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A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
U.S./CHINA SIGN HISTORIC TRADE AGREEMENT
HOUSE ADJOURNS AS DAIRY ISSUE DELAYS SENATE
PANEL APPROVES MASSIVE NEW LAND BILL
SENATE REJECTS MORATORIUM ON AG MERGERS
CANADA OUTLINES WTO NEGOTIATING POSITION
SIGN-UP BEGINS FOR LIVESTOCK ASSISTANCE
State News--PRODUCERS WANT TALK TURNED INTO ACTION (Courtesy of The Forum, Fargo, North Dakota)
State News--FORMER TEXAS AG CHIEF DIES IN ACCIDENT
State News--KING RELEASES STATEMENT ON ATLANTIC SALMON LISTING
State News--VETERINARIAN TO HEAD STATE MEAT INSPECTION PROGRAM
What's New on the NASDA Website
Revamped "Members' Only" section (password protected)
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INTERSTATE MEAT BILL TO BE INTRODUCED IN SENATE BEFORE ADJOURNMENT With Congress on the verge of adjournment, Senators Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) are expected to introduce legislation that would allow the interstate shipment of state-inspected meat and poultry products. NASDA President and Ohio Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey praised the bill, saying it would create a level economic playing field for all small meat and poultry processors. Over the past weeks, NASDA has been negotiating with the Senate to make specific adjustments to the bill in three areas: (1) recognition of state inspection marks; (2) requirements for state laws to be "consistent with" rather than "identical to" federal laws; and (3) the eligibility dates for interstate shipment. NASDA's affiliate organization, the National Association of State Meat and Food Inspection Directors (NASMFID), has helped assess and refine these recommendations. The Daschle-Hatch bill includes language supported by NASDA to clarify how states adopt laws that are "consistent with" federal laws. The senators believe the legislation provides maximum flexibility for states to prominently display their marks and labels and did not change provisions dealing with this issue. The eligibility date for interstate shipment was retained at October 1, 2001. At press time, the bill had not been officially assigned a number. A copy of the legislation will be posted on NASDA's website including a press statement from Fred Dailey. (Contact: Charlie Ingram or Rick Kirchhoff) U.S./CHINA SIGN HISTORIC TRADE AGREEMENT U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky and National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling announced on November 15 the successful completion of bilateral talks on China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Ambassador Barshefsky and Mr. Sperling noted in a joint statement, "We are glad that after thirteen years of negotiation, China and the United States have agreed upon a strong, commercially viable WTO agreement for China. This historic agreement is a win for American export-related jobs, for Chinese economic reform, for our global trading system and for the long-term U.S.-China relationship." The agreement provides significant access for U.S. agriculture, industrial products, and services. China will reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers to industrial goods and farm products. The agreement contains strong provisions to address import surges and unfair trade practices. China has agreed to take specific actions to ensure fair treatment for businesses operating in China. These include limits on technology transfer requirements, offsets, and export performance requirements. Some specific examples from the agreement include: * China will cut duties from an overall average of 22.1% to 17%. * China will make even greater reductions on agricultural items of particular interests to the United States. * China will establish large and increasing tariff-rate quotas for wheat, corn, rice and cotton with a substantial share reserved for private trade. * State trading for soy oil will be phased out. * China will eliminate export subsidies. This agreement represents a crucial step in China's WTO accession process; however, several important steps remain ahead. Under the WTO's accession process, China is obliged to conclude bilateral agreements with any member country seeking such talks before its accession protocol and schedule of market access commitments can be finalized and approved by the entire membership. China has completed negotiations with only 13 of the 40 WTO member countries seeking bilateral agreements, a list that now includes the U.S. as well as Australia, Chile, and Japan. Multilateral negotiations on China's accession protocol must also be finished. China must then complete its own domestic procedures for accession. Finally, in response to the commitments contained in the agreement, President Clinton will work with other WTO member countries to gain China's entry and seek approval from Congress the approval of permanent Normal Trade Relations (NTR). (Contact: Patrick Atagi) HOUSE ADJOURNS AS DAIRY ISSUE DELAYS SENATE After another week of intense budget talks, White House and congressional negotiators finally reached a deal to complete work on FY2000 appropriations legislation. The five remaining spending bills were wrapped into a single omnibus appropriations package (H.R.3194) that will fund the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Interior, Education, Commerce, Justice, and State. The House moved quickly on the afternoon of November 18th to pass the final appropriations bill and prepared to adjourn for the year. The spending package includes dairy provisions brokered by Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.). The measure would require USDA to enforce Option 1-A, preserving the current pricing structure for milk. It would also extend the Northeast Dairy Compact for another two years. Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-Minn.), angered by the dairy pricing reforms in the bill, abruptly resigned his post as one of the GOP regional whips. In addition, the administration stated its opposition to the language and threatened a veto. In the Senate, Senators Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), Russell Feingold (D-Wis.), and other Midwestern lawmakers followed through with their filibuster threat to protest the dairy provisions. Majority Leader Lott promptly filed a closure motion to cut off debate with a vote scheduled for early Saturday, November 20th. In addition, Senators Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and John Edwards (D-N.C.) threatened to hold up proceedings because $81 million in hurricane relief was left out of the bill. Senate leaders promised restore the money early next year in a supplemental appropriations bill. Agreement was also reached with Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.V.) to address a mining and clean water issue when Congress reconvenes in January. Finally, just in case the Senate does not complete action on the omnibus spending bill before Thanksgiving, lawmakers passed another continuous resolution temporarily funding the government through December 2nd. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) PANEL APPROVES MASSIVE NEW LAND BILL With support from an unlikely and bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, the House Resources Committee has approved historic legislation which would dramatically increase funding for federal and state conservation and recreation programs, urban parks, historic preservation, and wildlife conservation. The new legislation (H.R. 701) creates a revenue sharing fund dedicating more than $3 billion annually from offshore oil and gas drilling receipts to purchase environmentally sensitive land and establish recreation programs. The measure would divide $1 billion annually between the federal government and 35 coastal states to mitigate the environmental effects of mineral exploration and to support sustainable development of nonrenewable resources. It also provides $900 million annually from the Land and Water Conservation Fund for state efforts to protect ecologically sensitive sites. The bill provides $350 million for wildlife conservation and restoration programs, $125 million for urban park and recreation restoration, $100 million for historic preservation grants, and $150 million for conservation easements and species recovery. The legislation is the product of months of negotiations between House Resources Committee Chairman Don Young (R-Alaska) and Ranking Minority Member George Miller (D-Calif.), who introduced a competing bill. The panel approved the bill on a vote of 37 to 12, with only Republicans voting against it. Property rights groups and western lawmakers have staunchly opposed the legislation. Young was able to garner the necessary votes after including provisions to protect property rights and limit land purchases in western states. The bill also includes language that requires congressional approval of all federal land acquisitions. During hours of debate, the committee defeated more than a dozen amendments dealing with endangered species, restrictions on western land purchases, property rights, and allocation of funds. The only amendment adopted would direct the Interior Department and USDA to create a list of land tracts they no longer need. Chairman Young said he does not expect the full House to consider the legislation before next summer. A similar bill (S.25) has been introduced in the Senate by Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.). Their proposal also faces stiff opposition and has been stalled in negotiations. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) SENATE REJECTS MORATORIUM ON AG MERGERS The Senate this week defeated a proposal that would have imposed an 18-month moratorium on agribusiness mergers and acquisitions. The measure was offered by Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.) during debate on Bankruptcy Reform legislation (S.625). Wellstone has tied up numerous bills in an ongoing effort to force the Senate to address the problem of concentration in agriculture. Specifically, his amendment would have imposed a moratorium on mergers and acquisitions among agribusinesses with annual net revenue or assets of more than $100 million for one party and $10 million for the other. The Senate rejected the amendment on a 71 to 27 vote. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) was the only Republican to vote for the moratorium saying he wanted to send a message to the Justice Department to study mergers. Meanwhile, the overall bankruptcy reform bill became bogged down with dozens of amendments and further action this year is uncertain. The legislation would permanently extend Chapter 12 to protect family farmers by reducing the priority of capital gains liability for assets sold as part of a farmer's reorganization. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) CANADA OUTLINES WTO NEGOTIATING POSITION Canada's International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew outlined Canada's negotiating position for the World Trade Organization Ministerial this week. Pettigrew announced that the Canadian government will focus on expanding and easing access to foreign markets while ensuring that domestic policy priorities are protected.. He also stated that the emphasis of the Canadian government will be on exports as they relate to the Canadian economy and to ensure that Canadian products can be exported to more countries. Pettigrew noted that he does not see any conflict between the Canadian government's intention to demand an end to agricultural export subsidies and the ongoing operation of Canadian supply management systems, including the Canadian Wheat Board, which he said does not have a negative impact on trade or investment. Excerpts from Canada's 16 negotiating goals follow. * Agriculture Significant improvements in market access for agriculture and agri-food products, elimination of all exports subsidies for agricultural products, substantial reductions in trade distorting domestic supports, maintenance of orderly market systems, and provisions to ensure Canada's leadership in commercialization of biotechnology products. * Market access Improved access to markets of major trading partners, particularly in fish and seafood, nonferrous metals, wood products, and high-technology products, and continued reductions in tariff and non-tariff barriers, particularly in agricultural and services. * Trade remedies Strengthened multilateral disciplines on dumping and subsidies. (Contact: Patrick Atagi) NEWS ON THE HILL ~~Senate Introduces Legislation to Provide Overseas Market Access~~A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation this week aimed at providing greater market access overseas for American companies and farmers trying to sell their products to U.S. trading partners. The bill, H.R. 3393, would strengthen existing trade law by establishing a list of countries that use health and safety regulations to block imports of agriculture products and expand the ability of the U.S. Trade Representative to retaliate against governments of countries who encourage anti-competitive practices. Specifically, the bill would create a "SPS Special 301" provision. SPS is a reference to a 1994 World Trade Organization sanitary and phytosanitary agreement on food safety. The bill would also give the USTR additional tools to counteract cooperations between foreign governments and companies that create market access barriers for other countries. It would require that the USTR take action against these countries. Finally, the bill would give the USTR authority to take action against any government that it deems to not fully cooperate with the United States in its effort to investigate noncompetitive practice. ~~Senator Murray to Introduce Map Funding Bill~~Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) plans to offer a bill to strengthen both the Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) programs. The bill would (1) authorize MAP spending up to $200 million, while making the current $90 million level a minimum rather than a maximum amount; (2) establish FMD (Cooperator Program ) at a minimum level of $35 million annually; and (3) provide authority under certain conditions to allow for the transfer of a percentage of unused funds under the Export Enhancement Program (EEP) to be made available for both MAP and FMD. Further information and bill number will be provided once Senator Murray introduces the bill. (Contact: Patrick Atagi) SIGN-UP BEGINS FOR LIVESTOCK ASSISTANCE USDA Secretary Dan Glickman this week announced that eligible farmers and ranchers can sign-up to receive payments to compensate for losses that occurred in 1999 because natural disasters either destroyed livestock or grazing resources for their livestock or both. The assistance will be made under USDA's Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Livestock Assistance Program (LAP). The $200 million in funding was provided in the recently approved FY2000 agriculture appropriations bill. The sign-up for LIP began this week and is available to producers who lost livestock due to a disaster. The sign-up for LAP will vary by county, and farmers and ranchers will be notified of the sign-up period by USDA's Service Center or Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office. Eligibility for LAP benefits is based on whether a producer suffered a loss of grazing because of a natural disaster. Both programs are scheduled to end early next year. Additional information can be obtained from local FSA offices. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) TRADE BRIEFS ~~Chairman Bill Archer Speaks out on Trade~~House Ways and Means Chairman Bill Archer (R-Texas) remarked at a press briefing that U.S. proponents who want to focus on integrating labor and environmental issues into the World Trade Organization (WTO) risk diverting attention from the market opening goals of the WTO. Archer further stated that if the U.S. continues to push the labor and environmental card in trade discussions, other countries could use the issue as a bargaining point to gain concessions from the U.S. The chairman noted that the International Labor Organization (ILO) is the forum for deciding world labor issues and not the World Trade Organization. ~~Success of World Trade Organization Ministerial in Question~~With trade talks less than two weeks away, the European Union (EU) and the U.S. have yet to reach agreement on an agenda for Seattle and beyond. The EU wants to open up the discussions to cover a wide array of issues while the U.S. would like to keep the negotiations narrowed and focused. World Trade Organization Director-General Mike Moore said this week that progress on agreeing to an agenda for the new global trade round remained bleak and that chances for failure are increasing. In the latest assessment on the preparations for the WTO's upcoming ministerial meeting in Seattle, Moore said that major differences remain on the framework for the mandated agriculture talks and that members were still unable to agree on what new issues should be negotiated during the new round or how to address developing country demands for a focus on their difficulties in implement existing WTO agreements. Ministers from the WTO's 135 member countries will meet in Seattle Nov. 30 to Dec.3 with the main objective of a launch of a new round of global trade talks. However, after weeks of intense negotiations, trade diplomats in Geneva have been unable to significantly narrow their differences on a draft declaration which would determine the agenda for those talks. ~~Commerce Department Finds China Dumping Apple Juice~~The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) announced its preliminary findings that China is dumping apple juice concentrate in the U.S. at a rate as high as 55 percent. DOC will now move to its final determination and if the determination is found in the affirmative, the International Trade Commission (ITC) will rule on damages. Dumping duties will only be finalized in the event of a final ITC affirmative injury determination. (Contact: Patrick Atagi) ENVIRONMENT BRIEFS ~~Clinton Orders Environmental Review of Trade Pacts~~President Clinton this week issued an Executive Order requiring environmental reviews of trade agreements and a declaration of environmental trade policy. For the first time, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) will have to formally provide written procedures for consideration of environmental issues in the development of U.S. positions in trade negotiations. The environmental reviews will be subject to public comment and review. The White House said the policy declaration environmental trade policy is intended to promote cooperation between World Trade Organization (WTO) and international environmental organizations, such as the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). According to the administration, the policy declaration supports the right of member nations to decide whether other countries' environmental regulations are equivalent to their own to prevent countries with weak environmental laws from undercutting products from nations with strong environmental protections. Vice President Al Gore said in a statement that the order would help expand trade, while protecting the national and global environment. ~~W. Michael Mccabe Named Deputy Administrator at EPA~~The president has nominated W. Michael McCabe as deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). McCabe serves as the regional administrator of EPA's Middle Atlantic Region. The Deputy Administrator for the EPA works with the administrator to provide agency leadership and is the acting administrator in the administrator's absence. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) FOOD SAFETY BRIEFS ~~Biotech Labeling Bill Introduced~~Reps. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Jack Metcalf (R-Wash.) have introduced legislation (H.R.3377) to require mandatory labeling of food containing or derived from genetically engineered material. Kucinich said consumers need to know if the food they purchase and consume contains any genetically engineered materials because of concerns over health and safety risks, environmental protection, and religiously- and ethically-based dietary restrictions. The measure has twenty cosponsors to date. Meanwhile, Rep. David Bonior (D-Mich.) and a bipartisan group of more than 47 lawmakers have sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking the agency to require labeling of biotech foods. ~~FDA Launches Biotech Food Meetings~~The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) kicked off a series of public meetings this week to discuss oversight of bioengineered foods. The purpose of these forums is for the agency to share its current approach to safety evaluation and labeling of food products derived from bioengineered plant varieties and to solicit views on whether FDA's policies and regulations should be modified. Environmental and consumer groups have urged their members to "stack" the sessions with warnings about the danger of biotech foods. ~~FSIS Proposes Inspection Fee Hikes~~USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to increase the fees it charges meat and poultry establishments, importers, and exporters for providing a number of services. The proposed fee increases would cover voluntary inspection services, overtime, certification, and laboratory services. FSIS says the fee hike is needed to cover the increased costs of mandated pay raises and other inspection services. ~~Food Suppliers Prepare for Y2K~~USDA Secretary Dan Glickman, John Koskinen, chairman of President Clinton's Council on Y2K Conversion, and major food production and distribution industry associations this week announced they believe the US food supply system is in good shape for the Year 2000 transition. The National Food Supply Working Group has been assessing all components of the system to continue producing and moving food safely and efficiently from farm to grocery store. The group has determined the risk of serious or widespread disruptions is slight and that systems tracking food safety inspection are Y2K ready. ~~FDA Proposes New Nutrition Labeling Rules~~The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed to amend its regulations on nutrition labeling to require that the amount of trans fatty acids in foods be included in the "Nutrition Facts" panel. The proposal includes a new nutrient content claim defining "trans fat free" and a limit on trans fatty acids wherever that are limits on saturated fat in health claims. According to FDA, the proposal is based on recent studies that indicate that consumption of trans fatty acids contributes to increased cholesterol levels, which increase the risk of coronary heart disease. It also responds to a petition submitted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Comments on the proposed rule can be made for the next ninety days, and copies are available on the internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) PESTICIDE BRIEFS ~~EPA Releases FQPA Science Policy~~The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a revised science policy paper for implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). The document, titled "Estimating the Drinking Water Component of a Dietary Exposure Assessment," will be used to estimate pesticide concentrations in drinking water as part of the agency's risk assessments of dietary exposures to pesticides. According to EPA, a number of significant changes were made in response to preliminary public comments regarding the methods used to screen pesticides that may be present in drinking water. ~~FQPA Risk Assessment Guidance Issued~~EPA has issued a draft science policy document that provides guidelines for the agency in performing aggregate pesticide risk assessments under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA). Under the new guidelines, EPA would assess aggregate non-occupational human exposure and risk from a single chemical by all relevant pathways (i.e., from food, drinking water, and residential scenarios). Currently, EPA combines a single point estimate to assess aggregate exposure. According to the agency, the proposed changes will lead to better and more realistic assessments of actual exposure and risk. Comments on the draft policy are due by January 10, 2000. Copies of the document, titled "Guidance for Performing Aggregate Exposure and Risk Assessments," are available from EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides. ~~Risk Assessment Planned for Two Pesticides~~EPA will hold a technical briefing and release revised risk assessments for the organophosphate (OP) pesticides oxydemeton-methyl (ODM) and methidathion on December 8th. The briefing will describe the data and methodology involved in the assessment, and will start a sixty-day public comment period on risk management ideas for the two pesticides. ODM and methidathion are used on a variety of fruit, vegetable, nut, citrus, and other crops grown in California. A brief summary of the risk assessments and addition information is available from EPA's website at http://ww.epa.gov/pesticides/op/status. ~~New Threshold Policy for Pesticide Tolerances~~EPA is adopting a new "threshold of regulation" policy for deciding whether a pesticide with a food use pattern needs a tolerance. Under the new policy, there would be no need for a tolerance or tolerance exemption if: (a) using an appropriate analytical method to measure residues, no residues are detected in the commodity; and (b) using reasonably protective measures, the estimated potential risk of possible residues in food is not of concern. According to EPA, the policy will allow the agency to approve registration of new pesticide uses or permit the continuation of existing registrations of pesticide uses that pose "essentially zero" risk. Meanwhile, some in the pesticide industry have criticized the policy, saying EPA should have adopted a more efficient approach to deal with "de minimis" exposures to chemicals. ~~Report Warns of Phosphide Fumigant Risks~~A recent alert from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that workers in agriculture and exterminating occupations may be poisoned, injured, or killed by phosphine gas while working with or near phosphide fumigants. The warning makes numerous recommendations for employees and employers for preventing phosphine poisoning and explosions during fumigation. NIOSH also lists case studies of high exposure phosphine injuries and illnesses. Copies of the report are available on the internet at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage. ~~Pesticide Container Rule Reopened~~EPA has reopened the public comment period and issued a supplemental proposal to its 1994 Proposed Standards for Pesticide Containers and Containment. The proposed rule would impose container design and residue removal requirements for refillable and nonrefillable pesticide containers and standards for pesticide containment structures. EPA is seeking comments on four issues only: (1) exempting certain low risk pesticides from the requirements; (2) exempting certain antimicrobial pesticides; (3) adopting Department of Transportation standards for hazardous materials packaging; and (4) defining "small business" in terms of pesticide formulators, dealers, and commercial applicators. Comments are due by December 30, 1999. Additional information is available from EPA's website at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides. ~~EPA Reorganizes Pesticide Office~~EPA has reorganized its Office of Prevention, Pesticides, and Toxic Substances (OPPTS) by establishing a third division, the Office of Science Coordination and Policy (OSCP). The other two offices are the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) and the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT). The new science office includes two divisions: the Exposure Assessment Coordination and Policy Division, and the Hazard Assessment Coordination and Policy Division. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) USDA NEWS ~~USDA Launches Meetings on Clinton Forest Plan~~USDA's Forest Service (FS) has announced a series of national and local meetings to solicit public comment on President Clinton's recent initiative to protect more than 50 million acres of national forests. Beginning this week, the FS will hold ten national meetings across the country. In addition, every local national forest with a roadless area will have its own public meeting. Clinton's proposal has generated controversy in Congress and many lawmakers have called it an unprecedented "land grab." The FS issued an official Notice of Intent to protect roadless areas in national forests last month and is seeking comments until December 20, 1999. A draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and proposed rule is expected to be released next spring. ~~Funding Extended for Pseudorabies Program~~USDA is allocating another $40 million to extend its program to pay hog producers for the voluntary destruction of swine herds infected with pseudorabies. Originally, USDA allocated $80 million for the indemnity program, which was scheduled to end last summer. The program will continue until funds are depleted or until further notice. ~~Samples Program to Boost Export~~To develop and expand markets for U.S. agricultural products, USDA announced a pilot program that will enable exporters to get samples of their products to foreign buyers. The $2.5 million Quality Samples Program (QSP) will focus on products that are not branded, that benefit whole industries, and are unprocessed or semi-processed foods--like grains and flour--and other agricultural products that are not ready-to-eat. QSP participants must buy the commodity samples, export them, and provide technical assistance on their use to importers. When the project is finished, USDA will reimburse the costs of procuring and exporting the samples. QSP proposals should be submitted to Kent Sisson, Director, Marketing Operations Staff, FAS, Room 4932-S, Stop 1042, USDA, 1400 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington, D.C. 20250-1042, no later than December 15, 1999. Copies of the Federal Register announcement, which contains proposal suggestions, the proposal review process, and a sample application, are also available at the address, by e-mail at mosadmin@fas.usda.gov, or by calling 202-720-4327. ~~New Fertilizer Model Developed~~USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has developed a new computer model that could save farmers millions of dollars in the form of increased crop yields, fewer soil tests, and less use of nitrogen fertilizer. The Nitrogen Fertilizer Decision Aid eliminates uncertainties that lead many farmers to over apply nitrogen as so-called "insurance fertilizer." The new model uses soil and weather information to predict how much nitrogen will be produced by soil microbes after spring planting. Utilizing this information, the model predicts nitrate-nitrogen content for up to 90 days after planting. If the rate of natural nitrogen production does not meet crop needs, farmers can then use nitrogen fertilizer to make up the difference. The model can be downloaded from the ARS website at http://www.infolink.morris.mn.us/~lwink/products/products.htm. ~~USDA Offers Thanksgiving Food Safety Advice~~USDA Secretary Dan Glickman and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) have issued their annual holiday tips on food safety. Information on safe handling, cooking, and storing foods is available from USDA's toll-free Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-800-535-4555. Additional food safety information can be found on the FSIS website at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/. ~~New Website for Farming Research~~The National Agricultural Library has launched a new website to help researchers easily access a special collection of documents and other materials covering more than 200 years of U.S. farming history. The USDA History Collection includes letters, reports, and other papers of department officials and agricultural historians. The new website includes a searchable guide to the collection and navigation map. The address is http://www.nal.usda.gov/speccoll/collect/history/idex.htm. ~~ERS Issues Report Titled "Cropland Use and Urbanization." The report notes that cropland continues to be converted to developed uses; but, that farmland conversion has remained stable over the past decades and does not pose a threat to the nation's ability to produce food and fiber. Copies of the report can be obtained from the ERS website at http://www.econ.ag.gov/whatsnew/issues/landuse/index.htm. ~~CSREES Plans New Grant Program~~USDA's Cooperative Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) is creating a new competitive grants program and is soliciting public comments on priorities to be address by the new program. A public hearing has been scheduled for December 2, 1999, to consider several topics including water quality, food safety, and pest management. Anyone wishing to present comments should contact Ms. Terri Joya by telephone at 202-401-1761, by fax at 202-401-1782, or by email at tjoya@reeusda.gov. ~~GIPSA Undertakes Livestock Competition Research~~USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) recently entered into five cooperative agreements with university researchers to conduct research on competition issues in livestock and poultry. The projects will use new analytical methods or address issues that have potential to strengthen future enforcement actions and target key problem areas. USDA officials said the studies would expand their understanding of competitive forces in the market, and help the agency make better decisions in developing new regulations. ~~USDA Assistant Secretary Named~~USDA Secretary Dan Glickman this week appointed Paul W. Fiddick as assistant secretary for administration. Fiddick will oversee the policy and coordination of USDA's administrative activities including human resources, ethics, procurement, small and disadvantaged business utilization, property management, headquarters operations, judicial and administrative law reviews, contract appeals, and outreach to populations under-served by USDA programs. ~~Blueberry Quarantine Lifted~~USDA announced that Argentina has lifted a two-year quarantine on U.S. blueberry plants and will resume importation of plants effective immediately. The Argentine government had been worried about the introduction of a fungus not previously reported in that country. The quarantine was lifted after testing confirmed that Argentina already had this fungus. According to USDA, reinstatement of import permits for blueberry plants could mean more than $200,000 annually for producers in Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, and Oregon. (Contact: Charlie Ingram or Patrick Atagi) STATE NEWS
PRODUCERS WANT TALK TURNED INTO ACTION The federal government proposed an endangered species listing November 17 of the Atlantic salmon in eight Maine rivers. The proposal would give federal agencies more authority to regulate fish farming, agricultural irrigation, and other activities regarded as threats to the fish and their river habitats. |