|
A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture NASDA APPROVES HOMELAND SECURITY POLICY
NASDA MEETS WITH AGRICULTURE SECRETARY & SUBCABINET MEMBERS
ANIMAL INDENTIFICATION DISCUSSED AT NASDA's PLENARY SESSION
USDA OFFICIALS TO ADDRESS 14TH TRI-NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL ACCORD
ANIMAL AND PLANT INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION ON ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH ISSUES
FOOD COMMITTEE REVIEWS NUTRITION AND SECURITY ISSUES
MARKETING AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION ON COOL AND SPECIALTY CROPS
RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL SECURITY COMMITTEE DISCUSS KEY ISSUES AT MIDYEAR MEETING
ON THE HILL
ENVIRONMENT AND PESTICIDE BRIEFS
FOOD SAFETY BRIEFS
TRADE BRIEFS
USDA NEWS
State News--LDAF UPGRADES TESTING OF CATTLE FEED
State News--STATE STUDY SHOWS RISE IN WATER QUALITY PROTECTION ON TIMBER HARVESTS
Past Issues What's New on the NASDA Website
Directive to Protect Agriculture and Food Register for NASDA's Midyear Conference Survey on Renaming the APHIS/ARS Facility at Ames Information on the Agricultural Jobs, Opportunity, Benefits, and Security (AgJOBS) Act of 2003 NASDA's Specialty Crop website Comments on the "One Face at the Border" Initative The Agricultural Jobs, Opportunity, Benefits, and Security (AgJOBS) Act of 2003
|
NASDA APPROVES HOMELAND SECURITY POLICY NASDA members approved a new policy statement on homeland security during their midyear meeting held in Washington, D.C., last week. The policy was developed by NASDA's Task Force on Food and Agriculture Security chaired by New York Agriculture Commissioner Nathan Rudgers. The comprehensive policy document emphasizes the need to protect the integrity and safety of the nation's agriculture and food infrastructure. It calls for a coordinated communication strategy outlining the roles and responsibilities of local, state, and federal governments. The policy supports the development of an integrated national food and agriculture protection strategy and addresses a number of issue areas including: (1) threat and vulnerability assessments; (2) contaminated food products; (3) traceback; (4) laboratory capacity; (5) response systems; and (6) incident recovery. The policy also urges more federal funding for state homeland security activities. Copies of the policy will be posted on NASDA's website soon. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) NASDA MEETS WITH AGRICULTURE SECRETARY & SUBCABINET MEMBERS On February 23, NASDA members sat down with Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman to discuss a variety of key issues facing agriculture. In addition, NASDA held an interactive dialogue with USDA's Under Secretaries about issues in their specific mission areas. During the afternoon session, Under Secretary for Food Safety Elsa Murano described USDA's activities related to food safety and security. She also outlined the Food Safety and Inspection Service's (FSIS) thinking on reviews of state meat and poultry inspection programs. Murano emphasized that a key goal is to improve the working relationship and communication with the states. Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Mark Rey discussed the President's recently enacted Healthy Forests Initiative and implementation of 2002 farm bill conservation programs. In addition, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services J.B. Penn informed the NASDA members that a big effort is underway to restart the Doha Round on trade issues and that the U.S. is engaged in a very active bilateral agenda. Joseph Jen, under secretary for Research, Education and Economics, and Joe Reilly, deputy administrator, field operations, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, also spoke to group. Earlier in the day, U.S. Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) addressed NASDA members during the plenary session. He said that deficits loom large in the minds of congressional members as they pursue to handle legislative business in a very political year. In regard to key legislation, he views that energy policy and farm labor reform legislation are two areas, if approved this session, which would contribute greatly to agriculture's future. Craig is the main cosponsor of S. 1645, the "Agricultural Job, Opportunity, Benefits and Security Act" (AgJOBS), which has 51 cosponsors in the Senate. The bill provides substantial reform to the H-2A program and allows one-time earned adjustment of status based on future work and lawful behavior. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen and Charlie Ingram) ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION DISCUSSED AT NASDA's PLENARY SESSION During NASDA's plenary session on February 23, a number of speakers updated NASDA members on the status of state and federal animal identification systems. In the wake if the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) incident in Washington State, one of the recommendations consistently identified as an important program addition is the need for an identification and tracing system that is capable of identifying an animal and trace it within 48 hours. For example, international experts reviewing the USDA's actions during the BSE incident identified this need as an important issue, there are several pieces of legislation currently in Congress which would establish animal identification systems, and for the past two years a private-public partnership has been developing a U.S. Animal Identification Plan (USAIP), which has been available for comments for some time. Many other private systems are also available. USDA has indicated both a sense of urgency and the need for cautious reasoning in implementing such a system. The USAIP task force is completing its plan for implementing the plan but lacks USDA authority to proceed. Conversely, many have concerns about who will have access to the information collected by the plan. Dr. Valerie Ragan, assistant deputy administrator, Veterinary Services, provided an update on issues being discussed between the partners of the public/private partnership and USDA's progress in assessing the possible program dimensions necessary to implement an adequate identification system. Two state programs, Nebraska ( primarily a branding state) and Wisconsin (primarily a dairy state) demonstrated the programs that have been developed in their states to deal with premises registration and some of the options available to cope with animal identification. A policy amendment was adopted, which creates a new section, "Animal Identification," in its Animal Health Protection and Disease Control Policy. Action items passed to support this new policy area urge USDA to adopt the U.S. Animal Identification Plan as the framework for continued planning on a national animal identification system and urge Congress to provide consistent funding. (Contact: Bob Ehart) USDA OFFICIALS TO ADDRESS 14TH TRI-NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL ACCORD NASDA's President, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson, will lead a U.S. delegation of NASDA members to meet with Mexico's state secretaries of agriculture and Canada's provincial ministers of agriculture at the 14th Tri-National Agricultural Accord in Mexico, March 10 through 13. Bill Hawks, USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, will be on hand to discuss bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and other animal health issues affecting trade with the Accord participants. From the Foreign Agricultural Service, Patricia Shiekh, deputy administrator, international trade policy, and Lloyd Day, special assistant to the administrator for Mexican affairs, will provide reports on the Consultative Committees on Agriculture (CCA) for Canada and Mexico, respectively. The Accord is designed to provide a forum and mechanism for Canadian provinces and U.S. and Mexican states to exchange information, views, and suggestions on various aspects of the agriculture and food industries in their respective jurisdictions. During the Accord meeting, three bilateral meetings will take place. The U.S./Mexico Accord Working Group, co-chaired by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs, will be meeting to discuss a host of issues, including farm labor, bioterrorism, rural economic development and animal health issues. The U.S./Canada Accord Working Group, co-chaired by Montana Agriculture Director Ralph Peck, has plans to discuss pesticide harmonization, agricultural biotechnology, and animal health issues affecting trade including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). This year, the Accord will also include a trilateral discussion on the current circumstances of BSE in North America. The Canada/Mexico Accord Working Group will also meet. As part of the Accord, Mexico will provide tours of rural production improvement projects. The government of the state of Jalisco is hosting the meeting in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. The three countries rotate hosting the Accord meeting and in 2005, the meeting will take place in the United States. Last year, Canada hosted the meeting in Montreal. Information about the Accord can be found on NASDA's website at http://www.nasda.org/Accord/index_en.htm. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) ANIMAL AND PLANT INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION ON ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH ISSUES NASDA's Animal and Plant Industries Committee, chaired by West Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Gus Douglass held its first full-day meeting on February 22 with a morning, members-only session and an open session in the afternoon. The Animal and Plant Industries Committee held the closed session for NASDA members and key staff including members of NASDA's affiliate organizations. The meeting provided an opportunity to assess how states programs deal with emerging safeguarding and security issues and to develop a work plan for the committee. The opportunity for an unvarnished analysis was considered helpful and plans for future closed meetings have been discussed. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) consumed much of the time available to the Committee during its open session. Under Secretary of Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services' Administrator Bobby Acord, Veterinary Services Deputy Administrator Dr. Ron DeHaven, and representatives of the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Dan McChesney, and the Food Safety and Inspection Service, Dr. Ken Petersen, discussed important elements of the BSE investigation and ongoing activities their respective agencies are taking to deal with the confirmation of BSE in a single cow in Washington State. Issues involving downer cows and the feed ban were discussed in more detail. A delegation of Canadian provincial ministers, represented by Manitoba Minister of Food and Agriculture Rosann Wowchuck emphasized the need for harmonization between the US and Canada. Representatives of two of NASDA's affiliate organizations, Dr. Jim Watson, president-elect of the National Assembly of State Livestock Health Officials, and Ben Jones, president of the Association of American Feed Control Officials, provided input as well. After additional discussion and input, the current policy statement, which was adopted at the annual meeting last year, was suspended, in favor of a working group that will rework the language. The committee will be chaired by Douglass and will be made up of representatives of each of the regions. The policy amendments dealing with this issue were referred to the working group. The committee also addressed avian influenza, invasive species, and other priority issues in plant protection and quarantine. On the issue of avian influenza, an action item on the need for a low path avian influenza monitoring and control plan was approved. The committee also created a new section to Plant Protection and Disease Control for soybean rust, and passed an amendment to the "Domestic Bee Production" policy section that requests APHIS to establish an ongoing, coordinated nationwide survey to document pest and pathogen problems in honeybees. (Contact: Bob Ehart) FOOD COMMITTEE REVIEWS NUTRITION AND SECURITY ISSUES NASDA's Food Regulation and Nutrition Committee met on February 22 to discuss a variety of issues including state meat inspection programs, nutrition initiatives, homeland security activities, and food laboratory capability. The committee is chaired by New York Agriculture Commissioner Nathan Rudgers and co-chaired by Missouri Agriculture Director Peter Hofherr. During the session, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs led a discussion on issues and trends related to obesity. She described her efforts to initiate a new program in Texas to promote healthy diets and to restrict foods of minimal nutritional value in schools. The committee plans to organize an information and educational clearinghouse on state initiatives that promote improved nutrition in schools. Bill Smith, USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) deputy administrator for field operations, outlined the agency's activities related to state meat and poultry inspection programs, including education, outreach, and training. A new director for federal-state liaison was recently appointed and a priority goal is to improve communications and working relationships with the states. The committee also heard from Dr. Robert Brackett, director of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN). He described new rules being implemented under the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 dealing with food imports, registration of food facilities, and administrative detention. A priority for FDA this year is to develop a strategic plan on produce safety including guidelines for fresh-cut produce. Another priority is to improve public communications related to recall notifications and consumer education. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) MARKETING AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION ON COOL AND SPECIALTY CROPS During NASDA's 2004 Midyear Conference, the Marketing and International Trade Committee chaired by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson heard from several USDA officials on issues of concern. USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks provided an update on the agencies that he oversees at USDA. Those agencies are the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Grain Inspection and Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). He reviewed the work of AMS, including promotion boards and the various lawsuits affecting those boards. He also apprised the committee about the impact of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on international trade. A.J. Yates, AMS administrator, gave an overview of the agency's responsibilities and some of its current activities, related to transportation issues, the organic program, cotton standards, the beef verification program and tobacco grading and market news. Ellen Terpstra, administrator of the Foreign Agricultural Service, presented the committee an update on trade agreements, including World Trade Organization negotiations, the Australia free trade agreement (FTA), Central American Free Trade Agreement, and the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas. She also reviewed efforts to maintain market access for beef and poultry in light of BSE and avian influenza in the United States. In addition, the committee heard from Dr. Bruce Anderson of Cornell University on the AEconomic Impact of Agricultural Marketing Orders.@ He outlined various lawsuits that have occurred at the state and federal level since 1997 and his plans to conduct a macroeconomic study on promotion marketing orders. Just this week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit determined that the dairy checkoff is not government speech and violates the First Amendment. In response to the ruling, Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman issued a press statement that said, "USDA regards such programs, when properly administered, as effective tools for market enhancement. We are consulting with the U.S. Department of Justice to determine the next steps regarding this matter." The committee also heard from Philip Wall, director of the Office of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Textiles Trade Affairs at the U.S. State Department. He informed the committee about how the department explains and defends U.S. agriculture trade policy and biotechnology across the world. He also discussed how the State Department cooperates with other federal agencies, such as USDA and Food and Drug Administration, to carry out the U.S. position across the globe. California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura provided an update on the actions of NASDA's Specialty Crops Task Force, including progress on NASDA's report to Congress on the specialty crops block grant program. The report is on schedule to be printed in March. Bob Schramm provided an update on H.R. 3242, the "Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act" which permanently authorizes the block grant program. The committee approved by voice vote NASDA's endorsement of H.R. 3242. In other action , the committee approved by voice vote to send a letter urging Congress to restore full funding of country-of-origin labeling (COOL) and the original implementation date for COOL of September 2004. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL SECURITY COMMITTEE DISCUSS KEY ISSUES AT MIDYEAR MEETING NASDA's Rural Development and Financial Security Committee, chaired by North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson, heard from James R. Little, administrator, Farm Service Agency (FSA), on recent accomplishments and current challenges at FSA. Some of those accomplishments are signing up nearly two million farmers for programs, implementing a crop disaster program in record time and administering the 26th CRP sign-up using new software that streamlined the process. In addition, FSA administered in cooperation with 13 states the Non Fat Dry Milk Drought Assistance program. He provided an overview of the strategic planning process at FSA and asked NASDA members to provide suggestions on how state departments of agriculture could work cooperatively with FSA. In addition, he reported how the Catfish Assistance Program was a good example of how partnerships can be formed with state departments of agriculture, in coordination with NASDA, to effectively carry out programs. Allan Johnson, director, legislative and public affairs, at Rural Development, provided information about a new marketing initiative at Rural Development. He pointed out that in 2003, Rural Development's investment was $2.9 billion in discretionary budget authority and this in turn leveraged $13.6 billion in rural infrastructure. Rural Development has developed a new logo and tag line and will be rolling out a new outreach effort in the coming days. The committee also heard a presentation on the "Rural Renaissance Act," S. 1796, by Jeff Harrison, legislative director, Office of U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (R-Minn.). The legislation establishes the Rural Renaissance Corporation to issue rural renaissance bonds for the financing of qualified projects. New York Agriculture Commissioner Nathan Rudgers, Farm Labor Task Force chair, reported to the committee how NASDA has been working with the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform to seek support and passage of S. 1645 and H.R. 3142, the "Agricultural Job, Opportunity, Benefits and Security Act" (AgJOBS). He informed the committee about NASDA signing a joint letter with nearly 400 organizations requesting Congress to enact the bipartisan bill. He introduced Craig Regelbrugge, senior director of government relations, American Nursery and Landscape Association and co-chair, Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform (ACIR). Regelbrugge provided a thorough report on farm labor reform legislation introduced in Congress. He explained in detail the provisions of the AgJOBS legislation and how it has 51 cosponsors in the Senate and 88 cosponsors in the House. The bill provides substantial reform to the H-2A program and allows one-time earned adjustment of status based on future work and lawful behavior. Montana Agriculture Director Ralph Peck, co-chair of NASDA's Warehouse Task Force, and Indiana Assistant Commissioner Joe Pearson, co-chair of the Warehouse Task Force, reported on the activities of the task force and Warehouse Working Group (WWG). NASDA is currently part of WWG which includes representatives from the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Association of American Warehouse Control Officials (AAWCO), the National Farmers Union, and the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA). Representatives from each of the five organizations have been meeting since May 2003 to develop recommendations on potential changes to the federal grain warehouse program. While complex and difficult, these discussions have been conducted in good faith and have been meaningful, substantive, and constructive. The working group continues to determine if a consensus can be reached on recommendations to Congress and USDA. The task force recommended that the WWG continue its efforts until April 30, 2004. The committee also heard from Chip Kunde, senior vice president, legislative & economic affairs, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), on current dairy legislation and industry activities. He did not expect any major dairy legislation in the second session of the 108th Congress. IDFA is following the reauthorization of the Childhood Nutrition Act which will include provisions on beverages sold in schools. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) ON THE HILL ~~Committees Plan Hearings on Animal Identification~~Sen. Jim Talent (R-Mo.), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Marketing, Inspection and Product Promotion, announced the committee will hold a hearing on March 4 to examine the development of a national animal identification program (ID) to trace livestock from farm to market. Expected witnesses include USDA Undersecretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. The House Agriculture Committee has also scheduled a field hearing on development of an animal ID system on March 5 in Houston, Texas. ~~Lawmaker Urges Crackdown on Illegal Cockfighting~~Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) is urging his colleagues to support legislation he has introduced that would help prevent the spread of avian influenza and other diseases by cracking down on the illegal movement of fighting roosters. The "Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act" would make it a federal felony to move fighting birds or dogs in interstate or foreign commerce. ~~New Chairman for Energy and Commerce Committee~~Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) officially took over the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee this week after receiving full House approval. Barton replaces Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-La.), who resigned the chairmanship effective February 16 and announced he would not run for reelection. The committee has jurisdiction over several agriculture-related issues, including the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) and the Clean Water Act. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) ENVIRONMENT AND PESTICIDE BRIEFS ~~EPA Prepares To Implement New Pesticide Fee Legislation~~The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is implementing new legislation which establishes pesticide registration service fees for registration actions in three pesticide program divisions: Antimicrobials, Biopesticides and Pollution Prevention, and the Registration Divisions. The category of action, the amount of the pesticide registration service fee, and the corresponding decision review periods by year are prescribed in the statute. The goal is to create a more predictable evaluation process for affected pesticide decisions, and couple the collection of individual fees with specific decision review periods. The legislation also promotes shorter decision review periods for reduced-risk applications. ~~Farm Groups Urge Increased Funding for Water Resource Projects~~The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is among a coalition of more than 100 organizations that has sent a letter to House and Senate budget committees calling on lawmakers to increase FY05 funding for water resource development projects. The letter notes that farmers depend on the inland waterways system to ship millions of tons of grain domestically and to export markets. The coalition said that without adequate funding to operate and maintain the locks and dams on the waterways, the commodity growers will face unreliable transportation and increased freight rates. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the agency that manages waterways infrastructure, port improvements, and flood control projects. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) FOOD SAFETY BRIEFS ~~FSIS Administrator Accepts New Position~~USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Elsa Murano this week announced that Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Administrator Dr. Garry L. McKee has been named science advisor for the Technical Service Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The press statement said that McKee chose to apply for the position in Nebraska to be geographically closer to his family. In his new position, McKee will provide scientific and public health guidance to the Technical Service Center staff. McKee was named FSIS administrator in July 2002. During his tenure he developed the first training program specific to an inspector's assignment and regionalized training to make it more convenient for FSIS personnel. Murano also announced the selection of Dr. Barbara Masters, a veterinarian, as acting FSIS administrator until a permanent administrator is appointed. Dr. Masters has served with the agency in several positions and was instrumental in the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety system. ~~Food Labeling Bill Introduced~~Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) has introduced legislation requiring nutritional information to be displayed on chain restaurant menus and vending machines. Harkin announced the legislation at a press conference with the Center for Science in the Public Interest who released a study showing that many of the items widely available on children's menus at chain restaurants are loaded with calories and fat. Harkin cited the study as proof that consumers are in need of additional information at restaurants in order to make healthy choices for themselves and their children. Harkin said he intends to offer more initiatives later this year to address rising rates of obesity and promote wellness among children and adults. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) TRADE BRIEFS ~~U.S. Officials Welcome Action by China on Biotech Crops~~This week, China approved final safety certificates for Roundup Ready soybeans and two corn and two cotton products. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman and U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick stated in a press statement that the United States welcomes the announcement that China's Ministry of Agriculture has completed its biotechnology regulatory review of several key agricultural products. These biotech crop approvals are a significant development that should assure continued U.S. access to this important market. The announcement is considered good news for American farmers since China is the top foreign customer for U.S. soybeans and cotton. For the first five months of the current marketing year, U.S. soybean sales to China reached 8.3 million metric tons, more than a third of total U.S. soybean sales to all export destinations. The decision comes after extensive testing by Chinese scientists who confirmed the safety of these crops, which has long been realized in the United States. The successful outcome of this issue resulted from close cooperation between the U.S. and China. This is the first permanent approval issued by China for imports of a food commodity produced through modern biotechnology. Previously, China required traders to obtain temporary safety certificates, usually good for only a few months, if they wished to import biotech grains. China is expected to finalize the safety approvals for other biotechnology products in the near future. ~~WTO Director Says U.S. Must Lead in Doha Talks~~In a speech to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., this week, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director, General Supachai Panitchpakdi warned that the alternative to the Doha Round is "a fragmented world, with greater conflict and uncertainty." He stressed that U.S. leadership is "indispensable" to the world trading system and the success of the negotiations. His full speech can be located at http://www.wto.org/. ~~WTO Panel Selections on GMOs Possible by Early March~~The United States, Argentina, and Canada asked World Trade Organization (WTO) Director, General Supachai Panitchpakdi this week to appoint a panel to rule on their WTO complaint against the European Union restrictions on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The three countries believe that the restrictions violate various provisions under the WTO's Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, and the Agreement on Agriculture. The WTO director has 10 days, to select the three panelists. Additional information can be found at http://www.ustr.gov/new/biotech.htm. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) USDA NEWS ~~Crop Insurance Forms Due~~USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) is reminding producers of the February 28 (March 1, since February 28 is a Saturday) and March 15, 2004, sales closing dates for crop insurance. These sales closing dates apply to most of the spring-planted crops. RMA's crop insurance program is designed to help producers when they need it the most; and provide a safety net compatible with international trade commitments. Sales closing dates can vary by crop, state, and county so producers should consult a crop insurance agent to discuss their options. A listing of crop insurance agents and other information is available on the RMA website at http://www.rma.usda.gov. ~~RMA Announces Up to $5 Million in Financial Assistance in 15 States~~This week, USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced that Congress has made available up to $5 million to reduce the cost of crop insurance for producers in 15 historically underserved states. RMA's Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program will provide these funds as financial assistance to producers as authorized by the Federal Crop Insurance Act (FCIA). The AMA program for crop insurance is available to producers in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. These are the 15 states designated in the law as historically underserved with respect to crop insurance. Three million dollars has been reserved for those states (Pennsylvania and Maryland) that have provided state-funded premium-assistance programs for producers. To qualify, producers operating in these 15 states must be insured with certain crop insurance policies that have sales closing dates on or after February 16, 2004, and acreage reporting dates before September 30, 2004. No additional application is necessary. A list of crop insurance agents is available at local Farm Service Agency offices or by using RMA's Agent Locator at: http://www3.rma.usda.gov/tools/agents/. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak Molen) STATE NEWS LDAF UPGRADES TESTING OF CATTLE FEED In response to the mad cow concerns of Louisiana citizens, Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Bob Odom has directed department personnel to increase testing of beef and dairy feed in Louisiana for prohibited material. "We began to randomly test feed samples brought into the laboratory more than a year before the first case of mad cow in this country was found last December. Now, however, I have had our ag chemistry lab personnel step up the process to the point that all ruminant feed samples are subjected to a testing program," Odom said. Mad cow is popular shorthand for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE. It infects brain, spinal column and lower intestine tissue. The meat sold to consumers is muscle meat. It does not contain parts of the brain, spinal column or intestine. However, in the past, those BSE-susceptible parts were included in processed feed products used in livestock feeding. "To restore public confidence in the beef market in Louisiana and put the manufacturers on notice that their feeds are being closely monitored, we have stepped up our testing process to include all ruminant feeds," Odom said. "While the Food and Drug Administration is expanding their inspection of plants for proper manufacture and storage of feed products, they do not have the laboratory capacity for large-scale testing. The Louisiana program is designed to avoid duplication of effort, yet complement the FDA inspection program with a more comprehensive testing program," Odom said. (Contact: Larry Michaud, 225/922-1234) STATE STUDY SHOWS RISE IN WATER QUALITY PROTECTION ON TIMBER HARVESTS A recent study of timber harvest sites across Tennessee showed that water quality protection measures, known as best management practices (BMPs), were correctly applied where needed 81.9 percent of the time, a 30 percent improvement from 62.9 percent in 1996. The study also showed that there was no potential for water quality threats 95.2 percent of the time. Forestry officials attribute the increase in BMP use and the limited number of water quality threats to the success of voluntary educational programs, technical assistance and an improved general awareness on the part of loggers of the need to protect water quality. "The good news is that most loggers are taking greater care to protect the environment and to use water quality protective measures," said Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens. "Although the study confirms the success of Master Logger training and education, this information will also help us identify areas for improvement and refine industry and agency programs to address water quality issues." The University of Tennessee Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries conducted the study for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry. The survey of harvest sites was conducted in 2003 when, the study notes, rainfall was above normal. In West Tennessee, rainfall averaged more than 10 inches above normal during the study period. Two hundred fifteen harvest sites were visited and evaluated in the use of BMPs on haul roads, skid trails, log landings, stream banks and in stream crossings. The study showed that West Tennessee had the greatest occurrence of potential water quality threats or areas where BMPs were applied incorrectly or not at all. The study suggested that the excessive rainfall, soil type of the region and availability for logger education and training may have been contributing factors. "This study indicates that timber harvesters are implementing BMPs and recognizing water quality concerns during their logging operations," said primary researcher Dr. Wayne Clatterbuck of the U.T. Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries. "We look forward to the results from the second phase of the study that will classify the BMP harvest data by ownership, level of logger training, use of timber contracts and whether a professional forester was consulted." The study also showed that stream crossings and skid trails were the greatest sources of potential water quality threats or in need of correct BMP implementation. However, stream crossings were avoided or not present two-thirds of the time, indicating that loggers were making efforts to stay away from waterways according to the study. The second phase of the study focusing on demographics of timber sales is expected in July. For more information, contact Clatterbuck at 865/974-7346, or email wclatter@utk.edu. Or, contact forest management chief David Arnold, Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry, at 615/837-5426, or email david.arnold@state.tn.us. (Contact: Tom Womack, 615/837-5118) | |||