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A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture DISASTER RELIEF LEGISLATION LANGUISHES AS CONGRESS RECESSES FOR THE ELECTIONS NASDA AND FARM GROUPS PLAN NATIONAL FARM BILL CONFERENCE CONGRESS HEADS HOME & PLANS FOR LAME DUCK SESSION FSIS ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO STRENGTHEN IMPORT INSPECTION SYSTEM BEGINNING FARMER PROGRAMS AT USDA AND FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION SEEKING INPUT 2002 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE BEGINS TO COUNT THE NATION'S FARMS USTR TO DISCUSS GLOBAL FARM TRADE REFORMS AT CAIRNS GROUP MEETING IN BOLIVIA State News--SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT RECEIVES FOOD SAFETY GRANT State News--MDA KICKS OFF LIVESTOCK FRIENDLY COUNTIES PROGRAM State News--AG PRODUCERS CAN ACCESS COMMISSION MERCHANTS, DEALER INFO ON WSDA WEBSITE State News--ANIMAL HEALTH CHALLENGES ADDRESSED WITH CHANGE AT ISDA Past Issues
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DISASTER RELIEF LEGISLATION LANGUISHES AS CONGRESS RECESSES FOR THE ELECTIONS As reported in a separate NASDA News story, Congress approved a continuing resolution until November 22 without adding disaster relief assistance for farmers and ranchers. Though 39 major agricultural organizations, including NASDA, requested that Congress take action in October before it adjourned, disaster assistance legislation was not approved in the House. The Senate has approved disaster assistance legislation twice this year. Most recently in September, the Senate approved an amendment to the FY03 Interior Appropriations bill by a vote of 79 to 16 and the Senate version of the farm bill included $2 billion in disaster relief, but that language was not included in the conference report as a result of disagreements from the House and the White House. The Senate amendment approved on Sept. 10 provides about $5.9 billion for losses due to natural disasters during the 2001 and 2002 crop years. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) indicated in a letter to Representative John Thune (R-S.D.) that he looks forward to continuing to work with Rep. Thune in this effort (drought relief) for the remainder of this session in Congress. With this potential opening for future consideration, there could be some action on disaster assistance by Congress during a lame duck session. USDA continues to provide assistance through various programs, most recently the Livestock Compensation Program, to devastated farmers and ranchers experiencing the third worst drought in 68 years. However, several agricultural groups have pointed out that the combined efforts will not reach the levels needed to make a positive impact across all areas of the country facing natural disasters, such as drought, flooding, and wildfires. It was noted in reports that 55 percent of U.S. counties have been declared disasters by USDA this year, with additional counties still waiting for their declarations. USDA corrected a standard in the Livestock Compensation Program rules that left thousands of producers, many in Kansas, ineligible for much needed aid. Under the original definition, a producer is ineligible if they "for monetary reimbursement or other gain, feed, and provide facilities on a custom feeding basis for livestock owned by another person." Without this change, it was estimated that more than one-half of the counties in Kansas would not be eligible. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Representative Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) led a group of lawmakers who identified the problem to USDA and then USDA took action in changing the definition. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) NASDA AND FARM GROUPS PLAN NATIONAL FARM BILL CONFERENCE NASDA has joined a partnership of agricultural and conservation organizations in sponsoring a National Conference on Farm Bill Conservation Opportunities. One goal of the meeting is to provide detailed information to farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural stakeholders about the new farm bill conservation programs and opportunities. The conference is also designed to help agricultural and conservation organizations develop action plans to provide key information to landowners on farm bill conservation programs. The conference will be held November 13 to 14, 2002,at the Hilton St. Louis Airport in St. Louis, Missouri. The first half day of the conference will examine producer benefits of farm bill conservation programs and their current status. The afternoon agenda will feature facilitated breakout sessions to develop sector-specific action plans that each stakeholder can take back as a component of its information and education outreach effort to its members. Bruce Knight, Chief of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is expected to address the conference, as well as other USDA conservation experts. Nathan Rudgers, commissioner of the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, will speak to the group on November 14. A detailed agenda, registration form, and hotel information is available on NASDA's website through a link to the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) website. NACD and the Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) are taking a lead role in organizing the program. The conference should be helpful as all agricultural organizations prepare for the important task for informing their members and operators about new opportunities through the new farm bill. For additional information or questions, please contact Charlie Ingram at NASDA by phone at 202/296-9680 or by email at charlie@nasda.org. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) CONGRESS HEADS HOME & PLANS FOR LAME DUCK SESSION Both the House and Senate approved a continuing spending resolution late October 16 to fund government departments and programs through November 22. The move essentially means that most legislative business is suspended until lawmakers return for a lame duck session after the November 5 elections. By late Thursday, the political bickering heated up as lawmakers in both chambers blamed one another for failing to pass a variety of bills. The stopgap spending resolution passed by Congress would fund most federal programs at FY02 spending levels. It did not contain funding for drought and disaster assistance to farmers, which many lawmakers have been fighting hard to approve (see separate story). The congressional schedule remains unpredictable. At press time, the Senate appeared ready to go home after voters were blocked once again on the homeland security bill. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said the Senate might remain in session until next week to continue work and negotiations on the homeland security bill (H.R. 5005) and to highlight Democratic priorities such as the economy, minimum wage, and health care. House leaders said lawmakers would briefly reconvene next week if the Senate reached a deal on the homeland security bill; otherwise, the House plans to return to work November 12. There will be a long list of tough issues facing lawmakers in the post-election lame duck session that some predict will last well into December. Congress has only passed two appropriations bills for defense and military construction. Before final adjournment, lawmakers must approve the remaining eleven spending bills for FY03 or an omnibus funding bill that contains some or all of them. In addition to the homeland security bill, there is a push to complete work on several major bills that are currently being negotiated by House-Senate conference committees. These measures include a comprehensive energy package (H.R. 4, S. 517) which includes important agricultural provisions, bankruptcy reform, and Chapter 12 farm provisions. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) ON THE HILL ~~Panel Approves Forest Thinning Bill~~The House Resources Committee has approved the Healthy Forests Reform Act (H.R. 5319) which is designed to speed up forest management and thinning projects. The compromise legislation was offered by Rep. Scott McInnis (R-Colo.) who had been leading negotiations over several controversial issues. Lawmakers said that discussions will continue and they hope to bring a final bill to the House floor before Congress adjourns. The Senate has been deadlocked on a similar forest proposal that Sens. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) and Larry Craig (R-Idaho) have offered to the FY03 Interior Appropriations bill. Specifically, H.R. 5319 would expedite fuels reductions projects on National Forests Lands and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management to protect communities and water supplies. The bill limits the areas in which projects could take place, allows the agencies to conduct quicker environmental reviews, requires public comment, and sets deadlines for administrative and judicial reviews when projects are challenged. ~~House Passes Mosquito Abatement and Safety Measure~~The House has approved legislation (H.R. 4793) which authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide grants and technical assistance to states and political subdivisions to prevent and control mosquito-borne disease. Grant funding will be available to political subdivisions to develop and operate abatement programs. States can use these grant funds to coordinate mosquito control programs across the state. The bill authorizes appropriations of $100 million in FY 2003. In addition, the bill directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support research on controlling insect populations that transmit disease to humans. ~~Senator Proposes Tougher Rules for Genetically Engineered Foods~~Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced legislation (S. 3095) this week that would establish a mandatory review and approval process for genetically engineered foods. Generally, the bill would require any genetically engineered plant or animal intended for food use to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Producers would have go through a premarket consultation and approval process before such food could enter the marketplace. Consumer groups praised the bill and released a petition calling for congressional action on the proposal. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) FSIS ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO STRENGTHEN IMPORT INSPECTION SYSTEM USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that it is strengthening its reinspection program for meat and poultry imports. The agency is applying a new systems approach to inspection that provides a more accurate picture of a nation's food safety regimen, in conjunction with new computers capable of better reporting and trend analysis and oversight of the inspection force. The new system, which has been in use in Canada, will focus on a foreign country's inspection system as a whole rather than on individual plants. A new statistically-based sampling program based on the annual volume of shipments from the exporting country will be used to select import shipments for reinspection. Previously, for all countries except Canada, reinspection was assigned at random, based on the compliance history of the establishment that exported the products. FSIS has also modernized the Automated Import Information System (AIIS) to reflect the systems approach to import reinspection. The upgraded AIIS-3 computer system links inspectors at all points-of-entry, allowing information on shipments and violations to be shared immediately. The computers will assist in trend analysis and identifying problems in establishments that export to the United States. While all imported products are inspected in the country of origin and reinspected visually before being released by FSIS, the AIIS-3 selects shipments for additional reinspection verification. The additional reinspection tasks could include testing for residues, microbiology, or food chemistry. According to FSIS, the updated AIIS can capture more information, such as markings and certification numbers, that will allow the agency to better track shipments of meat and poultry products once they enter the country. In addition, inspectors will be allowed to conduct more examinations on all shipments randomly selected for reinspection, and allow for increased emphasis on food safety related tasks FSIS Administrator Dr. Garry L. McKee said "this new approach to import inspection will provide a more accurate overview of foreign inspection systems and more quickly pinpoint problems when they occur." (Contact: Charlie Ingram) BEGINNING FARMER PROGRAMS AT USDA AND FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION SEEKING INPUT The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) announced this week that a public hearing is scheduled on November 13 in Kansas City, Missouri, to consider whether regulatory changes are needed to enhance the Farm Credit System's service to young, beginning, and small farmers and ranchers, plus producers or harvesters of aquatic products. This meeting is another step in the agency's efforts to obtain public input, which will ensure that the system accommodates the current and evolving needs of young and beginning farmers as well as small farmers and ranchers. The Farm Credit System is seeking comments to specific questions that are listed in the October 18 Federal Register (page 64320) and in the September 23 Federal Register (page 59479). Those wishing to provide oral testimony must notify FCA by November 6 by submitting an email to reg-comm@fca.gov or through the Pending Regulations section of the Farm Credit Administration website at http://www.fca.gov. Written requests to testify should be sent to Thomas G. McKenzie, director, Regulation and Policy Division, Office of Policy and Analysis, Farm Credit Administration, 1501 Farm Credit Drive, McLean, VA 22102-5090 or by fax to 703/734-5784. USDA's Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers are accepting nominations for the next round of two-year terms. The 19-member committee advises the Agriculture Secretary on ways to encourage federal and state programs to provide joint financing to beginning farmers and ranchers as well as methods of maximizing new opportunities through federal and state programs. Nominations will be accepted until November 12 and can be sent to Mark Falcone, FSA. He can be reached at 202/720-1632 or email at mark_falcone@wdc.usda.gov . Nominees can include representatives from the following groups: commercial lenders; state beginning farmer programs; private nonprofit organizations active with beginning farmers; community colleges or educational institutions with demonstrated experience training beginning farmers; farmers and ranchers; and other entities or persons providing lending or technical assistance to beginning farmers and ranchers. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) 2002 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE BEGINS TO COUNT THE NATION'S FARMS Farm operators across America are about to participate in the nation's largest, most detailed statistical portrait of U.S. agriculture--the 2002 Census of Agriculture. Conducted by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the census will provide a comprehensive portrait of agriculture at the county, state, and national levels. Census of agriculture report forms will be mailed to farm operators in mid-December to collect data for the 2002 calendar year. Operators must complete and return their forms by February 3, 2003. Data provided by individual farmers is held strictly confidential by law (Title 7, U.S. Code). Statistical results are aggregated and published only in geographical summaries to prevent identification of individual farms. New questions will collect information on multiple operators per farm, production contracts, certified organic acreage, grain storage capacity, computer and Internet use, and new commodities such as bison, deer, elk, llamas, emus, and ostriches. Other questions will be similar to those asked in previous censuses and will focus on key information such as acreage and land use, operator characteristics, crop and livestock production, and agricultural product sales. Twenty-five percent of operators will also be asked about production expenses, fertilizers and chemicals, machinery and equipment, market value of land and buildings, and income from farm-related sources. How do census of agriculture results help farmers? * Farm organizations, Congress, and state and local governments have the facts needed to plan programs that help farmers get the most for their investments. * Farm machinery manufacturers, grain elevators, slaughter and cold storage, and other agribusinesses more effectively target their locations to where they are most needed by using county and state statistics, resulting in economic benefit for farm operators. * Seed and fertilizer producers compare yields and other information to help operators do the most effective job. * Irrigation specialists, water resource developers, and irrigation equipment manufacturers convert census knowledge into practical advice for farm operators. * State and national lawmakers use census facts to determine where to allocate funds that will benefit agriculture producers. * Farm broadcasters and agricultural editors convey census results to their audiences and use the data to help focus their stories on important areas of agriculture. * Researchers and legislators use county-level data to define problem areas and help farmers recover from outbreaks of disease and pests. A farm, for census purposes, is any place from which at least $1,000 worth of agricultural products were produced and sold or could have been sold during the census year. Because a key strength of the census is providing detailed facts about small farms, every response counts--whether from a large or very small operation. By responding completely and accurately, farmers and ranchers can make the 2002 Census of Agriculture an effective tool to help chart the future of their industry. Farm operators who not receive a census form in the mail by late December, contact the National Agricultural Statistics Service at 1-888-4AG-STAT. (Contact: Steve Cox) USTR TO DISCUSS GLOBAL FARM TRADE REFORMS AT CAIRNS GROUP MEETING IN BOLIVIA U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick will travel to Santa Cruz, Bolivia, for meetings October 18 to 19 with ministers from the Cairns Group of agriculture exporting countries to discuss liberalizing trade in agriculture within ongoing World Trade Organization (WTO) trade negotiations. The Cairns Group member countries are: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Fiji, Guatemala, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Paraguay, Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay. The Cairns Group of agricultural exporting countries are holding their twenty-fourth ministerial meeting on October 18 to 21. The United States and other invited guests will have the opportunity to share views as WTO agriculture negotiations approach the March 31, 2003, deadline for establishing reform modalities, such as reduction formulas for tariffs and subsidies. The U.S. has submitted a comprehensive, balanced, and equitable approach for multilateral trade reform. While it differs in some respects with positions the Cairns Group has taken, both approaches are calling for substantial liberalization of world agricultural trade, by reducing and eventually eliminating the allowed levels of export subsidies, tariffs, and trade-distorting domestic support. Zoellick, who will lead the U.S. delegation, will be joined by USDA's Under Secretary for Farm & Foreign Agricultural Services J.B. Penn; U.S. Chief Agriculture Negotiator, Ambassador Allen F. Johnson; and David Hegwood, counselor to Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman. In addition to the Cairns Group meeting, Zoellick will meet with the President of Bolivia, Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, as well as officials from other countries to discuss bilateral trade issues and the upcoming Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Ministerial in Quito, Ecuador, on November 1. In preparation of the meeting, Zoellick pointed out that the United States and the Cairns Group have both presented ambitious and comprehensive proposals within global trade negotiations to eliminate export subsidies, cut global trade-distorting subsidies, and reduce agricultural trade barriers. Current global trade negotiations, launched in Doha, Qatar in November 2001 at the Fourth WTO Ministerial, call for agriculture to be an important part of the negotiations. WTO members are scheduled to establish by March 2003 the modalities, or specific details and time frames, for negotiations to continue so as to be completed by January 1, 2005, the target date for completing the Doha Development Agenda. The Cairns Group has also put forward a comprehensive proposal to reform agricultural trade. This meeting of the Cairns Group is occurring at an important juncture in the context of the Doha negotiations. An informal WTO ministerial will take place in Sydney, Australia, November 14 to 15, to discuss the progress and future course of negotiations, including agriculture. Agricultural trade reforms in the WTO negotiations are also considered critical to the progress of other trade negotiations, such as the FTAA, because effective liberalization in agriculture requires a global approach that includes other major agriculture economies, like the European Union and Japan. Ten members of the Cairns Group are also participants in the FTAA negotiations. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) ENVIRONMENT BRIEFS ~~GAO Issues Opinion Reaffirming Conservation Program Funding~~The Government Accounting Office (GAO) issued an opinion on October 8 regarding funding for technical assistance for conservation programs in the 2002 farm bill. The GAO opinion relates to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) decision to release less than 20 percent of the funds available to provide technical assistance to implement three important conservation programs: the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), and the Farmland Protection Program (FPP). USDA has estimated that it needs $36.5 million to provide the technical assistance necessary to enroll additional acres in WRP and CRP, and to help purchase development rights to working farmland under FPP this year. This funding was included in the 2002 farm bill. However, OMB approved the release of only $5.9 million for technical assistance. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) have pushed the administration to release the funds since summer. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) has also been leading the effort to ensure technical assistance funds are made available. ~~Interior Department Seeks Proposals for New Stewardship Grants Program~~The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced it is seeking proposals for funding under the administration's new innovative Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) and its Private Stewardship Grants Program. These two programs are making $50 million in federal grant money available to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies, and to private landowners. The Landowner Incentive Program is a $40 million competitive grant program for state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies and tribes. It supports collaborative efforts with private landowners interested in conserving natural habitat while they continue to engage in traditional land-use practices. It can provide technical or financial assistance to private landowners for the protection, restoration, and management of habitat to benefit species at-risk, including federally-listed endangered or threatened species as well as proposed or candidate species on private land. Landowners interested in participating in the LIP should contact their state fish and wildlife agency. The deadline for states to submit proposals is December 2, 2002. The Private Stewardship Grants Program provides $10 million in federal grants and other assistance on a competitive basis to individuals and groups engaged in voluntary conservation efforts on private lands that benefit at-risk species including federally-listed endangered or threatened species as well as proposed or candidate species. Under this program, landowners and their partners will be able to submit proposals directly to the Service for funding to support those efforts. The deadline for private landowners and their partners to submit proposals is December 2, 2002. For more information on the two grant programs and on how and where to submit proposals, please visit the Service=s website at http://www.fws.gov and click on "grants." ~~Negotiations Continue on Comprehensive Energy Bill~~A House-Senate conference committee is continuing negotiations on a comprehensive energy package (H.R. 4, S. 517). Lawmakers have been deadlocked on a number of issues and it remains unclear whether the bill will be completed before Congress finally adjourns. The legislation includes several issues important to agriculture, such as a mandate for tripling ethanol production to a peak of five million gallons. Other provisions of the legislative package include renewable energy and rural construction grants, additional fuel efficiency standards, restructuring the electricity industry, and hydroelectric licensing. Two of the most controversial issues are global warming strategy and provisions that would allow oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). ~~Bill Introduced to Increase Security of Wastewater Treatment Plants~~Sen. Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.) has introduced legislation to authorize $185 million to increase the safety and security of the nation's wastewater treatment plants. Jeffords is the chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "The Wastewater Treatment Works Security and Safety Act" provides funds to assess vulnerability and implement security improvements. It also provides $15 million for grants to help small communities conduct vulnerability assessments, develop emergency response plans, and address potential threats to the treatment works. The House passed a similar bill (H.R. 5169) in September. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) FOOD SAFETY BRIEFS ~~Food Recalls Hit East and West Coast~~USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) announced on October 12 that Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, doing business as Wampler Foods Inc., is voluntarily recalling approximately 27.4 million pounds of fresh and frozen ready-to-eat turkey and chicken products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recall is the largest ever by a meat or poultry company. The establishment is located in Pennsylvania and the products were produced between May 1 and Oct. 11. The turkey and chicken products were distributed to retail stores, restaurants and institutions nationwide. FSIS Administrator Dr. Garry L. McKee said "we want consumers to be aware of the recall because of the potential for foodborne illness." The October 12 recall is an expansion of an earlier October 9 recall of 295,000 pounds of turkey and chicken products. It is the result of FSIS' continuing scientific investigation into the cause of illnesses, deaths and miscarriages in the Northeast from Listeria monocytogenes. Meanwhile, a California-based company recalled some ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. The problem was discovered through routine microbiological testing by FSIS. The list of recalled products is available by logging onto http://www.fsis.usda.gov. Consumers with food safety questions can phone the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. ~~USDA Issues Update on Food Recall~~USDA Secretary Ann M. Veneman issued a statement on October 17 outlining the departments actions regarding the recall of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation's ready-to eat meat products (see separate story). Veneman said that USDA, along with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other federal and state health agencies, was continuing its scientific investigation into the situation. She emphasized that the voluntary recall and the removal of product from retail establishments was actively underway. USDA is also conducting an aggressive education and outreach campaign to consumers, particularly those at higher risk. Veneman said the plant involved would remain closed until their investigation was complete and appropriate corrective actions in that facility had been taken to protect the public health. Veneman is also directing FSIS to develop a plan to strengthen the current testing program Listeria monocytogenes, focusing on those establishments that produce the vast majority of products. USDA will also require that establishments producing ready-to-eat products reassess their HACCP plans to account for the likelihood of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. ~~FSIS Releases Documents on E. Coli Policies~~USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued ten documents related to its policies on E. coli O157:H7 contamination of beef and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) system regulations. The documents are intended to be a resource for industry to consider in their reassessment of their HACCP plans. In late September, FSIS ordered meat and poultry plants to perform a comprehensive reexamination of their food safety systems and include a step to eliminate or reduce the risk of E. coli O157:H7 in their product. The agency also announced a series of new actions that it is taking to further prevent E. Coli contamination in ground beef. The documents are available on the FSIS website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPPDE/rdad/FRPubs/Docs_00-022N.htm. ~~Panel Issues Report on Micro Performance Standards~~On October 11, 2002, the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF) issued a final report addressing several questions related to Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) performance standards. The committee concluded that performance standards are valuable tools for verifying process control at slaughter and ground beef establishments. NACMCF also noted that existing public health statistics make it very difficult to specifically attribute reductions in enteric (intestinal) diseases to performance standards. In addition, the committee noted that before new standards or approaches are adopted, more research should be conducted and alternative standards or approaches examined. NACMCF was directed to prepare the report and recommendations under an amendment which was added to the FY01 Agriculture Appropriations bill by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). The report is available from the FSIS website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPHS/nacmcf/2002/rep_stand2.pdf. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is expected to release a report on performance standards in the spring of 2003. ~~NAS Reviews FSIS Risk Assessment on E. Coli 0157:H7~~The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has released a review of USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service's (FSIS) "Draft Risk Assessment on E. coli O157:H7 in Ground Beef." The review, requested by FSIS, was conducted by an expert committee of the NAS to analyze the draft risk assessment and to offer recommendations and suggestions for consideration as FSIS finalizes the document. The report commends the authors of the risk assessment for conducting a thorough review of available data and integrating that information. It also provides many specific suggestions for improvement of the risk assessment, including two unifying concepts that the committee says should be addressed before finalizing the document. A copy of the full report is available at http://books.nap.edu/books/0309086272/html/. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) PESTICIDE BRIEFS ~~Agency Plans Seminar on Agricultural Worker Risks~~The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public seminar on October 29 to 30, 2002, on the decision process used by the agency in assessing risks to agricultural workers. Topics on the agenda include: overview of the worker risk assessment process, agricultural handler risk assessment for selected crop/handler scenarios, post application risk assessment for selected crop/post application worker scenarios, and presentations relating to post-exposure evaluation. Stakeholders from two of EPA's federal advisory committees, the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) and the Committee to Advise on Reassessment and Transition (CARAT), have expressed interest in better understanding the process followed by the Office of Pesticide Programs when developing agricultural worker risk assessments. EPA is planning two seminars to address these issues. This first seminar will focus on the inputs, decisions, calculations, and end results of the worker risk assessment process for agricultural handlers and post applicators. Presentations will include information about occupational incident data bases and post exposure evaluations. There will also be presentations by the Task Forces for Agricultural Handlers Exposure and Agricultural Reentry. There will be an opportunity for questions and comments by the public. Any person who wishes to file a written statement may do so before or after the meeting. The docket number associated with this meeting is OPP-2002-0292. Additional information is available on EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides. ~~Comments Requested on EPA's Strategic Plan~~EPA is revising its Strategic Plan and the Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) is encouraging its stakeholders to provide comments. EPA's Strategic Plan will guide resource and program decisions over the next five years. The agency is interested in views on the following questions: (1) What are the most important human health and environmental challenges related to pesticides, industrial chemicals, and pollution prevention that EPA should address in the next 10 years? (2) What specific strategies and activities should EPA strengthen or initiate to address those challenges? (3) What are the most important changes EPA could make to become more effective and efficient in the pesticide, industrial chemicals, and pollution prevention program areas? Comments may be submitted electronically at http://www.epa.gov/edocket through Docket Number OPP-2002-0282 by November 11, 2002. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) TRADE BRIEFS ~~Trade Show Opportunity in Hungary~~USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) will host an American Caf‚ at the Foodapest 2002 trade show in Budapest, Hungary, November 26 to 29. At the American Caf‚, located in the U.S. pavilion, a company's products can be displayed without the expense of a full booth. For a fee of $350, FAS staff will display and distribute sample products to potential customers. Hungary has 10 million consumers and a $7,400 annual per capita income. The gross domestic product grows about 4 percent annually, and Hungary imports at least $44 million in agricultural goods from the United States. In April 2002, Hungary reduced or suspended tariffs on key U.S. agricultural and industrial products, which could mean an additional $180 million worth of exports annually. For information on exhibiting products at the American Caf‚, or for more information on other USDA endorsed shows, contact Sharon Cook, FAS Trade Show Office, 202/720-3425 or email, Sharon.Cook@fas.usda.gov. ~~U.S. Customs to Hold Trade Symposium in November~~Members of the international trade and transportation industry as well as other interested parties are encouraged to participate in the U.S. Customs Trade Symposium on November 21 to 22 in Washington, D.C. The two-day event will include discussions between senior Customs managers and representatives of the trade community on topics related to international trade security initiatives and the agency's inclusion in the proposed Department of Homeland Security. This year's symposium has been extended to include a special session on Nov. 22 to discuss current trade legislation and proposed Customs regulations. The registration fee is $150 and registration must be made on-line at http://www.customs.gov/trade2002 . ~~USDA Hosts Seminar on Export Credit Guarantee Programs~~On November 6, FAS will conduct a free seminar on the export credit guarantee programs for commercial financing of U.S. agricultural exports. These USDA Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) programs encourage exports to buyers in countries where credit is necessary to maintain or increase U.S. sales, but where financing may not be available without CCC guarantees. The programs that will be reviewed during the seminar are the GSM-102 Export Credit Guarantee program, the GSM-103 intermediate Export Credit Guarantee program and the Supplier Credit Guarantee Program. The seminar will include program announcements on specific country and commodity allocations, length of credit periods, the required form of promissory note, and other program information and requirements. To register, or for more information, contact Lesley Weldon at 202/720-6212 or e-mail at lesley.weldon@usda.gov. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) STATE NEWS SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT RECEIVES FOOD SAFETY GRANT South Dakota State University (SDSU), in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture, is using over $45,000 dollars awarded through the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) food safety grants program to develop inspection methods which will detect antimicrobials in animal feeds. The department is working in conjunction with the SDSU's Analytical Services Laboratory of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry to determine an analytical approach in the detection of aminoglycoside anitimicrobials. The proposed method development is based on solvent extraction and separation, chemical derivatization, and fluorescence or mass spectrometric detection. Aminoglycosides are any of a group of broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as streptomycin, derived from species of Streptomyces or Micomonospora bacteria and used to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. Neomycin is a type of aminoglycoside, which has bacterial action against E. coli, Klebsiella, Salmonella, and Pastrella. Method development will be aimed at creating an analytical method for the quantitative determination of neomycin in animal feeds, but should be directly applicable to other aminoglycoside antimicrobials and other materials, such as tissues. The developed method will be broadly disseminated to state agriculture laboratories and other testing laboratories for use in the inspection process. FDA recently announced grants to ten state and local regulatory innovative programs designed to enhance food safety. These programs address the risks of foodborne disease in such diverse settings as animal feed plants, juice/cider operations, grocery stores, and schools. The state and local regulatory programs were awarded FDA grants totaling $350,000 and are part of the federal food safety program designed to promote the development of improved state and local food safety programs. "These grants highlight the important role that state and local authorities play in contributing to the continued improvement of America's food safety system," said Dr. Lester M. Crawford, FDA deputy commissioner. "Their partnership with FDA is a crucial element in assuring the development of cutting-edge approaches to promoting food safety." The grants are for a one-year period and are awarded in two key areas--inspection techniques and education/health dissemination. (Contact: George Williams, 605/773-5425, or Nancy Thiex, 605/688-5466) MDA KICKS OFF LIVESTOCK FRIENDLY COUNTIES PROGRAM --Voluntary program designed to help rural counties retain, attract farmers Seeking to bolster the long-term prospects of animal agriculture in the state, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) this week officially kicked off a new program designed to help match farmers with counties interested in building their agricultural sector. Authorized by the 2002 Minnesota Legislature, the Livestock Friendly Counties (LFC) Program is a voluntary initiative with the goal of helping counties that value the economic contributions of animal agriculture and are willing to take steps to create and sustain a business environment conducive to its success. The program was first proposed by the Minnesota Dairy Leaders Roundtable, an umbrella organization representing dairy farmers, processors, and other stakeholders, in an attempt to address the ongoing erosion of Minnesota's animal agriculture sector. The number of farms in Minnesota has been in a steady decline for decades, but livestock sector has been particularly hard hit. Since 1992, the number of Minnesota dairy farms dropped from 14,500 to less than 7,000. Beef, pork and poultry producers are also stressed. Fewer livestock producers means fewer local processors and support industries. Ultimately, it means fewer purchases on Main Street, fewer businesses and schools, and further decline of Minnesota's small towns. MDA Commissioner Gene Hugoson said many local officials understand this link between agriculture and small-town vitality, and want to help retain and strengthen animal agriculture as the foundation of their local economies. "Through this program, communities in greater Minnesota now have a way to get the word out to farmers that they are serious about hanging on to their agricultural sector," Hugoson said. "For years, livestock production has shifted out of Minnesota to western states in part because farmers believe the economic and regulatory environment out west is better for farming. Through this Livestock-Friendly Counties program, we hope to change that mindset. We want to help local officials develop a business climate that encourages farmers of all sizes to stay here or even relocate here." The LFC program has three goals: first, to identify counties that value the economic importance of livestock production; second, to help those counties strengthen their livestock sectors while also protecting the environment; and third, to promote the counties as good places for farmers to do business. The program sets forth criteria for counties to meet in order to be designated "livestock friendly." The criteria include evidence of support from county commissioners and other local government leaders, certification that the county's land-use laws are conducive to a viable animal agriculture sector, and the absence of disqualifying factors such as moratoriums on construction of new livestock facilities. Counties that meet these criteria can voluntarily apply to the MDA for designation as a Livestock-Friendly County. County officials looking for more information about the Livestock-Friendly Counties Program can contact Bob Patton at 651/296-5226. Hugoson said the LFC program will seek opportunities to help counties protect their natural resources while also building a healthy and diverse animal agriculture sector. "This program is just a way for counties to advertise themselves as a good place to farm," Hugoson said. "It will serve as a selling point for counties, attracting farmers and the immense economic activity they generate on Main Street. I refuse to accept the idea that Minnesota has to choose between a healthy agricultural economy and a healthy environment. We need both, and that's our goal." (Contact: Michael Schommer, 651/297-1629) AG PRODUCERS CAN ACCESS COMMISSION MERCHANTS, DEALER INFO ON WSDA WEBSITE The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has launched a new Web page with information that helps producers, buyers and sellers of agricultural products avoid unfair business practices and fraud. The Web page lists licensed dealers, brokers, commission merchants, and cash buyers that do business in a wide range of agricultural commodities and includes forms that producers and licensees may need. The site is at http://www.wa.gov/agr/Inspection/CommissionMerchants/default.htm. Investigators from the department's Commission Merchants Program last year handled 74 complaints of disputed bills, recovering $1.75 million for producers. They enforce state laws that regulate those who purchase agricultural products from producers, or market products on a consignment basis. Dealers, commission merchants, cash buyers, and agents are required to be licensed annually with WSDA, and in some cases bonded. "Producers need to know who they are doing business with," said Jerry Buendel, program manager for the Commission Merchants Program. "Recent experiences with claims have shown that growers recover as little as three cents on the dollar. We know some farmers are operating on the edge and the last thing they need is for someone to harm them through unscrupulous business practices." The program, which is funded through license fees and other charges, has offices in Yakima, Moses Lake, and Olympia. "We enforce the Commission Merchants Act by taking complaints and tips from producers and businesses, by conducting inspections at weigh stations, and by patrolling roadways," said Bob Radke, investigations supervisor. To contact program staff, send an e-mail to commerch@agr.wa.gov, call 509/225-2616 or 360/902-1854. (Contact: Mike Louisell, 360/902-1813) ANIMAL HEALTH CHALLENGES ADDRESSED WITH CHANGE AT ISDA --Department to Recruit Animal Health and Livestock Bureau Chief On Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Industries, announced that the agency was seeking to recruit a veterinarian to serve as the bureau chief of the Animal Health and Livestock Bureau. "Dr. Phil Mamer recently announced his decision to accept a wildlife veterinary position with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. That prompted us to look at what challenges we are dealing with today that we haven't dealt with in the past," said Dr. Bob Hillman, Idaho state veterinarian and administrator of the Division of Animal Industries. "Animal health issues are at the forefront of our efforts and we are shifting resources to better meet the changing demands of the health of Idaho's livestock and other animals," said Hillman. The person who meets the qualifications must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Idaho or be eligible for a license in Idaho. The primary responsibilities of the new bureau chief will include investigating disease outbreaks; conducting disease and animal cruelty investigations; and managing programs including animal health, game farming and commercial aquaculture. Application information can be found at http://www.dhr.state.id.us/announcements/00184007176.asp. For more information contact Julie Pipal, Idaho State Department of Agriculture, at 208/332-8671. |
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