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A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture HOOKER NOMINATED AS NEW YORK AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER NASDA HIGHLIGHTS FARM BILL RECOMMENDATIONS--ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS FOR U.S. PRODUCTS SENATORS INTRODUCE PERMANENT AG DISASTER ASSISTANCE BILL NEW MEMBERS NAMED TO SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE FSIS ADMINISTRATOR TO LEAVE AGENCY State News--DELAWARE'S NEW STATE VETERINARIAN NAMED State News--DEPARTMENT SELECTS PROGRAM MANAGER FOR OFFICE OF VETERINARY SERVICES _________________________________________________________Past Issues What's New on the NASDA Website
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All policy amendments to be considered at the Midyear Meeting, Feb. 7 to 12, are due in the NASDA office by January 25, 2007. Electronic copies please! Midyear early-bird registration ends on January 20. Find additional information and register online at http://www.nasda.org/ under the "Calendar" section. HOOKER NOMINATED AS NEW YORK AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER Governor Eliot Spitzer and Lieutenant Governor David Paterson last week announced Patrick M. Hooker is being nominated to serve as commissioner of agriculture and markets. Hooker currently serves as the director of the public policy at the New York Farm Bureau, a position which he has held since 1999. Previously, Hooker was the deputy director of governmental relations at the New York Farm Bureau from 1990 to 1999. From 1987 to 1990, he served as director of the New York State Senate Agriculture Committee. He was also a rural affairs advisor to the New York State Assembly in the Office of the Minority Leader from 1985 to 1987. Hooker received his B.S. from Cornell University and his A.A.S. from the State University of New York at Morrisville. He and his wife, Karen, own a 360-acre farm in Richfield Springs, where he grows hay, boards horses and produces maple syrup. (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff) NASDA HIGHLIGHTS FARM BILL RECOMMENDATIONS--ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS FOR U.S. PRODUCTS This week, NASDA highlights its farm bill recommendations on increasing access to international markets for U.S. products. To ensure a strong, open, and competitive marketplace, policy makers must make ongoing adjustments at the international and domestic levels. Key objectives at the international level include finding ways to enhance U.S. producers' access to foreign markets while at the same time ensuring a level playing field in which producers and agribusinesses can compete freely under well-defined rules with a clear scientific basis. Market access and strong enforcement of existing trade agreements as well as future free trade agreements are equally important. Increased international trade in agricultural products requires increased commitment to, and resources for, the regulatory systems that protect U.S. public, animal and plant life and health. At the same time, the U.S. agriculture industry must continue to uphold a high standard of humanitarian and basic human rights for all workers in all nations. Increased international trade, while presenting additional economic opportunity, also poses potentially increased risks from exotic diseases and pests. U.S. trade policy must reflect a balance between the commitment to science-based international rules, and the continuing obligation to protect the U.S. public and the U.S. agricultural producing sector. NASDA supports trade agreements that not only facilitate trade but also require that trade be fair to all sectors. Key recommended actions include: * When the current authority expires in 2007, Congress should reauthorize trade promotion authority to allow flexibility for U.S. negotiators. * In the farm bill, Market Access Program (MAP) should be authorized for $325 million and the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program should be authorized for $50 million. The federal government and the Congress should support and fully fund these critical programs that promote an equitable international market place for agricultural products. This will ensure proper administration of the program and secure sufficient staff and resources to monitor and oversee the programs. * Congress should maintain and enhance the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) programs aimed at meeting the objective of expanding trade for agricultural products. Any budget reductions for FAS operations, specifically Agricultural Trade Offices, will impede market access by U.S. agriculture. * The U.S. government must participate in all appropriate international, multilateral, and bilateral forums to ensure that all international standards, guidelines or recommendations for commodities and food developed through the use of biotechnology are based on sound science and prudent risk analysis and result in fair trade practices that allow for the unrestricted shipment of such commodities and products in international markets. NASDA released its 2007 farm bill recommendations in November 2006. The state agriculture officials finalized the document at NASDA's annual meeting in September. NASDA's recommendations offer broad, opportunity-based agricultural policy focusing on expanding and improving the safety net for farmers and ranchers. NASDA plans to present highlights each week in NASDA News in preparation for NASDA's Midyear Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., February 8 to 12, 2007, and as Congress gears up its work on the 2007 farm bill. NASDA's recommendations and a summary of highlights are posted on the NASDA website under "Hot Issues." (Contact: Jennifer Yezak) NASDA WELCOMES NEW INTERNS This week NASDA opens its door to two new interns. Blake Patton, of San Antonio, Texas, and Casey Wong-Buehler, of Pearland, Texas, come to NASDA from Texas A&M University's Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy (ANRP) internship program. Casey is a junior animal science major working on a business minor. She hopes to continue her education after graduation and pursue her masters' degree and/or continue to work in the D.C. area. Casey is using her internship to gain knowledge and experience in agriculture policy. Blake is currently a junior pursuing a agricultural economics major with an emphasis in policy and economic analysis. Blake is also working on his Certificate in International Trade and Agriculture. Upon graduation, he plans to either attend graduate school or work in Washington, D.C., concentrating on agricultural and natural resources related policy. Blake hopes to gain knowledge on how policy is formulated and implemented. Texas A&M University is in its 16th year of sending students to Washington, D.C., through their internship programs. NASDA is proud to be a part of this program to give students the opportunity to live and learn in the nation's capital. (Contacts: Blake Patton and Casey Wong-Buehler) SENATORS INTRODUCE PERMANENT AG DISASTER ASSISTANCE BILL A group of senators have introduced legislation (S. 195) that would authorize a permanent agriculture disaster program for the 2007 crop year and future crop years. The bill supporters said they will continue to pursue any opportunity to deliver agricultural disaster assistance to farmers and ranchers still in recovery from 2006 and previous years. The "Permanent Emergency Agricultural Assistance Act" provides that producers who lost more than 35% of their crop due to weather conditions are eligible for a payment of 65% of the crop price. For quality losses, producers with losses of at least 35% of their crop's value are eligible for a payment of 65% of the crop's value times 65% of production. To receive assistance, producers must have purchased crop insurance or, in the case of a noninsurable commodity, must be participating in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. The crop insurance requirement may be waived for producers who agree to purchase crop insurance at a minimum level of 60% for the next two years or, in for noninsurable commodities, participate in the NAP for the next two years. Under the legislation, ranchers in designated disaster counties and contiguous counties are eligible for assistance for grazing losses sustained due to natural disasters. The bill includes a Livestock Indemnity Program. Ranchers who sustained cattle losses due to hurricanes, floods, wildfires, extreme heat or other weather conditions as determined by the Secretary, are eligible for assistance to compensate them for lost livestock. Ranchers may participate in either the Livestock Assistance Program or the Livestock Indemnity Program, but not both. (Contact: Jennifer Yezak) NEW MEMBERS NAMED TO SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE Both Democrats and Republicans have named new members to the Senate Agriculture Committee as the panel continues to organize for the 110th Congress. Democrats selected three new senators to the committee: Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Robert Casey, Jr. (Pa.), and Amy Klobuchar (Minn.). Sen. Tom Harkin (Iowa) returns as the committee chairman and Democratic senators who will continue to serve on the committee are: Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Kent Conrad (N.D.), Max Baucus (Mont.), Blanche Lincoln (Ark.), Debbie Stabenow (Mich.), Ben Nelson (Neb.), and Ken Salazar (Colo.). On the Republican side, two senators were selected for new membership: Lindsey Graham (S.C.), and John Thune (S.D.). Returning to the committee are Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (Ga.), Richard Lugar (Ind.), Thad Cochran (Miss.), Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), Norm Coleman (Minn.), Mike Crapo (Idaho), and Chuck Grassley (Iowa). (Contact: Charlie Ingram) FSIS ADMINISTRATOR TO LEAVE AGENCY USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond recently announced that Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Administrator Dr. Barbara Masters will leave the agency effective January 19. Masters was named administrator in August 2005 and served as the acting administrator from March 2004. Raymond also announced the selection of David P. Goldman, M.D., MPH, to serve as acting FSIS administrator until a permanent administrator is announced. A captain in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, Goldman has been with FSIS since 2002, previously serving as assistant administrator of the Office of Public Health Science, and before that as deputy director and then director of FSIS' Human Health Sciences Division. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) STATE NEWS DELAWARE'S NEW STATE VETERINARIAN NAMED Sara Busch, D.V.M., of Manor College, Jenkintown, Penn., has accepted the position as state veterinarian with the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA). She is replacing Dr. H. Wesley Towers who retired in 2005 and Dr. Robert Ricker who has been acting State Veterinarian in the interim. As state veterinarian, Busch will be the administrator of the DDA Poultry and Animal Health Section that has the responsibility to protect the health of domestic animal and avian species from the introduction and spread of infectious and contagious disease, including those transmissible to humans. She joined the department on December 29, 2006. Busch received her bachelor of science and doctor of veterinary medicine degrees from Michigan State University. She has had experience as a private practitioner in several states including Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Michigan. For the last five years she has been a professor of Veterinary Technology at Manor College where she taught courses in animal surgery, anesthesia, and veterinary emergency procedures. She has authored a textbook, Small Animal Surgical Nursing: Skills and Concepts, and several journal articles related to veterinary medicine. Busch enjoys reading, yoga, whole foods cooking, walking her dog, Abby, and running. (Contact: Anne Fitzgerald, 302/698-4520) DEPARTMENT SELECTS PROGRAM MANAGER FOR OFFICE OF VETERINARY SERVICES The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has selected Dr. Colleen C. Calderwood as a program manager within the Division of Animal and Food Industry Services (AFIS). In her new position, Calderwood manages the Office of Veterinary Services (OVS), with locations in Richmond, Wytheville, Lynchburg, and Harrisonburg. The office is responsible for administering veterinary medical regulatory programs, providing producers and veterinarians with information about livestock diseases, enforcing regulations and quarantines to control the spread of disease, coordinating disease eradication programs, assisting local officials with investigations of alleged cruelty to animals, and advising them on the requirement for maintaining local government animal pounds and shelters. Calderwood also directs the state livestock and poultry disease control and eradication programs to promote the health and welfare of Virginia livestock and poultry, in support of Virginia's animal agriculture industries and Virginia's public health programs. She assists in the development and direction of the OVS program to promote and monitor the proper care and treatment of livestock, poultry and companion animals in the Commonwealth and has responsibility for legislative review and monitoring. Born in Buffalo, New York, Calderwood has a B.A. degree in biology from Wells College, a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, and a horticulture degree from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Virginia. Previous work experience includes serving as an Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Hanover County, Virginia and a Program Associate for Hanover County Extension. She also held Associate Veterinarian positions with animal hospitals in Centreville, Leesburg and Fairfax, Virginia. Calderwood is a member of the American and Virginia Veterinary Medical Associations and volunteers with numerous organizations and associations. "Dr. Calderwood brings a high level of skill, talent, knowledge and leadership to this position that will serve Virginia and animal production agriculture very well," said Dr. Richard Wilkes, D.V.M., AFIS Director. "I am very pleased that she has joined us. "The Division of Animal and Food Industry Services is comprised of four offices: Laboratory Services, Veterinary Services, Meat and Poultry Services, and Dairy and Foods. It oversees such diverse functions as diagnosing and preventing animal diseases; inspecting grocery stores, Grade A dairies, and meat processing plants; enforcing the Comprehensive Animal Laws; and eradicating disease outbreaks in animals. (Contact: Elaine Lidholm, 804/786-7686) |