittee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R Va.) and others criticized the Senate amendment saying it would unnecessarily require schools to divert money from education programs. He noted that congressional hearings had not been held on the proposal and it had not been reviewed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or Department of Education. The education bill is scheduled to go to a House-Senate conference committee for final negotiations. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has informed Agriculture Committee members that House conferees will oppose the Senate amendment during negotiations. However, Sen. Torricelli said Senate Democrats would continue to fight for the proposal. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) JIM MOSELEY AND JOSEPH JEN CONFIRMED BY U.S. SENATE On July 12, the U.S. Senate confirmed two of President Bush's nominees for key positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jim Moseley was confirmed by the Senate for the position of deputy secretary and Joseph Jen as under secretary for research, education, and economics. "These are two individuals that bring a great deal of experience and integrity to these positions and will be valuable members of our team." said Secretary Veneman. In 1993, Jim Moseley was appointed as Indiana's director of agriculture services and regulations at Purdue University. He was Indiana's representative to NASDA from 1992 to 1994. Moseley helped to develop NASDA's 1994 Environment Enhancement Investment Program which influenced the final Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) provision in the 1996 farm bill . In 1996 he worked with the NASDA Research Foundation to convene 18 focus groups with producers and agribusiness on resource management planning. From these sessions a "Producer's Guide to Resource Management Planning" was developed. Moseley was also assistant secretary of natural resources in the George Bush administration in the 1990s. Moseley has 32 years of farming experience and has been involved in several public service activities. Most recently, Moseley worked with Infinity Pork and AgRidge Farms while continuing to participate in natural resources and environmental policy, at both the state and national levels. He has served as chairman of the industry negotiating team for the National Pork Dialogue. Born in Indiana, he received a bachelor's degree in horticulture from Purdue University. Joseph Jen is widely recognized as an agricultural scientist and educator. He has experience in both the public and private sectors. Since 1992, Jen served as the dean of the College of Agriculture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where he oversaw eleven departments and a budget of over $30 million. He was also on the faculty of three land grant institutions. He also served as director of research at the Campbell Institute of Research and Technology for the Campbell Soup Company. In 2000, he was appointed by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and served as a member of the U.S. delegation to the U.S. Japan Millennium Study. Jen received a bachelor's degree in agricultural chemistry from National Taiwan University, a master's degree in food science from Washington State University, and a doctorate in comparative biochemistry from the University of California at Berkeley. He also has a master's degree in business from Southern Illinois University. Moseley and Jen will assume their official responsibilities following a private swearing-in ceremony performed by Veneman next week. (Contact: Patrick Atagi) VIRGINIA HOSTS 2001 NATIONAL FARM TRANSITION NETWORK MEETING "It's hard to get started, and we are having trouble finding affordable land." This was the message that Wes Kent, a beginning dairy farmer from Augusta County, Virginia delivered to the National Farm Transition Network (NFTN) at its 2001 annual meeting. Representatives from, 14 states, two Canadian provinces and several Japanese prefectures met in Richmond, Virginia, to discuss the barriers faced by young farmers in their efforts to enter farming as a vocation. Hosted by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the NFTN's 2001 meeting focused on ways to increase awareness about the decline in the number of young people entering farming and the pending transition of farm businesses from the current generation of farmers to the next. The 1997 Census of Agriculture data highlights the magnitude of the problem. According to that data, there are two times as many farmers over the age of 65 as there are under the age of 35. Recent studies in Iowa and Canada indicate that many of the older farmers have not identified successors to take over the farm business. Members of the National Farm Transition Network represent organizations working with beginning farmers, farm business succession planning, and farm link programs. This year's annual meeting was a watershed event in the history of the NFTN's members decided to move, organizationally, from a loose association of U.S. programs to a more formally structured national organization. After taking the steps to incorporate, members of the NFTN began to discuss and implement strategies to raise the visibility of the serious issues surrounding the coming transition of America's farm businesses to a new generation of farmers. Attendees discussed strategies that work in achieving successful farm transitions as well as those that do not work. They shared recently developed educational materials and information on new strategies implemented in their respective programs. The meeting concluded with a panel discussion by four Virginia farmers--two retiring and two entering farmers--who shared with the attendees the steps that they have taken to transfer their farm businesses and the difficulties they have encountered. Charlie Ingram, NASDA legislative and regulatory affairs manager, who first met with officials of the NFTN in November 2000, was on the program to brief the attendees on NASDA's 2002 Farm Policy Initiative and to discuss the process for establishing a closer relationship between NASDA and the NFTN. NFTN officials agreed to advise NASDA on issues related to beginning farmers and farm transition programs and to provide comment on the 2002 Farm Policy Initiative. (Contact: Don Blankenship, 804/786-3501) BIOTECH NEWS ~~GIPSA Moves to Expand Biotech Labs~~The USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) is in the process of expanding its validation and accreditation programs, specifically, the number of labs using tests designed to detect genetically modified (GMO) grains. The agency is developing an accreditation program for laboratories using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method for testing, which detects bioengineered grains. The goal is to expand the number of labs and the accuracy of use of rapid test kits that test for modified plant proteins. It is expected that the agency will have a DNA based proficiency study available by late July to determine the ability of private labs to accurately detect the modified proteins in genetically modified organisms. The tests do not measure the amounts or percentage of biotech product in grain; but only the presence of the modified proteins. The agency is charged with the responsibility for ensuring manufacturer's claims on GMO products are accurate and providing the rapid test kits used to detect modified DNA in StarLink corn. (Contact: Patrick Atagi) ~~EPA Reports on Safety of GMO Products~~The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a July 17 revised risk assessment that confirms the agencies earlier findings that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and, in particular, crops engineered to combat pests, are "unlikely" to harm the environment or human beings. This assessment follows an assessment released last September by the agency that found no unreasonable adverse effects were posed to humans or wildlife barring the pests the plants were modified to control. The EPA will hold a briefing open to the public on July 24. A final decision on registrations for bioengineered crop is not expected until the end of September. The agency did note that further study needs to be done to examine the effects on birds. The technical briefing will be held on July 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel in Arlington, Virginia, near Reagan Washington National Airport. (Contact: Patrick Atagi) USDA NEWS ~~Clean-up of Swine Manure~~The attorney general of North Carolina and Smithfield Foods, Inc., have selected technology adapted by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Florence, S.C., to clean up and dispose of manure from swine-production wastewater at a 4,360-pig farm in North Carolina's Duplin County. The environmentally superior new technology will be used by Smithfield Foods to replace current lagoons for cleaning up wastewater in the state's hog operations, according to ARS soil scientists Matias B. Vanotti and Patrick G. Hunt at the ARS Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Research Center in Florence. Swine production in the United States is increasing rapidly. In North Carolina alone, it grew from 2.6 million hogs in 1990 to more than 9 million in 1997. The expansion has caused monumental waste-treatment problems that are one of the region's greatest environmental issues. These problems are related to flushing waste from high-density confinement facilities into anaerobic lagoons and then applying the wastewater to cropland. Besides nitrogen, swine manure contains phosphorus and other chemicals that can fertilize plants. But land application can become problematic when more manure nitrogen is applied than crops or forage can use. Vanotti, Hunt and a team of ARS colleagues devised an innovative way to remove the ammonia form of nitrogen from swine manure quickly, effectively and relatively inexpensively. They adapted a Japanese state-of-the-art technology for treating municipal wastewater with large populations of nitrifying bacteria entrapped in polymer gel pellets. The full-scale treatment system to be built in Duplin County will separate solids and liquids, make a soil-less growth medium from the solids, remove the nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater, and recycle clean water for the cleaning of the swine houses. For more details, see the July issue of Agricultural Research.. ~~New Wildland Fire Web Site~~USDA and the U.S. Department of the Interior have announced the launching of a new interagency wildland fire web site. The new web site, located at http://www.fireplan.gov/, will serve as an information clearinghouse to provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive interagency information and other related details on the National Fire Plan. By clicking onto the website, users can track a variety of important information and data, including fire plan projects that are being implemented in their state and local communities across the country. The data regarding wildland fire projects is especially useful as it explains the benefits of fire plan projects and how communities can play a critical role in efforts to help protect property and save lives. The new site also provides useful information for homeowners in areas that are high risk for wildland fires. Site visitors can get first-hand information about ways to protect their homes and communities from wildland fire. In addition, the site lists information for fire contractors and related employment opportunities. The National Fire Plan is an interagency plan designed to ensure sufficient firefighting resources for wildland fires; restore landscapes and rebuild communities damaged by wildland fire; reduce hazardous fuels in forests; work with local residents to reduce fire risk and improve fire protection; and ensure accountability. The National Fire Plan website supplements the National Interagency Fire Center's (NIFC) website (http://www.nifc.gov/ ). NIFC is the nation's coordinating center for wildland firefighting and its web site contains timely and accurate information on the status of wildland fires across the country. ~~Increasing Fiber in Snack Food~~Increasing the dietary fiber from less than three to more than 10 percent in favorite snack foods is now possible with help from Agricultural Research Service scientists. The best part is that consumers can get the added health benefit of the fiber without tasting the difference. Many snack foods are cooked using a method known as extrusion. This is the process of forcing corn, wheat or rye meal flour and other ingredients through a die under high pressure, and sometimes heat, essentially cooking the mixture. Until now, it has been difficult to add cereal fibers during extrusion without causing undesirable texture, which then decreases consumer acceptance, according to food technologist Charles I. Onwulata of the ARS Eastern Regional Research Center in Wyndmoor, Pa. However, Onwulata and his team found that by including dairy proteins such as casein or whey as a binder to hold everything together, they could also add more dietary fiber during extrusion cooking. The texture of the resulting snack food was found to be comparable in texture to other snack foods currently on the market, according to Onwulata. Products such as breakfast cereals, corn puffs, cheese curls and energy bars are sometimes prepared using the extrusion process. Many of these products have less than one gram of fiber per 50 grams of product. According to Onwulata, his product can contain as many as 15 grams of fiber in a 50-gram bar. The recommended fiber intake is 20 to 35 grams a day, but Americans average only about 15 grams of fiber a day in their diets. Studies suggest fiber decreases the risk of heart disease, some cancers, high blood pressure and diabetes. In a separate project, Onwulata has filed for a patent on a process that uses milk protein to envelope fiber and keep it from soaking up water when used in many foods. Reducing the water-holding capacity of the fiber improves food quality, according to Onwulata. He works in the ERRC's Dairy Products Research Unit. STATE NEWS SECRETARY ORDERS TESTING, CERTIFICATION FOR WHEAT SEED Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jamie Clover Adams has issued an order requiring that all wheat, durum wheat and triticale seed offered for sale in Kansas be tested and certified Karnal bunt-free."Seed is one of the highest-risk pathways for transmitting Karnal bunt," said Adams. "Requiring that it be tested is an important proactive measure we can take to protect our state's $1 billion wheat industry." The administrative order applies to all seed offered for sale in Kansas including seed grown within the state. The order also requires that portable seed conditioning equipment be cleaned and disinfected according to USDA protocol before it enters Kansas. "This action compliments USDA's efforts to curtail the spread of Karnal bunt," Adams said. "It's an extra measure to prevent the introduction of the disease to our state." In June, USDA added four north-Texas counties to its quarantine of Karnal bunt-infected areas. The addition of those counties - Throckmorton, Young, Baylor and Archer - marked the first time the disease had been found in the wheat belt that stretches from north Texas to Canada. Karnal bunt is a fungal disease that affects crop yields and quality. Flour made from bunted kernels may be discolored and have a harmless but unpleasant odor and taste. The most detrimental effect of the disease is on international and domestic markets. Many countries will not import wheat from areas that have tested positive for the disease and some domestic flour mills will not accept it. (Contact: Lisa Taylor, 785/296-2653) DIRECTORY OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PROCESSORS FREE TO STATE DEPARTMENTS The Colorado Department of Agriculture has developed a comprehensive software program for creating a database for state food and agricultural processors, called TRADIRS. This extensive directory is available to all state departments of agriculture at no cost. The latest version is available on CD-ROM, which includes the software and manual. The software works with Microsoft Access and provides extensive access to each state's companies. With a few clicks, you can sort your complete database to a very specific group (i.e. snack food manufactures who export) and then instantly send them a trade lead or other information. Building on this software, you can also have your database accessible "online" through your Web site, allowing limited searches by the public. To view the Internet version, you can access the Colorado Department of Agriculture's Web site at http://www.ag.state.co.us/mkt/default.asp. To obtain a copy of the software or learn more about it, contact Timothy J. Larsen, senior international marketing specialist, at 303/239-4118 or tim.larsen@ag.state.co.us. Funds from USDA's Federal State Marketing Improvement Program was used to develop the TRADIRS software. (Contact: Linh Truong, 303/239-4100) BRONSON OPTIMISTIC AG WATER NEEDS WILL BE MET Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has expressed optimism that agricultural water needs can be met now and in the future because of the assistance of water management district officials, state and federal agencies and progressive practices being employed by growers themselves. Bronson's comments follow a half-day water summit held in Marco Island, Fla., this week and attended by approximately 100 agricultural producers, legislators, water management district officials, high-ranking state and federal officials and university researchers to discuss agricultural water needs. "The importance of this issue to Florida agriculture was highlighted by the presence of the producers from every segment of Florida's agricultural industry," Bronson said. "I have never seen so many agricultural producers and decision-makers so committed to working together to come up with solutions. It gives me great confidence that agriculture, Florida's second largest industry, will get the water it needs to produce the crops that feed our citizens and those around the world." Bronson said that a major focus of Florida agricultural producers is in water conservation as reducing the amount of water they need for crops and livestock not only conserves water but saves them money. An estimated 40 to 45 percent of the water withdrawn by agriculture is returned as ground or surface water. Bronson also noted that producers recognize the need to work on a cooperative basis with urban residents to solve regional water supply issues. The commissioner said that producers are also working with the state to adopt best management practices (BMPs) - industry wide practices designed to improve water quality, save water and benefit the environment. BMPs already are in place for a number of segments of the industry. Bronson thanked all participants at yesterday's meeting for working together, noting that the success of the meeting was a direct result of the excellent participation by industry, government agencies and legislative leaders. (Contact: Terence McElroy, 850/488-3022) |
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