|
A publication of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO HOLD CONFERENCE CALL
NASDA WELCOMES NEW SUMMER INTERN
PARTY SWITCH GIVES DEMS CONTROL OF SENATE
HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE OPENS FARM BILL HEARINGS
AG APPROPRIATORS OUTLINE SCHEDULE
CONSERVATION BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS
SENATE APPROVES TAX PACKAGE WITH ESTATE TAX REPEAL
SENATE PANELS APPROVE USDA, EPA & INTERIOR NOMINEES
FARM INCOME FORECAST DUE THIS WEEK
State News--NEW PROGRAM GIVES MINNESOTA CONSUMERS A SCOOP ON THEIR FOOD
State News--GA. AGRICULTURAL EXPORT PROGRAM WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD
State News--LEARN ABOUT HOME AND GARDEN PESTS ONLINE
Past Issues
What's New on the NASDA Website
2002 Farm Policy Initiative Working Documents
North Carolina Environmental Laws Guide available
NASDA's 2002 Farm Policy Briefing Book
NASDA's 2002 Farm Policy Initiative Initial Draft Working Document
|
NASDA SENDS PESTICIDE LETTERS TO CONGRESS NASDA recently sent two letters to the House and Senate regarding pesticide management issues and harmonization of Canadian pesticides. The first letter urges members of Congress to support the Pesticide Harmonization Act (H.R. 1084 and S. 532), which would grant states the authority to issue state registrations for certain Canadian pesticides. The legislation would only apply to pesticides whose composition is identical or substantially similar to a U.S. domestically-registered pesticide. NASDA emphasized that the bills would provide farmers with a level playing field and equal access to crop protection products currently available to their counterparts in Canada. The second letter asks the Senate to support an amendment that would allow states the flexibility to craft their own pest management programs. The Senate has been debating reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Senator Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) has filed an amendment that would greatly limit the ability of schools and pest management professionals to control and manage pests in schools. Many agricultural organizations, including the American Crop Protection Association and the National Pest Management Association, have expressed concern about the impact the Torricelli amendment could have on state pesticide management programs. An alternative amendment is being proposed by Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) which has gained support of farm groups. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE TO HOLD CONFERENCE CALL NASDA's Natural Resource and Environment Committee is holding a conference call meeting this Friday, May 25th, at 11:00 a.m. (EDT) to wrap up its work on recommendations for an agricultural "green payment" program as part of NASDA's 2002 Farm Policy Initiative. Details about the conference call were sent to NASDA members earlier this week. The committee, chaired by Frank DuBois, director/secretary of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, has produced a detailed proposal that would establish a new "block grant" type program designed to compensate producers for implementing various conservation practices that enhance environmental goals. The latest version of the Committee's working document is posted on NASDA's website in the "Members' Only" section. The Friday conference call will provide NASDA members with one last chance for review and comment on the final document and make any necessary improvements before it is distributed to Congress, the administration, and other outside groups. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) NASDA WELCOMES NEW SUMMER INTERN NASDA is welcoming a new intern, Henry Vega, to the NASDA office this summer. Henry is a student at Clemson University, S.C., where he is pursuing a Master's degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics. He follows Guillermina Guzman, "Guille," our international intern from Mexico City, who is back home after participating in a fifteen-week internship at NASDA. Henry is originally from Quito, Ecuador, a city in the Andeans Mountains in South America, where he got a B.S. degree in Farming Sciences at the Army Polytechnic School. After working two years for the fresh-cut-flower industry in his country, he started his graduate studies last fall sponsored by the Fulbright Program. Henry has almost completed his course-work requirements and will be earning academic credit for his internship with NASDA. He is currently looking for a research topic for his thesis and expects to finish his program before August 2002. His areas of interest include international trade and marketing of agricultural products. NASDA's new intern will be involved in different activities and projects, including attending congressional hearings, participating in coalition meetings, and conducting research on agricultural issues and projects. Henry started to work right away this week by covering and reporting on the confined animal feeding operations (CAFO) hearings in the House. We welcome Henry as an important part of the NASDA team and invite all NASDA members to contact him if they need assistance. His e-mail address is henry@nasda-hq.org. (Contact: Henry Vega) PARTY SWITCH GIVES DEMS CONTROL OF SENATE Vermont Republican Senator Jim Jeffords announced on May 24th that he is leaving the GOP to become an Independent and will vote with Democrats on organizational matters. The switch tips the balance of power in the evenly divided Senate and gives Democrats control of the chamber for the first time since 1994. Washington had been bracing for Jeffords' decision throughout the week as news and speculation mounted. The new Senate make-up will be 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans, and one Independent. The midyear shake up will have major impacts on President Bush's agenda, administration nominations, and the flow of legislation. Jeffords said his switch would not become effective until the final tax bill is sent to the president's desk for signature. Republicans will relinquish the majority when Congress sends a final version of its tax-cutting legislation to the president, or on June 5, whichever is later, Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) said. At that time, Democratic Leader Tom Daschle (S.D.) will replace Republican Trent Lott (Miss.) as majority leader. Democratic chairmen and majorities will replace the current power-sharing arrangement. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) will take over the chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee from Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.). As Congress begins the appropriations process, there may be an important change in the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl is expected to take over the chairmanship from Sen. Thad Cochran (Miss.). Politicos and officials will obviously spend the coming days assessing, analyzing, and pontificating. Stay tuned. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE OPENS FARM BILL HEARINGS The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development, and Research held the first hearing this week to begin work on the conservation title for the 2002 Farm Bill. Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) intends to hold additional hearings in early June and begin drafting conservation legislation before the July 4th recess. During the session, Chairman Lucas pointed out that commodity organizations have testified that $6 to $12 billion annually may be needed to provide an adequate safety net for producers. He also noted that conservation groups have indicated that $3 to $8 billion is needed annually for conservation programs. "Before we decide that money will solve our conservation concerns," Lucas said, "we must diligently examine what we are doing now." The subcommittee will review (1) how current USDA conservation programs are reaching their intended goals; (2) if the programs are being administered effectively and efficiently; and (3) how current regulations and conservation priorities impact producers and the agriculture community. Lucas stated, "our committee members will decide how dollars can best be spent on conservation; whether it is cost-share programs, technical assistance, watershed programs, or rental and easement programs; or a combination of some or all of these." Witnesses who testified at the hearing included USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA), representatives of livestock and commodity organizations, and the American Farm Bureau Federation. Copies of the testimony have been posted on NASDA's website in the "2002 Farm Policy Initiative Briefing Book." (Contact: Charlie Ingram or Tom Sommer) AG APPROPRIATORS OUTLINE SCHEDULE Congressional leaders and budget writers have outlined an ambitious schedule for acting on the FY2002 appropriations' bills. The agriculture spending bill will be one of the first measures to be considered. In the House, Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Henry Bonilla (R-Texas) plans to markup spending legislation the first week of June when Congress returns from the Memorial Day recess. A target date of June 20th has been set for House floor action. The Senate Appropriations schedule is now uncertain. Earlier, Subcommittee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) planned to begin work on June 21st. Lawmakers in both panels will be facing a number of political and budgetary pressures. The president's FY2002 budget approved by Congress provides only about a four percent spending increase for agriculture over the FY2001 total. With the farm economy still suffering and concerns about foot-and-mouth disease, many farm state lawmakers are expected to push for more funding. In addition, congressional staff on the House Agriculture Committee say that Chairman Larry Combest (R-Texas) plans to complete legislation before the August recess that would allocate $5.5 billion in emergency assistance to farmers for the current fiscal year. The additional FY2001 funding was provided under the recently approved budget resolution. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) CONSERVATION BILL INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS Senators Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) have introduced legislation that would compensate producers who implement certain conservation practices. A companion bill is being offered in the House by Reps. John Thune (R-S.D.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa) and other cosponsors. Harkin introduced similar legislation last year and has sought input from NASDA and other farm organizations. NASDA's Natural Resource and Environment Committee closely reviewed the provisions as the committee developed their agricultural stewardship "green payment" proposal as part of NASDA's 2002 Farm Policy Initiative. Under the Conservation Security Act (S. 932), farmers and ranchers would receive payments for voluntarily maintain or adopt various conservation practices that enhance the environment, natural resources, and wildlife habitat. The bill establishes three tiers of incentives with payments ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 per farm. Harkin has also said that he will push to incorporate his legislation in the Senate's 2002 Farm Bill. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) SENATE APPROVES TAX PACKAGE WITH ESTATE TAX REPEAL The Senate has approved President Bush's sweeping $1.3 trillion, 11-year tax-cut plan after a lengthy debate and wading through a long list of amendments this week. The vote was 68 to 32 and the measure now goes to a joint House-Senate Conference Committee for final negotiations. The only major provision in the tax-cut package that directly affects agriculture is the repeal of the estate tax. However, farm state legislators plan to push for comprehensive farm tax legislation later this year. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and ranking emocrat Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) have introduced a package of bills to address agricultural tax issues. The bills include S. 312, the "Tax Empowerment and Relief for Farmers and Fishermen Act," S. 313, the "Farm, Fishing, and Ranch Risk Management Act," and S. 314 which would provide declaratory judgement relief for tax code Section 521 cooperatives. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) SENATE PANELS APPROVE USDA, EPA & INTERIOR NOMINEES The Senate Agriculture Committee this week approved the nominations of five presidential appointments for USDA. Currently, USDA Secretary Ann Veneman is the only Senate-confirmed appointee at the department. The nominations approved are: Eric Bost, under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services; William Hawks, under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs; J.B. Penn, under secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service; Lou Gallegos, assistant secretary for Administration; and Mary Waters, assistant secretary for congressional relations. All were approved without opposition, and the full Senate may vote on the nominations before Congress adjourns for the Memorial Day recess. President Bush earlier announced his intention to nominate Tom Dorr, an Iowa farmer, to the under secretary for rural development; and James Moseley, an Indiana farmer, to be deputy secretary. Meanwhile, other committees made progress this week in considering nominations for other key Administration posts. The Senate Government Affairs Committee approved the nomination of Dr. John Graham as administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) under the White House Office of Management and Budget's (OMB). The position is a critical post that oversees regulations dealing with health, safety and the environment. Graham, who was previously director of the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, has been a strong advocate for sound science and cost-benefit analysis in the regulatory process. Also this week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved the nomination of J. Stephen Griles to be the deputy secretary of the Interior Department. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved several nominees for important environmental positions, but the nominees have run into a roadblock for full Senate consideration. The Committee approved the nominations of Linda Fisher to be deputy administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Stephen Johnson to be assistant administrator for toxic substances, and James Connaughton to be a member of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). However, Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced that he plans to place a hold on the nominations of Johnson and Connaughton. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) ON THE HILL ~~White House Unveils New Energy Policy~~President George W. Bush last week announced the administration's new energy policy that seeks to boost energy production and supplies while promoting renewable energy and conservation. The energy plan contains more than 100 recommendations and has generated the most intense debate over the nation's energy policies in more than a decade. The plan calls for removing barriers to energy development and building more natural gas pipelines, electricity transmission lines, power plants, oil refineries. In addition, the Administration recommends $6.3 billion over ten years in new tax incentives to promote more fuel efficient vehicles, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Some of the more controversial proposals include opening part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to "environmentally regulated" exploration and production using leading edge technologies. The new energy agenda also directs federal agencies to streamline the hydropower relicencing process with "proper regard" to environmental factors, provide for the safe expansion of nuclear energy, and expedite permits and coordinate federal, state, and local actions necessary for energy-related project approvals on a national basis in an environmentally sound manner. ~~Food Safety Bills Offered~~Legislation to overhaul the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and strengthen food safety monitoring and enforcement has been introduced in the House by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.). The first bill (H.R. 1817) is designed to protect consumers from contaminated food by requiring new monitoring and enforcement of domestic and imported food, including notification and recall provisions. The second measure, the "National Uniform Labeling Act," requires a number of "consumer friendly" protections and warnings to be printed on food labels. ~~Farm Energy Bill Introduced~~Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) has introduced legislation (S. 845) to expand for the first time alternative fuel tax credits to include all agriculture and animal waste sources. Crapo said his Farm Energy Act would spur rural development and provide farm families with outside income. Idaho energy officials say the 1.5 cents per kilowatt hour production tax credit would be of enormous benefit to make production of energy from farm wastes cost-effective for the first time. This process offers farmers an option for cleaning up agricultural waste which can be a source of groundwater contamination and air pollution. ~~Senator Pushes Ethanol~~This week Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) introduced legislation to ban the gasoline additive MTBE, tighten air quality standards in the Clean Air Act's reformulated gasoline program, and maintain and enhance opportunities for renewable ethanol and biodiesel. Harkin, the ranking member on the Senate Agriculture Committee, is a long-time advocate for ethanol and biofuels. Key elements of Harkin's legislation include phasing out and then banning MTBE from fuels and fuel additives within three years, and requiring petroleum companies to use a minimum percentage of renewable fuels in gasoline and diesel fuel. ~~Committee Approves Bill to Strengthen EPA Science~~The House Science Committee has approved legislation (H.R. 64) which is intended to provide greater scientific input into the regulatory process at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The measure which would create a new deputy administrator for science and technology and would set a statutory term for the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Research and Development (ORD). These changes would coordinate the scientific efforts between EPA offices and ensure that sound science guides the agency. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) ROADLESS PLAN SAGA CONTINUES A federal appeals court promised a quick ruling on an appeal questioning whether a U.S. District Court judge properly overturned new federal rules that outlawed road construction on one-third of the nation's forest lands. Two weeks ago, U. S. District Court Judge Edward Lodge in Idaho blocked a ban on road construction in nearly 60 million acres of national forests, saying the administration's rule needed to be amended or it would cause "irreparable harm" to the timber industry and to state and local residents concerned about the need to manage and cull forests to prevent devastating forest fires. In his May 10 ruling, Lodge called the ban a "band-aid approach" to forest conservation. Environmental groups including the Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund and Natural Resources Defense Council, said they were heartened by the court's decision to expedite the appeal. A reversal of the Judge Lodge's ruling would allow the ban to take effect this summer. President Clinton issued the prohibition order this past January that would block almost all logging and road-building on 58.5 million acres of national forest lands. (Contact: Tom Sommer) FARM INCOME FORECAST DUE THIS WEEK USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) latest farm income forecast for 2001 is scheduled to be released on May 25th. The previous forecast, released in December, projected 2001 farm income at $41.3 billion, about $4.1 billion less than last year. The upcoming forecast will incorporate both newer information on prices received and paid by farmers, and information on intended crop production, allowing for a more accurate forecast for the entire year. The Farm Income and Costs report will also include a revised 2000 farm income estimate to reflect newer information about farm receipts. The May 25th report will be available on the ERS website at http://www.ers.usda.gov/. (Contact: Charlie Ingram) STATE NEWS NEW PROGRAM GIVES MINNESOTA CONSUMERS A SCOOP ON THEIR FOOD Ever go into a grocery store and wonder where a particular food item was grown, or what methods were used to produce it? Thanks to a new program, Minnesota consumers can now have the answers to these and other questions regarding the food they eat. The new Minnesota Certified (MinnCERT) program is a response to growing consumer demand for information about how and where food has been produced. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the University of Minnesota will mark the success of the program's pilot project at Kowalski's Market in Woodbury. Kowalski's markets in Woodbury, White Bear Lake, Inver Grove Heights and St. Paul, will be the first retailers to carry food produced under the auspices of the MinnCERT program. Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson says by providing third-party certification of production practices, the MinnCERT program gives consumers assurance that the food has been produced using the best farm-level production practices related to food safety, environmental stewardship and animal welfare. "Consumers worldwide are showing an increasing interest in how their food is raised," says Commissioner Hugoson. "The MinnCERT program gives Minnesota farmers a credible and practical way to respond to that interest." Developed cooperatively by the MDA and the University, MinnCERT is a voluntary program that certifies farmers' production practices and gives them the ability to sell their products with the label "Minnesota Certified." When consumers see this label, they know the product has been produced and handled according to specific quality standards. Soon, consumers will be able to trace the product back to its farm of origin. The MinnCERT program does not dictate specific production guidelines. Instead, producers develop the standards according to customers' demands, and MinnCERT provides an independent review of the standards and certification that those standards have been met. "MinnCERT is a lot like the ISO 9000 certification for businesses," says Dr. Thomas Blaha, professor of veterinary medicine, University of Minnesota. "Through the ISO 9000 process, companies can prove they are meeting specific criteria that customers see as desirable. MinnCERT does the same thing for farmers and consumers." Blaha and his colleague Dr. Jerry Shurson, professor of animal science, created the model for the program and provide technical assistance. David Starner, past president of the Minnesota Pork Producers Association and a farmer from Hoffman, Minn., worked with Shurson, Blaha and the MDA to develop the pilot. He and four other farmers formed a cooperative called Minnesota Certified Pork (MNCEP). Other partners in the pilot project include Kowalski's, Swift and Company, and Supervalu. Several retailers have shown interest in the program, and MNCEP plans to enroll additional producers in the cooperative in order to meet the demand for Minnesota Certified pork products. The long-term goal is to have the MinnCERT program available to any group that develops and implements a set of standard operating and internal auditing procedures. While organizers are encouraged by the success of the pilot project, MinnCERT's future depends on whether the Minnesota Legislature decides to fund the program. The MinnCERT program is good news for farm families as well as consumers. By having independent, third-party certification of their claims, farmers participating in the program can differentiate their product from the rest of the marketplace. This differentiation allows them to receive a premium for their products. "Adding value to food products helps every farmer, but it means the most to smaller scale, independent farmers," Commissioner Hugoson says. "After all, they typically suffer the most from low commodity prices. Through the MinnCERT program, we hope to help farmers avoid the whims of commodity markets and enjoy more stable pricing." The MinnCERT program could eventually give Minnesota farmers a leg up in national and international markets as well. European and Japanese consumers in particular have shown strong interest in knowing the origins of their food. "We are not aware of any other program as comprehensive as Minnesota Certified--one that incorporates quality production practices, product trace ability, and third-party certification," says Shurson. (Contact: Malissa Fritz, MDA Communications Coordinator, 651-284-3707) GA. AGRICULTURAL EXPORT PROGRAM WINS INTERNATIONAL AWARD An agricultural export program of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the University of Georgia was recently honored with an award from the North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE). Export GA/Export AG received NASBITE's 2001 Program Excellence Award. The program is a joint effort of the International Trade Office of the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Business Outreach Services of the University of Georgia and is sponsored by Bell South's GuĦa EXPORT. Export GA/Export AG covers issues including marketing, finance, legal topics, logistics and government services available for international business. "Each company has an intern from the University of Georgia during the eight-month program providing research and support," said Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tommy Irvin. "The nine companies involved in the program which ended in January saw their export sales increase by $785,000. It has been a very successful venture." In its letter announcing the award, NASBITE cited the program for its uniqueness, success in meeting clearly identified objectives, as well as its impact and benefits to program participants. NASBITE promotes and enhances the involvement and competitiveness of small businesses in international trade. Its members include international trade professionals from economic development organizations, colleges and universities, federal and state agencies and the private sector. (Contact: Arty Schronce, 404/656-3689) LEARN ABOUT HOME AND GARDEN PESTS ONLINE State Agriculture Department Expands On-line Pest Directory The Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture has expanded an online pest fact directory created last year featuring everything you need to know about your least-favorite pest. Pests can now be identified by name, picture, and category by visiting http://www.massdfa.org/. The directory offers instant access to information on carpenter ants, mosquitoes, rodents, termites, wasps, yellow jackets, cockroaches, ticks, ladybugs, and lawn pests through links to pest related fact sheets published by universities and government agencies. The fact sheets will help homeowners identify pests commonly found in Massachusetts and will explain how to control pests using preventive and non-chemical methods. The site also includes links to information on pests and pest-related diseases that have been found in neighboring states not in the Bay State, such as the Asian longhorned beetle. Pest fact sheets are also available by mail or fax by calling Trevor Battle at the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture's Pesticide Bureau at 617-626-1775 or e-mail Trevor.Battle@state.ma.us. (Contact: Diane Baedeker Petit, 617-626-1752) |
||||
