May 31

Homeland Security for Agriculture Subject of Funding. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman says USDA is releasing more than $43 million in state grants and cooperative agreements to bolster food and agricultural homeland security. The resources are part of $328 million approved by President Bush and Congress earlier this year to strengthen USDA's homeland security preparedness. 

Sixty in Colorado Now Disaster Areas. Sixty counties in Colorado have been designated drought disaster areas, making Colorado farmers and ranchers immediately eligible for USDA emergency farm loans due to losses caused by drought this year. 

Only Organic Farms Affected. REUTERS reports that German officials believes only organic poultry farms in the country have received feed contaminated with a dangerous herbicide. Agriculture Minister Renate Kuenast, who is also in charge of consumer protection, said on German television station ZDF that there was nothing to indicate that conventional farms had received contaminated feed. Tens of thousands of chickens on German organic farms will be slaughtered after confirmation they had consumed a consignment of feed contaminated with the chemical nitrofen, which can cause cancer in people eating meat and eggs. 

Organic Farming's Good Side Touted. REUTERS reports a Swiss report claims that while organic farming may produce lower yields, it is more efficient and much easier on the environment. More fertile soil and a higher biodiversity, both of which have been shown to increase efficiency, characterize organic farms, the researchers report in today's issue of the journal Science. Paul Mader of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture in Frick, Switzerland and colleagues at the Swiss Federal Research Station for Agroecology and Agriculture in Zurich spent 21 years comparing conventional farming to organic farming, which uses no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. 

APEC Determined on Subsidy Limits. Canadian Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew believes the new U.S. farm law has made APEC countries more determined to limit farm subsidies. "That (the farm law) demonstrates that we really have to get going on an agricultural-rules, international-rules based system," Pettigrew told REUTERS on the sidelines of a meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation countries. "We all agree, including the United States, that we have to commit to the elimination of export subsidies and the substantial reduction of domestic subsidies as well," he said. 

Soybean Fungus Concerns U.S. REUTERS reports that U.S. agriculture officials are concerned about a fungus that attacks soybean plants being discovered in South America. Their aim is to keep any harmful organisms out of the United States. Jim Rogers, a spokesman for USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, told REUTERS his agency is weighing "what actions to take" to keep the soybean rust fungus from arriving in the United States. The fungus has never been detected in the continental United States. There was an isolated outbreak in small garden plots in Hawaii in 1994. 

Zambia's Food Shortage a Disaster.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that Zambia's president has joined other African leaders and declared the regional food shortage a national disaster. Two United Nations food agencies believe 10 million people are on the brink of starvation, not including the 4 million believed threatened in Zambia. In a nationwide address broadcast on television and radio, President Levy Mwanawasa appealed for immediate international aid, saying his country would run out of the country's food staple, corn, by August. In some areas, people already have resorted to eating wild roots, and most children do not get even a single meal a day. 

Corn Representatives Talk Trade, Biotech to Europeans. Representatives of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) will visit the European Union (EU) next week to meet with European producers and agriculture representatives to discuss trade issues such as the exporting of corn gluten and biotechnology issues. They also hope to provide updates on U.S. biotechnology acceptance, as well as the future direction of biotech corn production. Meetings will be held in the Netherlands, France and Spain. 

May 29

New Sorghums for U.S. Being Researched. New sorghums that flourish under day length conditions typical in the Unites States could result from a large-scale genetic screening program now being coordinated by Agricultural Research Service scientists and cooperators. The ARS Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit in Griffin, GA, under the direction of sorghum coordinator Gary Pederson, provided almost 25,000 sorghum accessions to researchers who then evaluated them for a trait known as photoperiod sensitivity. 

EU Dairy Trade Almost Ho-Hum.  A USDA attaché report says for the past year and a half not much has been happening on the European Union's dairy export agenda except for "a timid first attempt" to promote EU dairy products in third countries and a revised import regime which has produced encouraging but not convincing first results. 

Ukraine Drought Hits Hard. REUTERS reports a total of 450,000 hectares of grain crops so far have been destroyed and another 1.1 million are considered critical. "We have to say that 450,000 hectares of grain crops have died as of May 28," Vasyl Soroka, head of the ministry's grain department, told REUTERS. "An additional 1.1 million hectares in southern and eastern Ukraine are in a critical condition due to a lack of water in the soil." Independent analysts believe 1 million hectares have been damaged by the drought. "We have to understand that the grain yield in this area of 1.1 million hectares will be much lower, but we hope that rain could revive the crops," Soroka said. 

Vidalias Hit by Fungus.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that Georgia's famous Vidalia onion crop has been hit this year by temperature extremes and a fungal disease. About 60% of the crop is reported destroyed. Growers in southeastern Georgia have asked for federal disaster assistance; the crop failure could cost farmers up to $50 million. "My future is going to depend on this disaster assistance," said Kelly Folsom of Glennville, who harvested only 26 of his 94 acres. "I hate to be in a position where I'm dependent on disaster relief, but that's what it's come down to. You can't destroy that much of a high-value crop and just overcome it." Still, growers said, consumers will be able to find high-quality Vidalias, but fewer will be available. Millions of bad onions were either plowed under or eliminated at packing sheds. 

Technical Guidance for Meat, Egg Plants Announced.  USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service will provide smaller federal and state inspected meat, poultry and egg product plants with a technical guidance package. The package will consist of three videos and a workbook to cover aspects of validation for HACCP plans, an area that FSIS has found a need for support and clarification in plants classified as small and very small. For more information, contact Mary Cutshall, FSIS National Small and Very Small Plant HACCP Coordinator, at 202/205-0010. 

Mexico, U.S. Work on Sweetener Solution.  REUTERS reports that Mexico and the United States hope to solve their four-year-old sweetener dispute, perhaps yet this year. The United States sets sugar import quotas in September. "We've had discussions with both our colleagues and ourselves to see how we can resolve this issue in coming months," U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said at a press conference. "I would certainly say that there is both the political and economic interest, and time will tell whether we are able to do it, but we are certainly committed to do it." Mexico wants more access to the U.S. sugar market, and the United States wants more access to Mexico's soft drinks industry for U.S. high fructose corn syrup. Each country has shown a determination to limit the other's access. 

Effort Begun to Limit Farm Subsidy Payments.  An effort has begun in the Senate to change the new farm law to reduce the payment limit to $275,000. The aim is to help smaller farmers instead of large, corporate farms. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) says he and Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) will try to amend the agriculture appropriations bill which Congress is suppose to approve by Oct. 1, according to REUTERS. As signed by President Bush earlier this month, the six-year farm law limits individual grain, cotton and oilseed growers to no more than $360,000 a year in farm subsidies, down from $460,000 under the 1996 farm law. 

May 28

TPA Passage Draws Applause.  The Senate's approval late last week of trade promotion authority on a vote of 66-30 has brought praise from the Bush administration and agricultural groups. The legislation is designed to give the executive branch a better chance to conclude international trade deals to which other nations will subscribe and that Congress can't change. 

GAO Finds Little Difference Between Foods. Genetically modified foods pose inherent risks to human health no different than conventional foods, according to a new General Accounting Office report. The risk of allergens, toxins and compounds known as anti-nutrients, which inhibit the absorption of nutrients, are present with both types of food, the report says. 

France Opposes EU CAP Changes. REUTERS reports French interim farm minister Herve Gaymard says France is opposed to fundamental change the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The European Commission is considering farm reforms that will come after the Agenda 2000 changes agreed by EU leaders in Berlin in 1999. EU Farm Commissioner Franz Fischler wants to use the "mid-term review" to increase spending on rural development, taking more money from traditional crop subsidies and aid payments, something France opposes. This was the first time that Gaymard, who holds the farm portfolio until French voters elect a new National Assembly June 16, had expressed a view on the mid-term review. 

ISO Urges Opposition to WHO Recommendation.  International Sugar Organization chairman David Willers wants ISO members to oppose a World Health Organization (WHO) report that recommended consumers reduce sugar intake. "If adopted, it would have a devastating effect on world sugar production and the economies of sugar producing countries," Willers said at the opening of the ISO's 21st council meeting in Durban, South Africa. The WHO had abandoned a 1998 joint report by the WHO and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) that said sugar was not a cause of obesity and other health scares, Willers said. "Now, quite suddenly, we have a U-turn by the WHO, who in their latest draft consultative report this year (2002), and without any scientific justification, recommend consumption of less than 10 percent of calories as free sugars." 

Genetically Changed Cotton Subject of Venture.  MaxyAg, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maxygen, Inc., and Delta and Pine Land Company have formed a joint venture, called DeltaMax Cotton LLC. DeltaMax Cotton LLC was formed to develop and commercialize for the cotton seed market innovative gene leads developed using MolecularBreeding(TM) directed molecular evolution technologies. The global market for technology-enhanced cotton seed was estimated to be approximately $480 million in 2001 and is expected to grow to more than $1.9 billion in the next 10 years. DeltaMax Cotton LLC will focus on the creation of gene-based improvements for herbicide tolerance and pest and disease control in cotton. Financial details were not disclosed. Under the terms of the agreement, DeltaMax Cotton LLC will contract research and development activities to MaxyAg, Delta and Pine Land Company and third parties and license products to D&PL and, potentially, other cotton seed companies for commercialization. DeltaMax Cotton LLC is 50-50 jointly owned by MaxyAg and D&PL and the parties will share income earned by the company. 

EU Farmers Promise Protest.  REUTERS reports the European Union farmers' lobby group COPA/COGECA promises that thousands of angry farmers will descend on the European Parliament in Strasbourg next month to protest reforms to the EU's costly farm program. A June 11 rally outside the monthly meeting of the full EU assembly is planned as a show of force against any overhaul of the EU's "Agenda 2000" farm reform. In 1999 farmers staged demonstrations in Brussels, hurling bottles, paving stones and uprooting road signs at massed ranks of police who replied with tear gas and water canon. Agenda 2000 limited the bloc's overall agriculture budget at 40 billion euros ($36.76 billion) a year until 2006. 

Russia Tells U.S. to Meet Poultry Rules.  Russian Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev says Washington is just going to have to meet the tougher import controls on U.S. poultry imposed by Russia, according to a REUTERS report. Russia banned imports of U.S. poultry from March 10 to April 15 claiming it was concerned about health problems involving antibiotics in feed and salmonella. Exports have resumed but slowly. Moscow has issued import licenses only for a limited amount of poultry meat while the two sides try to agree on a new general poultry imports certificate. "The U.S. party wanted to see the issue on the negotiating table," Gordeyev told a news conference. "Russian President (Vladimir Putin) was quite straightforward in explaining that we see it as a technical issue, linked to veterinary requirements." The U.S. Senate Wednesday failed to do away with Soviet-era Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions against Russia, demanding Moscow resumes full-scale poultry imports first. 

May 24

Senate Committee Mulling Disaster Aid. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) said yesterday that his panel will consider a disaster assistance bill in early June. The committee held a hearing on the need to provide emergency agricultural disaster assistance for 2001 crop and livestock production. Several senators and witnesses asserted the crop insurance program does not provide enough assistance when an area has multiple years of losses, as actual production yields decline while the insurance premiums increase. 

Penn Defends New Farm Law. USDA Under Secretary J.B. Penn believes the new farm law is compatible with U.S. obligations under the World Trade Organization, and criticisms or worries from other countries are unsubstantiated. 

Senate Passes Trade Bill. After 18 days of contentious debate, the Senate passed President Bush's top trade priority - legislation to require up-or-down, no-amendments-allowed votes on future trade pacts. The authority, which used to be called "fast-track" and has now been re-named "Trade Promotion Authority," passed on a strong 66-30 vote that belied the sometimes-rancorous Senate debate, and the difficult conference with the House that may lie ahead. 

Veneman Praises TPA Approval. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman joined other Bush Administration officials in praising yesterday's Senate approval of Trade Promotion Authority legislation. 

O'Neill Hears Subsidy Criticism.  THE WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill came in for sharp criticism over the new farm bill during a visit to South Africa. Many developing countries have been highly critical of the new legislation. 

Biotech Firms Working on Image.  Major agricultural biotechnology companies have been giving away technology, setting up foundations and supporting assistance to poor farmers, THE WASHINGTON POST reported yesterday. The newspaper portrays the efforts as a bid by companies like Monsanto and Syngenta to win acceptance of controversial genetically engineered foods. Companies call it good corporate citizenship, pointing out that recent developments in modified rice are unlikely to bring major commercial benefits to the firms. 

May 23

CRP Opened for Grazing in Seven States.  Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman Wednesday announced the early authorization of emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres in an effort to provide drought relief in areas hardest hit by drought conditions during the past year. The announcement was made so producers in eligible counties in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming could participate immediately in the program. 

Food Should Not Be Used As a Weapon.  Food should not be used as a weapon, the American Farm Bureau Federation told a Senate panel Wednesday during a hearing on U.S. trade policy with Cuba. "All agricultural products should be exempt from all embargoes and unilateral sanctions, except in the case of armed conflict," said Maryland Farm Bureau President Stephen Weber, a third-generation fruit and vegetable producer from Baltimore County. 

Alfalfa May Help with Salinity.  Alfalfa may help solve a problem that's been plaguing farmers and land managers for years in California, according to scientists with the Agricultural Research Service and their collaborators. The state's San Joaquin Valley is one of the world's most productive agricultural areas, sometimes referred to as "the nation's salad bowl." 

Cut Farm Subsidies, Say Swedes. REUTERS reports that Sweden's environmental minister says subsidies to large-scale farming operations should be reduced worldwide. Sweden wants the late August Johannesburg summit on sustainable development to focus on subsidies and set clear targets on issues such as clean water, bio-diversity and poverty reduction. "If you focused on one single issue that would be important for the future, it would of course be to get away from the environmentally unsound subsidies and to replace them with environmentally sound incentives," minister Kjell Larsson said. "As long as we subsidize for example the mining of coal, it will be extremely difficult for green energy to break through in the marketplace," he told REUTERS in an interview. 

Sharing Rice Genome Announced. The National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS) and Syngenta (SYT) have agreed to share the Syngenta rice genome draft sequence data with the International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP). The Syngenta contribution is expected to accelerate completion of a finished sequence and reduce overall project costs. The Syngenta draft rice genome sequence, developed by the Torrey Mesa Research Institute (TMRI), the genomics research center of Syngenta, was developed using the whole genome shotgun sequencing method. TMRI estimates the sequence covers more than 99% of the genome and is 99.8% accurate. A description of the draft sequence was published in the April 5 edition of Science. 

Senate Poised to Pass TPA. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that the Senate appears ready to pass a trade bill that includes trade promotion authority and protection for U.S. workers harmed by competition from imports. Approval is a formality after a 68-29 vote to curtail debate on the bill. Senate passage would clear the way for House-Senate conference committee negotiations on a final compromise. The bill represents a compromise between the White House, which wanted President Bush to have enhanced negotiating authority, and majority Democrats in the Senate who insisted on an aid package for workers who lose their jobs because of imports. 

Judge Throws Out Loan Suit.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports from Fargo, ND, that a federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit farmers filed in response to the government's attempt to recoup millions of dollars from bailouts in the late 1980s. The bailout contracts are "poorly drafted and confusing," but they do say the farmers owe the government at least some of the amount by which their land increased in value since the deals were struck, U.S. District Judge Rodney Webb wrote. The AP said the farmers' lawyer, Sarah Vogel, did not return a call "immediately." The dispute hinges on a 1987 law that restructured or wrote off billions of dollars in farm loans. It has been credited with saving 23,000 farmers from foreclosure during the 1980s, according to the news agency. The lawsuit said the federal Farm Service Agency began asking for a total of $4.3 million from farmers in 1999. The agency asked each farmer for half the amount of money by which that farmer's land increased in value from 1989, the year it agreed to write off loans above the actual value of the land. The farmers contended they had to share only appreciation money if they sold their land or quit farming within the 10-year term of the contracts; otherwise, the deals would simply expire and they would owe nothing. 

Farmer Arrested in Korea Over Pigs.  REUTERS reports that a farm owner has been arrested by South Korean police allegedly for burying hundreds of pigs to cover up an outbreak of food and mouth disease. Officials say the farm owner is being held by the police on suspicion of burying more than 200 dead pigs near his farm between April 27 and May 2 without alerting authorities. A statement from the Kyonggi provincial police agency said, "From April 27, around 10 pigs at the farm started to die," the police statement said. "First, he buried dead pigs in a vacant lot in an attempt to hide the existence of an infectious disease," it said. "He buried around 200 pigs that died showing signs of foot-and-mouth without notifying authorities," it added. About 12 cases of FMD have been confirmed in South Korea since May 4. 

May 22

Veneman Defends Farm Law Against Criticisms.  Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman says when you add in the supplemental assistance Congress has given farmers in the past four years to the AMTA payments under the 1996 farm law, the total is about par with what the new farm law provides. 

USDA Tests New Payment Route for Farmers.  USDA is testing a new program that will allow farmers to receive program payments via the internet. The pilot program will allow producers in selected counties in 21 states to receive loan deficiency payments (LDPs) via the Internet. 

Livestock ID Bill Introduced.  A new Senate bill would require microbiological performance standards for federally inspected meat and poultry plants and an animal identification system that would facilitate the trace-back of meat and poultry to the live animal. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sponsored the bill, S. 2532. 

Cotton Moisture Research Underway.  Agricultural Research Service scientists are working with a Tennessee-based company to find easier ways to regulate moisture throughout cotton processing. The work at the ARS Cotton Quality Research Unit in Clemson, SC, is part of a three-year cooperative research and development agreement with Cotton Conditioners, Inc., of Knoxville, TN. The goal is to see how various approaches tried in the lab hold up in a real-world setting. Researchers also want to develop, evaluate and commercialize an effective automated system to control moisture in cotton during processing in textile mills. 

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman Tuesday said she again was given "solid assurances" by Russian officials that poultry trade between the countries was resuming.  In a telephone meeting, Veneman said she was assured by Minister Aleksey Gordeyev that steps were being taken to return trade to normal levels, on the eve of the Summit meeting between President George W. Bush and President Vladimir Putin. She was assured by Gordeyev that two ships long delayed in the port of St. Petersburg now can be unloaded. The ships are carrying about 15,000 tons of U.S. poultry products. As a further positive indication, Veneman noted that two additional U.S. ships now are bound for Russia carrying product to be imported under the new import licensing regime. Gordeyev noted in the phone call that import licenses for more than 147,000 tons of poultry had now been issued. 

China Threatens to Tax U.S. Imports.  REUTERS reports that China is warning it will tax U.S. soy oil imports to retaliate against the U.S. tariffs on steel imports. The news agency speculates this latest action could make it doubtful China will open its agricultural markets to the extent it committed when it joined the World Trade Organization. Beijing plans to impose an import duty of 24% on U.S. soy oil if the WTO rules on the case against Washington, a spokeswoman for the Foreign Trade Ministry said. The soy oil tariffs would not be imposed until the WTO dispute settlement procedure on steel complaints had been completed, the China Daily newspaper said on Wednesday. China is running short of soybeans after months of disruption from Agriculture Ministry rules on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which took effect on March 20. 

Independent Food Agency Sought.  KYODO NEWS reports the Japanese government and the ruling coalition parties plan to get rid of the Food Agency. The plan is to create an independent panel to assess risks related to food. The government will decide on a plan to scrap the agency, established in 1949, by the end of June. The panel is supposed to enhance food safety and counter growing public distrust of the government over its handling of the outbreak in the country of mad cow disease. The government and the three coalition parties are considering turning the Food Agency into a department in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry's General Food Policy Bureau. 

May 21

Corn Growers, U.N. Officials Talk Biotechnology.  United Nations' delegates and representatives from the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) met in St. Louis to discuss U.S. biotechnology policies and the 2002 farm bill and "found some common ground on biotech," said one official. Representing the United Nations were Ariel Fernandez of Argentina and Jon Erlingur Jonasson of Iceland. They met with NCGA Biotech Working Group Chairman and Assumption, Ill., corn grower Leon Corzine and NCGA Director of Development Tom Slunecka. 

Fighting a Little Known Cotton Disease.  When planting the Sure-Grow 747 cotton variety last year, Agricultural Research Service plant pathologist Charles R. Howell was confident that his seedlings would grow just fine under ideal planting conditions. Much to his surprise, his cotton seedlings did not emerge. 

Plant Pests, Biotech Subjects of Public Comments. USDA's Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks public comments on the assessment of biotech events as plant pests. Under the Federal Plant Pest Act and Plant Quarantine Act, APHIS requires information on proposed introductions of certain biotech events and products to determine any risk of plant pest introduction. APHIS will collect the information through a notification procedure or permit requirement to ensure that certain biotech products, when imported, moved interstate, or released into the environment, do not pose a risk to agriculture or the environment if grown without APHIS regulation. Deadline for comments is June 6. Federal Register notice at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_register&docid=02-11157-filed Comment Period on Corn Rootworm Resistance Extended to May 31. 

WTO Executive Wants Farm Law Explanation. REUTERS reports that WTO director-general designate Supachai Panitchpakdi is willing to give the United States a chance to explain the new U.S. farm law. But he added that subsidies linked to production levels harm prices. President George W. Bush signed a farm bill into law this month that increased subsidies for certain crops and dairy products by 67% at a cost of $1.7 billion over the next six years. As the farm law followed U.S. tariffs of up to 30% on a range of imported steel products to aid the U.S. steel industry, the farm law has angered U.S. trade partners who say it contravenes the spirit of the World Trade Organization's current trade liberalization program that is designed to eliminate all agricultural subsidies. 

Snap, Crackle, Pop Wheat Crispies?  REUTERS reports that Australian scientists claim they have developed the first biologically engineered wheat to create wheat crispies similar to the "snap, crackle and pop" rice crispies. The engineered wheat has been field tested, and the producers see the U.S. market as the main target. The products have been developed by scientists with the Wheat Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) in conjunction with Sydney University and government departments of agriculture. 

Ethanol, EPA to Work Out Differences.  REUTERS reports that ethanol industry officials and office at the Environmental Protection Agency will try to work out a compromise that would avoid federal investigations of whether ethanol officials have violated the Clean Air Act. Industry officials want a quick resolution with EPA to avoid disruptions to a process that is expected to triple production of the corn-based gasoline additive over the next decade. A recent EPA investigation found several ethanol production facilities were emitting air pollutants such as carbon monoxide at a much greater rate than previously stated by the companies. EPA claims the problem is industry-wide. EPA and at least 21 Midwestern ethanol companies will meet at the agency's Chicago office on June 3. Companies invited to attend include agribusiness giant Archer Daniels Midland and farm cooperative Land O'Lakes. 

May 20

Corn, Soybean Growers Sign with Taiwan.  The National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association were involved last week in the signing of a joint memorandum with agriculture representatives from Taiwan. The joint communiqué is designed to increase bilateral trade and investment between the United States and Taiwan, and add momentum to U.S. free trade initiatives. 

U.S., Mexico Have Agreement on Potatoes.  In an announcement meant to strengthen trade relations, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann M. Veneman and Mexican Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food Javier Usabiaga have announced an agreement in principal on a protocol that would reopen U.S. table stock potato exports to Mexico. As part of the agreement, USDA will complete a risk analysis in June for a proposed rule to allow Mexico mini tuber potatoes into the United States. 

Grape Compound May Prevent Cancer.  A second compound in grapes has been found to have properties that give it promise as a cancer-preventing agent, according to an Agricultural Research Service study. The finding by ARS research chemist Agnes Rimando, at the agency's research unit at Oxford, Miss., is part of a study posted on the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry's web site. ARS is the chief scientific research agency of USDA. 

Salt Hits Australian Lands. Farmers in western Australia are concerned that their lands are losing value from salinity. THE AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION reports the 2001 Australian Bureau of Statistics Agriculture Census shows 37% of western Australian properties are affected by salinity. Worldwide Fund for Nature State Director Jane Madgwick, says it is obvious that a farm's productivity is tied closely to its value. But she says there needs to be a change in thinking to make properties with higher levels of native vegetation worth more to protect properties from further salinity damage. "Put a higher value on those bush blocks and in that way we can encourage landowners to really take care of, protect the remaining vegetation and to revegetate as necessary as a step towards controlling salinity," she said. 

Amendment Seeks Ease on Cuban Trade. Several senators are sponsoring an amendment to the trade bill now before the Senate that is designed to provide assistance to those in Cuba who need food and help U.S. agriculture as well, sponsors say. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) says he believes both goals would be realized with the amendment that would strike a section of the Trade Sanctions and Reform Act of 2001 to allow private U.S. institutions to finance sales of food to Cuba. Earlier this year, a similar provision was included in the Senate's version of the farm bill but was removed in conference committee. A vote has not been scheduled on the amendment but it could take place sometime this week when the Senate resumes consideration of the trade bill. 

Trade Bill of Special Importance.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTS that the trade promotion authority bill now before the Senate could have an effect on every U.S. citizen. Techically it's a legislative procedure that simply cedes to the president the authority to negotiate trade agreements that Congress can approve or reject, but cannot amend. "In order for me to be effective on trade, I need trade promotion authority," President Bush said. "I need the ability to speak with a single voice for our country." If Bush does not get that authority, "then no one will negotiate," European Union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy said after the recent start of World Trade Organization talks to lower trade barriers. Negotiating partners would be reluctant to sign an agreement that Congress could amend. Labor and environmental groups claim past international trade agreements have injured U.S. citizens, giving them reason to oppose the legislation. 

Veneman: Farm Law Similar Largess.  REUTERS reports that Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman believes the new farm law is little different from the federal government's generosity toward farmers over the past four years. The news agency notes that when President George W. Bush signed the bill into law last Monday, "the anger of foreign leaders bubbled over." Mexican President Vicente Fox, a close U.S. ally, said the new farm law would disrupt markets. Australia, Brazil, Canada and the EU have indicated that could file complaints before the World Trade Organization. "The fact of the matter is that it (the farm law) doesn't spend a lot more money than we have over the last four years," Veneman told REUTERS last week. 

May 17

Farm Bureau Joins Plowing Case.  The American Farm Bureau Federation has filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of a California farming operation. The Borden Ranch orchard and vineyard has been prevented from expanding by federal agencies that claim routine deep plowing is not a "normal farming activity." 

Vinegar Research Shows It a Weed Killer.  Agricultural Research Service scientists offer the first scientific evidence that vinegar may be a potent weed killer that is inexpensive and environmentally safe--perfect for organic farmers. ARS researchers Jay Radhakrishnan, John R. Teasdale and Ben Coffman in Beltsville, MD, tested vinegar on major weeds--common lamb's-quarters, giant foxtail, velvetleaf, smooth pigweed and Canada thistle--in greenhouse and field studies. 

Corn Growers Get Involved with Russia, Poultry.  With U.S. poultry production representing 27.3% of all corn consumed by livestock, the National Corn Growers Association is getting involved in the flap over Russia's reluctance to start importing U.S. poultry again. 

Korea Relieved: Cow Tests Negative.  REUTERS reports that South Korean officials are relieved that a cow tested negative for food and mouth disease on a farm not far from where the World Cup will be held. Authorities said they will increase disinfecting procedures ahead of expected gatherings for Buddha's birthday on Sunday, a major religious festival in Korea. Italy is latest nation to caution soccer fans ahead of the Wrold Cup finals that kick off May 31. "Don't worry about visiting Korea," Lee Joo-ho, director of the emergency team for FMD at the agriculture ministry said. "Our cases are limited only in a 3-km (1.9 mile) radius of the affected farms and for the past 3-4 days no more cases have been confirmed." 

Japan Tests Six Year Old Cattle. REUTERS reports that Japan's Agriculture Ministry says it may test for mad cow disease the brain tissue of all dead cows that were born in 1996, regardless of how the cattle died. The four cows that tested positive for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), were born in March or April of that year, the ministry said. The ministry now tests cows that show symptoms of the disease but only some that had died an unnatural death with no apparent signs of the disease. The ministry estimates there are about 26,000 cows born in March and April of 1996 that are still alive at farms. 

Mexico's Reaction to U.S. Farm Law.  Mexico may increase farm subsidies, hoping to ease the impact the new U.S. farm law could have on Mexican farmers, according to REUTERS. Mexico's Agriculture Secretary Javier Usabiaga told the news agency Thursday he had "serious concerns" about the law signed by President George W. Bush earlier this week. "We are going to try and search for certain measurements or actions that we can take so (the U.S. farm law) won't hurt or hurt the Mexican growers less," Usabiaga said in an interview. He was in Arizona to attend a NAFTA trade conference. "This could include subsidies," he added. 

Cotton for Columbia Pact Sealed.  USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Colombian Agriculture Institute have reached agreement for exporting baled U.S. cotton to Columbia. On May 1, APHIS approved a six-month trial of a protocol that removes a mandatory methyl bromide fumigation requirement for all baled U.S. cotton exported to Colombia. At the end of the trial period, the Colombian Agriculture Institute and APHIS will determine whether the protocol will be made permanent. The new protocol will significantly decrease the cost of exporting U.S. cotton to Colombia and will help reduce the amount of methyl bromide used by exporters. Before the new protocol, baled U.S. cotton to Colombia was required to undergo vacuum fumigation of methyl bromide due to concerns about boll weevil. 

EU Closes Market to Russia, Ukraine.  REUTERS reports it's apparent the European Union will not import cheaper grain from Russia and Ukraine. That forces both countries to look for other markets. Some analysts expect Moscow to seek a political compromise with the EU or retaliate by banning EU imports. "Whichever protective measures the European Union adopts, it will in any case mean a sharp reduction of Russian and Ukrainian supplies," said Andrei Sizov, of leading Russian agricultural analysts SovEcon. "Therefore Russia will have to fight to reinforce its positions on its main markets -- Northern Africa and the Middle East," he added. 

U.S. Forced to Defend New Farm Law.  REUTERS reports the United States has been forced to defend itself against charges of protectionism because of the new farm law. The U.S. position is that it remains committed to free trade. The charges came at a meeting of the 30 nations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Despite U.S. protests, the word "protectionism" was used in a final statement after the OECD meeting. U.S. officials had worried that everyone would draw the conclusion this was referring to U.S. measures. "The United States reiterated our very strong unequivocal commitment to negotiate across the full range of topics in the Doha agenda, to meet the overall deadline of completing the negotiations by January of 2005 and to meet the intermediate deadlines such as we face in the coming months," Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Peter Allgeier told a news conference after the OECD meeting. 

May 16

USDA Seeks 'Timely' Farm Law Implementation.  Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman Wednesday said USDA was committed to a "timely and efficient" farm law implementations. She also announced the formation of a farm law working group consisting of USDA's Chief Economist Keith Collins, Budget Director Steve Dewhurst and sub-cabinet officials that will work to ensure appropriate planning, coordination and implementation. 

EPA Seeks Trade Program for Water Quality.  Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Whitman Wednesday proposed a "water quality trading policy" to increase the pace and success of cleaning up impaired rivers, streams and lakes throughout the country. EPA officials believe this policy could save the public hundreds of millions of dollars by advancing more effective, efficient partnerships to clean up and protect watersheds. 

FAO Seeks to Help Hungry Workers.  Increasing the productivity and incomes of agricultural workers who feed Asia and the Pacific yet are hungry themselves is a central goal of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). 

Korea Seeks to Contain FMD and Quickly. REUTERS reports the South Korean government appears determined to avoid political and industrial demonstrations during the World Cup over a food and mouth disease outbreak. Thousands of cattle in areas affected by the disease just south of Seoul have been slaughtered. The area is where the tournament's first match will be held May 31. The government confirmed eight cases of FMD but said there had been no reports of new cases this week. European officials worry that their football fans will bring back FDA when they return from the tournament. Prime Minister Lee Han-dong was prepared to meet opposition party members and labor unions to urge them to avoid provoking unrest during the month-long event. 

Missouri Bans Barn Pictures. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports the Missouri House has approved a bill that makes it a crime to take pictures of animals in barns without an owner's permission. The ban would apply to still or motion pictures of farm animals in barns or other areas where they are housed. Photographers could be sentenced to up to one year in prison and a $1,000 fine. The legislation is aimed at animal rights activists and was added to other agriculture legislation. It now goes back to the Senate, which on Monday night had added a similar provision to a House-passed bill. 

Canada: Fewer but Larger Farms.  REUTERS reports that Canada has fewer but larger farms. Growers are becoming more diverse, too, responding to a rapidly changing industry. "Farm numbers have been falling for the last five decades, reflecting rapid changes in technology and increasing productivity," Statistics Canada said. On May 15, 2001, there were 246,923 farms in Canada, 11% fewer than the 276,548 reported in 1996, and the fastest percentage decline between national surveys since 1971. The census included farms of all sizes, from hobby ventures to large corporations. The agency said the average farm size in 2001 was 676 acres compared with 608 acres in 1996. 

Bush Doesn't Want Trade with Cuba.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports the Bush administration believes U.S. trade with Cuba would "prop up an oppressive regime." The remark was a rebuff of former President Carter and a bipartisan group of lawmakers who want economic restrictions lifted. "The president believes that the trade embargo is a vital part of U.S. policy ... because trade with Cuba doesn't benefit the people of Cuba," White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said. That defense of a hard-line position came as a group of 40 lawmakers announced support for easing the four-decade embargo on Cuba. 

More Aid Sought for Farmers.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports more than $2 billioin is being sought from Congress to funnel to farmers in the form of disaster aid. Disaster assistance was removed from the final version of the farm bill. This bill would cover weather-related crop losses in 2001. There also may be an effort made to get more money for losses this year from a drought that continues over parts of the Great Plains. "Passage of the farm bill by no means solves the problems experienced by most farmers and ranchers facing severe drought conditions. Their needs are not addressed," Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) wrote the White House. More money for farmers could be tacked onto a supplemental spending bill that the Senate Appropriations Committee will consider as early as next week. The Senate Agriculture Committee also is considering writing a disaster bill of its own. 

May 15

Senate Makes TPA Bill Veto Bait. The Senate Tuesday approved an amendment to the trade promotion authority bill which is vigorously opposed by the Bush administration. The measure was also opposed by some agricultural organizations. The amendment allows Congress to remove from trade agreements provisions that conceivably could weaken U.S. laws that protect U.S. workers and industries from unfair foreign competition. The amendment undermines U.S. negotiating power by effectively taking U.S. anti-dumping laws and other import protections of the negotiating table. 

USDA Launches Information Web Site.  USDA has started a new web site designed to help farmers, ranchers and the general public learn the latest information about the new farm bill. Farm bill program details, questions and answers, program applications and sign-up forms, as well as other important materials from USDA agencies on farm bill implementation are included on the site. The web site also will contain advanced electronic applications to help program applicants receive program benefits faster and more efficiently. 

Veneman Compliments Ugandan President.  Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman says economic growth in Uganda" is a model for Africa." Increasing nearly 7% in the last decade compared to 3.4% in the late 1980s, and far outpacing the rest of Africa. The remarks came Monday at a luncheon for Uganda's President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. 

'Remarkable' Soybean Growing Season in Brazil.  USDA reports a "remarkable" soybean growing season has been completed in Brazil. Market observers "are used to stories of record crops in the vast farming belt of central and southern Brazil, but this year proved unique in the degree to which soybean acreage expanded," the report says. 
Farms No Longer Exempt from Pollution Rules. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that California farms now must comply with air pollution regulations or the state could lose billions of dollars in federal highway funds. An agreement was reached Tuesday between San Joaquin Valley health and environmental groups and the Environmental Protection Agency. Although agriculture has been considered one source air pollution, it has not faced the same requirements as other industries. "It's been a long time coming," said Kevin Hall of the Sierra Club in Fresno, one of the plaintiffs. "This exemption never should have been in place." There will be a 30-day public comment period before final implementation, but EPA Administrator Christie Whitman has said settlement was the best solution. 
 

Germans Warned of Korean FMD. REUTERS reports that German fans attending the soccer World Cup finals in South Korea have been told not to bring food home from South Korea. South Korean officials decided to slaughter about 130,000 animals when foot and mouth disease was discovered. "In Great Britain it is suspected that infected food remains from Asia were the cause of (an outbreak in Britain)," German junior agriculture Minister Alexander Mueller said in a statement. "So we are urgently asking all football fans and naturally all other people traveling to Korea and the entire region not to bring back any food." 

Brazil Will Join Anti-Farm Law Forces.  REUTERS reports Brazil will join with other farm product exporting nations in a complaint to the World Trade Organization about the U.S. farm law President Bush signed earlier this week. Brazilian officials say they expect to join with other countries in a complaint against the increased U.S. farm subsidies. 

May 14

Russia, Ukraine Have Smaller Grain Crops.  USDA is projecting Russia's total grain production for 2002-03 at 74.6 million tons compared with 85 million in 2001-02. The total includes 41 million tons of wheat, 16.0 million of barley, 6 million rye, 7 million oats, 1.4 million corn, 600,000 tons millet, 300,000 rice, and 2.2 million pulses and miscellaneous grains. 

China Clarifies Soybean Issues. REUTERS reports that China has issued rules that apply to genetically engineered soybeans imported for human use and not soybeans imported for crushing. Companies have been hesitant to obtain approval from the health and agriculture ministries. Both have issued rules on importing GM products. GM importers would prefer the Ministry of Agriculture where the procedure for approval is more clear. Traders remained in the dark on whether foreign origin crude soy oil -- usually imported for refining before being sold domestically for human consumption -- would be subject to the health ministry's rules which take effect on July 1. 

Korea Thinks FMD Can Be Contained. South Korea believes it can contain food and mouth disease in pigs, REUTERS reports. "They (authorities) are burying animal bodies in a big hole near affected farms after completely sealing and disinfecting them to prevent the virus leaking," an agriculture ministry official told the news agency. The government has banned low-altitude flights over the affected farms, hoping to prevent the virum from spreading. Korean authorities think FMD will not disturb the running of the World Cup that Korea is co-hosting with Japan in June. FMD can kill cloven-hoofed animals such as pigs and cows but is harmless to humans. 

Companies Help Delmarva Prevent Avian Flu.  Responding to the avian influenza outbreak that has infected more than 3 million birds in the western part of Virginia in the past six weeks, DuPont and Antec International have donated 800 pounds, or more than 25,000 gallons of solution, of Virkon(R) S disinfectant to the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. (DPI) in an effort to prevent the disease from reaching chickens on the Delmarva Peninsula. DuPont(TM) Oxone(R) monopersulfate is a key ingredient in Virkon(R) S. The shipment of Virkon(R) S -- a disinfectant approved by regulatory agencies worldwide in helping to prevent the spread of animal viruses such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and avian influenza -- arrived at the poultry industry's offices near Georgetown, DE, this week. Containers of Virkon(R) S are being distributed to poultry producers across the Delmarva Peninsula. Using Virkon(R) S, poultry growers and producers can spray down transport trucks, set up footbaths and use other means as preventive measures to help protect the Delmarva Peninsula from the avian influenza outbreak. Avian influenza recently has been found in Pennsylvania, Maine, and North Carolina, but the Virginia outbreak in the Shenandoah Valley is the most severe. The Delmarva Peninsula -- comprised of Delaware, the Eastern shore of Maryland, and the Eastern shore of Virginia -- is one of the largest producers of broiler chickens in the U.S., producing more than 3 billion pounds of chicken a year. 

Monsanto Will Share Soybean Improvements.  As part of its pledge to share technology, Monsanto announced today its intent to release approximately two hundred Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) genetic markers to accelerate the development of a soybean with improved oils, better yields and more protein. Monsanto and USDA cooperated in the development this technology. Dr. Perry Cregan, a researcher with the Agricultural Research Service of the USDA developed the markers at the Soybean Genomic and Improvement Laboratory of the Plant Sciences Institute at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland. Monsanto will release these genetic markers to the United Soybean Board's checkoff funded Better Bean Initiative. They will be made available to the public sector via the USB's Technology Utilization Center during May. Scientists often use genetic markers as a flag to identify the specific location of a genetic trait of interest on a chromosome. By flagging the desired trait, plant breeders can breed plants more efficiently. These markers enable researchers to rapidly analyze soybean plants and identify individuals that have the best expression of a desired trait e.g. yield or oil content. This means that U.S. growers get access to better soybean varieties faster. 

Bush Signs, Trade Partners Protest.  REUTERS reports that trading partners of the United States are protesting the legislation signed into law Monday by President Bush that increases crop and dairy subsidies by 67%, at least when measured against a "baseline" estimate that some consider too low. Canada, Australia, the European Union and Brazil have said the new law contradicts U.S. calls for freer farm trade. No one yet has vowed to challenge it before the World Trade Organization. Also, President Bush may be close to getting trade promotion authority but signing the farm bill is impeding this country's ability to lead on trade issues, experts say. Others, though, believe the spending increases in the new farm program will give the United States additional leverage in bargaining with its trading partners. A major hurdle to final congressional approval of TPA was cleared last week with a Senate agreements on health care and other benefits for workers who have lost their jobs in the face of competition from abroad. The TPA authorization could be sent to Bush within weeks for his signature. "There's no question it makes it more difficult to make visionary proposals for market opening when you have spent a lot of time in the recent months taking measures like steel and the farm bill," said Chris Padilla, Eastman Kodak's director of international trade relations. If Bush doesn't get trade promotion authority, the administration's trade agenda will be "dead as a doornail," said Stuart Eizenstat, a former deputy treasury secretary from the Clinton administration. "One of justifications for doing the steel action was it would help buy some votes for TPA (trade promotion authority) and I hope that will actually pan out," he said. 

May 13

Bush Signs Farm Bill Today.  President Bush will sign the just-passed farm bill this morning about 7:40 a.m. The six-year bill was approved by strong majorities in both the House and Senate after two years of legislative work that began with House Agriculture Committee field hearings in 2000 and continued through shifts in party control of both the White House and the Senate. 

U.S. Goes After Japan on Apples.  The United States will initiate a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Japan on a claim that Japan unfairly restricts imports of U.S. apples. The Japanese refuse to import almost any American apples even though the apples are certified as safe by U.S. authorities, according to the U.S. trade representative's office. 

UN Combats Locusts in Afghanistan.  The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is coordinating efforts to combat a major outbreak of locusts in Northern Afghanistan, a region known as the bread-basket of the war-torn country. The locust outbreak, probably the worst to hit Afghanistan in the last 30 years, threatens large areas planted mainly with wheat. 

Cattlemen Talk Futures with CME.  The use of cattle futures contracts as risk management tools by cattle producers was one of the topics of discussion when leaders of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) met with Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) officials last week in Chicago. NCBA and CME officials agreed to establish a joint working group to assess potential new risk management instruments and evaluate proposals to enhance the futures contract as a risk management tool. 

Japan Finds Fourth BSE Cow. KYODO NEWS reports that a fourth case of mad cow disease has been found in Japan. The confirmation was based on information from a pathological examination and a Western Blot examination that is considered a more extensive screening for what formally is known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Last Tuesday, the cow showed one symptom, walking difficulty, and was slaughtered Friday. Officials at the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry said they will try to find the source of the infection. The four BSE cows were born from March to April in 1996 and the first, second and fourth were all born in Hokkaido. The third was born in Gunma Prefecture, north of Tokyo. Officials also suspect the fourth cow was given the same milk substitute as that given to the three other cows. 

USDA Labs Scored in Report.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports hundreds of USDA laboratories where dangerous viruses are kept have poor oversight, according to an inspection review. The USDA review said several laboratories did not keep accurate records even after the anthrax attacks by mail last year. In addition to inaccurate records of potentially dangerous biological agents, the labs also had no centralized inventory system and kept unlabeled vials. Inspectors said security at nearly half the 124 laboratories inspected needed improvement. Labs often had no alarm systems, security fences or surveillance cameras. Laboratory officials knew their facilities needed to be improved, but improvements were slow due to budget constraints and "pre-Sept. 11 management priorities." 

New Zealand Not Optimistic on U.S. Trade Concessions. New Zealand's Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton appears to be pessimistic about getting trade concessions from the United States during a trip to Washington later this month. Sutton plans to raise his country's concerns about the new U.S. farm bill in talks with Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick. "The (U.S.) farm bill is bad news for New Zealand and other agricultural exporters because of its high level of subsidies for U.S. farmers," Sutton said. 

GIPSA Issues Biotechnology Report.  USDA's Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) has published the results from the initial distribution of samples under the GIPSA proficiency program on the GIPSA biotechnology web page. To meet the needs of the grain industry and the general public, GIPSA implemented a proficiency program in February for organizations testing for the presence of biotechnology events in corn and soybeans. Participation in the program helps organizations identify areas of analytical concern and take appropriate actions to improve their testing capability. Twenty-two organizations participated in the initial sample distribution. For more information on the program and to review the initial results of GIPSA's Proficiency Program, visit GIPSA's Biotechnology web page at www.usda.gov/gipsa/biotech/biotech.htm. 

Korea Will Slaughter 40,000 Pigs.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that South Korea will slaughter 40,000 pigs in an effort to check a foot and mouth disease outbreak. Twenty 20 pigs tested positive Sunday in initial checks for FMD. In early May, hundreds of pigs were killed at a farm in the Jinchon district and another in the Ansung district, 60 miles south of Seoul. Four more cases were confirmed Saturday at two farms in Ansung and two others in the Yongin district . Seventeen pigs were discovered with FMD at a farm in Yongin and three other pigs at a farm in Jinchon district tested positive in preliminary checks of the disease. 

Drought Cuts Wheat Crop.  REUTERS reports that drought conditions will reduce the winter wheat crop to 1.3 million bushels. That's the lowest production since 1978. But USDA also reported the second-largest corn and soybean crops on record would be harvested this fall. Dry weather in the Great Plains forced the smallest winter wheat plantings since 1971. Production in Kansas, the top producing state, should decline 10%. Winter wheat production provides most of the nation's total wheat output. USDA also projected the total wheat crop at 1.886 billion bushels and exports at 875 million bushels, the smallest export total in 31 years. 

May 10

Coalition Seeks to Head Off TPA Amendment.  The Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority has written every senator in opposition to an amendment to the trade promotion authority (TPA) legislation under consideration. The amendment would exempt provisions in future trade agreements that alter U.S. antidumping, countervailing duty and other trade remedy laws from TPA treatment, enabling Congress to debate and vote on those provisions. 

Feed Quality Workshop Announced.  The National Grain and Feed Association will conduct the 15th in an ongoing series of its feed quality assurance workshops on June 11-12 in Des Moines, IA. The workshop, which is being supported by the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, enables feed mill managers to custom-design their own feed quality assurance programs using as a model a program developed by the NGFA. 

Canadian Hog Exports to U.S. Increase.  Canadian exports of live hogs to the United States continued to surge in the first two months of 2002, the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa is reporting. Total live hog exports to the U.S. during January-February were up 25% from the high levels of a year ago and are on pace to reach six million head this year compared with 5.3 million head during 2001. 

Japan Considers One Food Safety Agency.   KYODO NEWS reports the Japanese government may put an independent food safety agency in place. The agency would make recommendations to counter growing public distrust of the farm and health ministries. There has been a growing public mistrust about the way the ministries handled the mad cow disease outbreak in Japan, according to a draft government plan. KYODO NEWS obtained a copy of the plan. It said the new authority would be independent from and higher than government offices. The authority will decide if any types of food, excluding medicinal foods, and will negatively affect the human body, the draft said. The organization also will collect and study information on risks pertaining to domestic and international food safety. 

Puddles Grow Where Corn Should.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that about all that's growing in Illinois corn fields these days is puddles. Two weeks of rain and heavy storms have made corn planting all but impossible. And farmers are now weeks behind in getting their crops into the ground. "It's a problem and it isn't getting better. I think we'll be out at least another week," said John Clifford, who farms 1,500 acres in Champaign County and has yet to plant a majority of his corn. Statewide, about 30% of the corn crop has been planted, compared with about 85% this time last year, according to the Illinois Agricultural Statistics Service. The five-year average for corn planted by May 5 is 61%. 

Hanoi Hosts Rice Meeting. The adoption of hybrid rice by Asian farmers will be the main topic under discussion at the 4th International Symposium on Hybrid Rice in Hanoi May 14-17. Hybrid rice can achieve substantially higher yields through a process known as heterosis, or hybrid vigor, which enables the offspring of two genetically different plants to produce more grain than either parent. At the same time, hybrid rice is providing new opportunities for private-sector investment in rice farming through the specialized process of producing hybrid rice seed. More than 200 hybrid rice scientists, policy makers, seed producers and extension workers are expected to attend the meeting in the Vietnamese capital to discuss the current status and future prospects of developing and disseminating hybrid rice technology. 

U.S.-Australia Trade Pact More Difficult. THE AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION reports that a free trade agreement between the United States and Australia has been complicated by the U.S. farm bill, according to the National Farmers Federation. Australian officials predict the bill will have a significant effect on Australian farmers. Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson says the government will study whether the bill complies with World Trade Organization rules. 

Ohio Won't Accept VA, NC Poultry. REUTERS reports that Ohio won't accept chickens or turkeys from Virginia and North Carolina for fear of avian influenza. More than 3 million chickens and turkeys in Virginia have been destroyed and 136 farms quarantined because of avian influenza. Three flocks in North Carolina have been found with the disease. "We are taking this action to reduce the risk of exposing our poultry flocks to this devastating disease," said Ohio Agriculture Director Fred Dailey, in a statement. "Ohio is a large producer of turkeys, broilers, and layers and is the nation's second largest egg producer. If the disease spreads here, the economic impact could be up to $3.3 billion." 

Caterpillar-Resistant Corn Available. USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists are accepting requests for seed of two dent corn populations that produce plants whose silks contain maysin, a natural repellent against hungry caterpillars. Crossing the maysin-rich corn with elite commercial lines should enable plant breeders to eventually provide farmers with hybrids that withstand attack by corn earworms, according to Neil Widstrom, a geneticist at ARS' Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit in Tifton, GA. Farmers' main defense against the caterpillar pest in sweet corn is to spray the crop with insecticides, sometimes as often as 30-40 times a season. But a crop of maysin-rich corn could cut farmers' insecticide use by about half, scientists predict. ARS' Tifton lab will honor requests for breeder seed for five years. Samples are limited to 300-500 seeds per request. 

May 8

Indonesia Imports Soybeans; Domestic Output Lower.  Indonesia's soybean imports for marketing year 2001-02 have continued to increase to approximately 1.5 million tons and for marketing year 2002-03 the total should reach 1.65 million tons. The country faces lower domestic production and growing domestic consumption. 

USDA Officials Getting a Handle on Farm Bill Implementation.  USDA officials have visited the Essex County Farm Service Agency office in Tappahannock and the Dinwiddie County office, both in Virginia, in an effort to gauge the expected impact of the new farm bill on FSA staff and the farmers in the region. 

Consumers Economize in Grocery Shopping.  Still concerned about the U.S. economy, U.S. consumers continue to incorporate economizing behaviors in their weekly grocery shopping, according to the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Report, Trends in the United States: Consumer Attitudes & the Supermarket, 2002. 

Vietnam Quoting High Rice Prices.  REUTERS reports Vietnam exporters, facing a tight domestic rice supply, have quoted prices so high that foreign buyers have turned to other origins, traders said on Wednesday. "Offers are expensive and exporters also say that farmers don't want to sell and are holding on to their stock," a foreign trader in Ho Chi Minh City said. "Foreign traders are looking into supplies from Thailand or India, especially Indian rice, as it's much cheaper than Vietnamese." Domestic prices strengthened slightly this week to 1,600-1,800 dong (10.5-11.8 cents) per kg in the Mekong Delta, from a range of 1,500-1,550 dong in late April. Vietnamese5% broken rice was quoted this week at $193-$197 a ton, FOB Saigon Port, from $192-$196 last week and the 25% broken also firmed to $175-$177 a ton, from $173-$175 a week ago. Five percent broken was quoted in Thailand at $190, FOB basis, and $165 in India. 

Poor Prices Force Farm Bill Cost Up. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports the price of the new farm bill is increasing because of slumping commodity prices. That is causing new criticism for the election-year legislation even before it becomes law. "We have a train wreck coming, and that is going to cost the taxpayers a great deal," Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) said. The Senate is expected to approve the bill today despite the reservations of many Republicans, then send it to President Bush for his expected signature. The Congressional Budget Office says the bill will increase agriculture spending by $82.8 billion over the next 10 years, nearly 80% over the cost of existing programs. CBO previously had estimated the bill's cost increase at $73.5 billion, based on economic forecasts issued a year ago. 

El Nino Threatening Crops. REUTERS reports that dry weather in the Asia-Pacific, as a drought-inducing El Nino looms, is threatening harvests from the tropical coconut plantations of the Philippines to the temperate wheat fields of Australia. Regional weather officials say conditions signal the return of the El Nino phenomenon. The El Nino has been brewing in the Pacific for some time, although it may only be a weak one. Still even weak El Ninos can wreak havoc, and officials of some countries heavily dependent on agriculture are worried crimped harvests may disrupt the livelihoods of farmers, result in costly imports and in the worst case scenario breed social unrest. 

'Organic' Doesn't Always Mean Pesticide Free.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports that almost one-fourth of the organic produce in grocery stores could contain traces of pesticides, including long-banned chemicals like DDT, scientists say. A Consumers Union-led study of government-collected data found pesticide residue on 23% of organic fruits and vegetables and on nearly 75% of conventionally grown produce. The findings don't mean that any of the produce is unsafe. The residues are seldom even close to the limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The study is being published today in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants. 

Farm Law Costs 15% More.  REUTERS reports the farm bill will cost 15% more than expected due to low grain prices. The Congressional Budget Office said that although the bill was officially "scored" as costing $45.1 billion through 2007, within spending limits, the CBO also said its actual cost would be $51.7 billion, a 15% increase, if newer market price estimates are used. "That increase stems primarily from our current assumption that prices for many commodities will be lower in 2003 and beyond than we assumed last year," CBO Director Dan Crippen said in a letter, released on Tuesday, to the Senate Budget Committee. Senators were expected to pass the bill on Wednesday by a comfortable margin, although many Republican senators may vote against it. 

New AMS Web Site.  USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service now offers a new web site, which can be found at http://www.ams.usda.gov/international, that includes links and explanations for all of AMS' international services in the five major categories. The categories are commodity and trading standards; product, production process and equipment certification; scientific and intellectual property services; market and shipping information; and fair trade practices. The site also includes links to international organizations in which AMS participates, such as Codex Alimentarius, the United States Economic Commission for Europe and the International Organization for Standards. 

May 7

Cotton Wants a Weaker Dollar.  Citing the strong dollar's devastating impact on U.S. textiles, the National Cotton Council is asking the Bush administration to take immediate steps to bring the dollar back down to normal, historic levels. A letter to President Bush from the NCC, the American Cotton Shippers Association, the American Textile Manufacturers Institute and six other manufacturing organizations described the strong dollar's impact on U.S. textiles. 

Canada Hogs on the Increase.  Hog numbers in western Canada continue to increase relatively faster than in Canada's eastern provinces and in the United States. According to the U.S. embassy in Ottawa, Statistics Canada reported that Canadian hog inventories on April 1 were 4.1% more than the same date a year earlier. 

FAO Specialist Notes Issues for Food as Urban Areas Expand.  Olivio Argenti, Food and Agriculture Organization urban food security specialist, says urbanization is likely to take over the productive land, pushing food production further away from urban areas. This increases the cost of all activities associated with producing food and bringing it to cities, calling for massive investments. 

Korea Closes Markets. REUTERS reports South Korean livestock traders temporarily closed more than half the total 106 livestock trading markets in an effort to contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, confirmed four weeks before the World Cup starts in Japan and Korea. Since the disease is harmless to humans, its impact on meat consumption and on the World Cup is expected to be limited, a World Cup committee spokesman said on Tuesday. However, the outbreak is a big blow to South Korea's livestock and feed industries, which last week began its first pork exports since foot-and-mouth in early 2000 halted pork shipments worth $400 million a year, mainly to Japan. South Korea has slaughtered and buried more than 12,000 animals at six farms after pigs on Saturday tested positive for the highly infectious disease which affects hoofed animals including cattle and deer. No more cases are confirmed. 

South Dakota Cheese Plant Gives Opportunity.  THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports a group of South Dakota dairy farmers hopes to capitalize on a $40 million cheese plant scheduled to open next year. South Dakota currently has about 100,000 dairy cows, and the state Department of Agriculture estimates an additional 60,000 to 65,000 cows would be needed to supply the plant. "Everybody knows they are advertising for 65,000 cows in our state, and we would like to be a player," said Steve Masat, who farms in Spink County in north-central South Dakota. The aim is to persuade dairies outside of South Dakota to relocate to the county. Dairies now in California, Idaho, The Netherlands and Quebec are among the prospects. "I grow dairy alfalfa," said Gary Wipf, a Doland-area farmer. "Most of it now goes to Wisconsin. I have a few South Dakota customers, but most of it goes out of state. There is no reason why we can't use it here." Craig Johnson, executive director of Grow Spink, said the group has laid some of the groundwork for attracting dairies to the area. A specialist from the state agriculture department also is working with the organization. 

Clean Air Violations Probed for Ethanol. The WALL STREET JOURNAL reports federal regulators are investigating emissions produced by the nation's ethanol industry. The concern is that turning corn and other agricultural materials into fuel may be violating the Clean Air Act. The Environmental Protection Agency inquiry, disclosed in a letter sent to ethanol producers last month, comes as lawmakers from farm states and environmental groups are pushing a renewable fuels mandate in an energy bill, passed by the Senate, that would triple the size of the rapidly growing industry. Monte Shaw, spokesman for the Renewable Fuels Association, said the letter came as a shock to the industry. Twenty-one companies -- operating about a third of the plants in the industry -- were summoned to a meeting Monday with EPA officials in Chicago, but the session was canceled due to a scheduling conflict. Shaw said he expects another invitation soon. "We are committed to addressing any issues that might be raised by the EPA," he said. Tom Skinner, EPA's regional administrator in the Midwest, said he called for the meeting after an agency test showed that an ethanol plant in the St. Paul, MN, area was producing volatile organic compounds which can cause urban smog and carbon monoxide. These in turn can lead to heart disease in very high concentrations. He called them "additional emissions that weren't anticipated" in prior tests of ethanol plants and said the meeting with the industry would be held soon. 

May 6

Irrigated Land Damaged by Salt.  Irrigation produces much of the world's food, but about a tenth of the world's irrigated land has been damaged by salt, according to the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization, and this has become a profound threat to food security. Although only 17% of all cropland is irrigated, it provides 40% of the world's food. 

Argentine Harvest Slower This Year.  A week of dry weather aided harvest progress for Argentina's 2001-02 summer crops, but the harvest pace is slower than last year, says USDA. The corn harvest reached 36% compared to 50% last year, according to the Argentine Ministry of Agriculture report from April 26. 

Organic Producers Won't Contribute to Promotion Programs.  A last-minute change to the 2002 farm bill exempts farmers who produce only organic products from paying assessments to mandatory commodity promotion programs, according to the Organic Trade Association. The provision exempts only farmers who solely produce and market 100% organic products. It does not exempt those who grow both organic and non-organic products nor handlers of organic products. 

EU May Create Fixed Wheat Quotas. REUTERS reports that the European Union May create fixed-rate wheat quotas that favor traditional suppliers like the United States and Canada, according to a document obtained by the news agency. The scheme would be easier to manage than the current system of basing tariffs on reference prices but would be less accommodating to new suppliers like Russia and Ukraine. Citing a risk of "total breakdown" to the 15-member bloc's grain market, EU Farm Commissioner Franz Fischler last week said he would seek added trade protection by changing the way the bloc regulates grain imports. 

Korea Probes FMD Case.  South Korea is investigating a suspected case of foot-and-mouth disease in a cow located at a farm other than the one where outbreaks among pigs were discovered last Friday, REUTERS reports. South Korea has slaughtered and buried more than 12,000 animals at six farms near the initial outbreaks south of Seoul, including 5,000 pigs at the farm where the first case was discovered last week. "We received a report that one cow showed suspected foot-and-mouth disease in Yangju, Kyonggido and we are investigating," an agriculture ministry official told Reuters by telephone. On Saturday, the ministry confirmed an outbreak of the highly-infectious disease in pigs and said a cow was suspected to be infected. But that cow tested negative later for the disease, which affects hoofed animals including pigs, cattle and deer. 

Philippines Needs No More Rice. REUTERS reports that the Philippines is holding to its rice production forecast for 2002 despite the El Nino weather pattern, and there appears to be no need to import more rice this year. Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor told a news conference the 390,000 tons of rice the government had contracted to bring into the country in the third quarter was enough to fill a likely shortfall in local supply. The third quarter is the lean season in local rice production and the government usually ensures that the country has a 90-day buffer stock by July 1 in case of a shortfall in local supply. 

Some Excluded from Animal Welfare Law. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL reports that animal-rights activists are upset that the farm bill excludes mice, rats and birds used in research from a key animal welfare law. It does so by declaring that the small lab animals aren't animals at all for purposes of the law. The provision is contained in the massive farm bill scheduled for final congressional action on Wednesday and supported by President Bush. USDA regulations issued to enforce the 1966 Animal Welfare Act specifically excluded the types of mice and rats used in research as well as all birds. But the law itself covers all warm-blooded animals. Animal-rights advocates insisted that all mice, rats and birds were thus protected. Medical researchers, led by the National Association for Biomedical Research, which focuses solely on lab-animal issues, fought hard for the provision. But animal-rights activists were outraged. "If you're a researcher you can do whatever the hell you like with a rodent," said Mary Beth Sweetland, senior vice president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. "It's a common sense thing completely turned on its head by special interest groups." 

Farm Bill Complicates Trade Talks.  REUTERS reports that U.S. trade officials could face an even more onerous task negotiating for freer world farm trade due to the $45.1 billion farm bill ready to become U.S. law. Passed by the House of Representatives last week and facing a Senate vote this week, the bill would increase U.S. crop and dairy subsidies to farmers by 62%. It also would implement a voluntary country-of-origin label on meat, fruit, vegetables, fish and peanuts that would become mandatory in the third year. President George W. Bush has promised to enact the bill with its "generous and reliable" safety net for U.S. farmers. "It will be harder to achieve significant trade liberalization in agriculture after this farm bill than with one that was more trade-friendly," said Daniel Sumner, an economics professor at the University of California-Davis and an Agriculture Department official a decade ago. 

Canada Seeks to Counter U.S. Subsidies.  REUTERS reports that Canada is considering new aid to its farmers to counter large increases in subsidies proposed in the new U.S. farm bill. However, finding the money seems to be a problem, Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said Friday. Speaking in parliament and to reporters, Vanclief said his officials were looking to see if the $45 billion bill, passed by the House of Representatives Thursday, violated World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Speaking before meeting U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman to voice his concerns, Vanclief said it was impossible for an economy of Canada's size to match U.S. subsidies dollar for dollar. But some assistance was being considered. "We're looking at ways in which we can mitigate the disastrous effects of the U.S. farm bill -- ridiculous policy that they have extended and even increased," he said. "The government will assist farmers in bridging toward a profitable industry in Canada so that our farmers will succeed." 

May 3

House Approves Final Farm Bill; Bush Will Sign. The House Thursday approved the final version of the farm bill by a 280-141 vote. President Bush said he will sign the measure once the Senate approves the bill that was approved by a bicameral conference committee. 

Western Sugar Growers Buy Processing Plants.  Western sugar beet growers have agreed to buy six sugar processing factories. The move is expected to help farmers stay in business. 

Chile Ready to Employ Biotechnology.  Chile appears ready to increase its competitiveness in the world market through the use of biotechnology and genetically modified crops. 

BP Will Dump MTBE for Ethanol.  Major international energy provider BP will switch from MTBE to ethanol in California during the fourth quarter of this year. BP is the state's largest gasoline marketer. 

FMD Regulation Amendments Proposed. USDA wants to amend its regulations to give the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service authority to pay 100% of the costs for purchase, destruction and disposition of animals should they become infected with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), as well as for materials contaminated with FMD and cleaning and disinfecting affected premises. APHIS also proposes amendments to provisions regarding the value of animals and materials (hay, farm equipment, barns and other structures, etc.). The United States has not had any cases of FMD since 1929. However, due to the outbreaks last year in the United Kingdom and other countries, USDA conducted an internal review of current regulations to determine if updates were needed. This proposal is a result of that review. 

Japan Bans Korean Pork Imports.  KYODO NEWS reports Japan's farm ministry has imposed an emergency ban on imports of pork and pork products from South Korea after reports of a possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in pigs in the country. The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has said it stopped issuing quarantine certificates for imports of pork and such products as ham, bacon and sausage from South Korea until the safety of the products is confirmed. If an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is confirmed in South Korea, the ministry will take all possible steps to prevent the disease from coming to Japan, it added. The South Korean Agriculture Ministry announced that an outbreak is suspected after initial tests indicated several pigs at a farm on the outskirts of Seoul died from the disease. The results of final tests are expected to be known Saturday, the South Korean ministry said. 

China Back in U.S. Soy Market.  REUTERS reports that China is back in the U.S. soy market for the first time since adopting controversial rules in March. The rules require labels on bioengineered food imports. China bought 78,000 tons of American soybeans, USDA said on Thursday. The United States, the world's largest soybean grower, lost an estimated $180 million in business after China issued vague rules on genetically modified organisms (GMO), causing soybean orders to grind to a halt. In March, Washington and Beijing reached a compromise under which China agreed to temporarily ease some restrictions and to speed up approval of applications from exporters for certificates attesting to the safety of their transgenic foods. China has been the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans, of which 70% are now bioengineered. 

May 2

House May Give Final Farm Bill Approval Thursday.  The 2002 farm bill was formally filed in the House of Representatives Wednesday, the next step in the long road to final passage. The House may act on the measure today, and Senate action could follow shortly. 

Veneman Talks Homeland Security.  Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman outlined for a congressional committee areas where USDA continues to strengthen homeland security planning and preparedness. Veneman announced that USDA has allocated $43 million to assist states increase homeland security preparedness through grants and federal/state partnerships. 

ARS Gives Broccoli Industry New Ammunition.  Agricultural Research Service scientists have taken an important step toward protecting the broccoli industry against downy mildew without relying on fungicides. They have found genetic markers that identify varieties of the vegetable that resist the disease. 

Moisture and Drying Characterize East Europe Crops. Eastern European temperatures that have been above average since mid-January, according to USDA, with the two-week exception of a cool air intrusion in late March and early April. Possibly damaging cold during late winter, when there was no protective snow cover, never materialized. Currently, moisture conditions in the region are largely split along an east-west axis, with the best conditions existing north of Hungary. 

Stallman Says Dollar Hinders Exports. U.S. farm exports have been shut out of key international markets and some foreign farm products are stronger competitors in our domestic marketplace due to the strong value of the U.S. dollar, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman told the Senate Banking Committee. "Exchange rate issues are certain to increase in importance as U.S. agriculture produces more for export markets and U.S. food and fiber markets become more open to imports," Stallman explained. "If these issues are not resolved by U.S. economic policies, there will be continued pressure to find solutions in traditional farm policies." Stallman told the senators that effective long-range financial planning at the farm and ranch level and the overall economic health of U.S. agriculture depends on more stable exchange rates that do not overvalue the U.S. dollar. Stallman said Farm Bureau is also concerned about countries that devalue their currency to gain an export advantage for their producers. He said trade-weighted exchange rates for agricultural exports from all of the major competitor-countries - Canada, Australia, Argentina, China and Malaysia - have exhibited a long-term trend of depreciation against the dollar, contrary to market fundamentals. 

GAO Calls for Single Agency for Food Safety. Better coordination among federal agencies is needed to prevent food-borne illness outbreaks resulting from school lunches, Lawrence J. Dyckman, director of natural resources and environmental issues for the General Accounting Office (GAO) said yesterday. Dyckman made the comments before a joint hearing of subcommittees of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on Government Reform. In 1999, the latest year for which data are available, 50 school-related food-borne illness outbreaks were reported nationwide with 2,900 illnesses, GAO said. GAO believes mishandling of food is responsible for most outbreaks of food-borne illnesses. Creating a single agency to regulate food "would go a long way" toward improving its safety, GAO said in the report. Three separate USDA agencies are involved with the school lunch program: To view a copy of the report, visit the GAO web site at http://www.gao.gov/. 

Risk Management Education Programs Announced.  USDA's Risk Management Agency will award $4 million to state departments of agriculture, universities, outreach organizations, and others to deliver risk management educational programs for agricultural professionals, farmers, and ranchers. The educational programs must cover two areas: risk management education for specific commodities and crop insurance education for farmers in 15 underserved states. Applicants for the two programs have until June 3 to submit applications. Recipients will be announced in July. All cooperative and partnership agreements executed to carry out these education programs will be administered by USDA's RMA on behalf of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. RMA will work closely with award recipients on major tasks of the programs, with assistance from RMA's 10 regional offices. One program provides risk management education for producers of commodities that are not yet covered by federal crop insurance, specialty crops, and underserved commodities. Another program will emphasize crop insurance training for agricultural producers in 15 states that have been traditionally underserved by federal crop insurance: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming. 

NFU Applauds Chapter 12 Action.  The National Farmers Union applauds the House and Senate and the farm bill conference committee for extending the Chapter 12 bankruptcy provision. "Chapter 12 is an important tool for farmers and ranchers who are facing bankruptcy," said NFU President Dave Frederickson. The House and Senate recently passed an extension through June 30, retroactive to Oct. 1 when the last extension expired. The recent farm bill conference agreement includes a Chapter 12 extension through Dec. 1. Also, the House and Senate Judiciary conference committee is debating comprehensive bankruptcy reform. The House and Senate each passed legislation that includes a permanent extension of Chapter 12. 

Lamb Board Nominations Sought.  USDA is accepting applications from national, regional and state lamb organizations or associations seeking to be certified as eligible to nominate lamb producers, feeders, seed stock producers and first handlers to the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Board. The 13-member Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Board was established by the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996 and the Lamb Promotion, Research and Information Order . The board will consist of six producers and three feeders representing regions east and west of the Mississippi River, one seed stock producer, and three first handlers. The board will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture from nominees submitted by certified organizations and associations. The board will administer a coordinated program designed to develop, maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for lamb and lamb products. The national program will be financed by a mandatory assessment on producers, feeders, seed stock producer, first handlers and exporters. Notice of the opportunity to request applications for certification was published in Wednesday's Federal Register. Copies of the notice, certification applications and additional information are available from Marlene M. Betts, Acting Chief, Marketing Programs Branch, AMS Livestock and Seed Program, USDA Stop 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-0251, telephone number (202) 720-1115. Applications are also available on the Internet at http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mpb/rp-lamb.htm. Those organizations or associations wishing to be certified will complete the application and must indicate on the application if they are being certified as a producer, feeder, seedstock producer, or first handler organization or association. Applications must be received by close of business May 31. 

Corn Shedding StarLink Stigma.  REUTERS reports that the corn industry is shedding the stigma of StarLink, the unapproved transgenic variety that slipped into the food chain in late 2000, "but grain companies are not letting their guard down just yet against the rogue crop." The discovery of StarLink corn in taco shells sparked a nationwide food recall, hampered exports to Japan and South Korea and spawned class-action lawsuits from farmers as corn prices declined. In the United States, StarLink was approved for animal feed but not for human consumption because of concerns over possible allergic reaction. On Tuesday, however, the Korea Corn Processing Industry Association bought corn supplies from the United States for human consumption for the first time since the StarLink issue arose in September 2000. The condition was that the cargo of non-genetically modified corn should be accompanied by documents showing it had been tested for StarLink corn, which was spliced with a gene to make it deadly to insect pests that cost millions of dollars in crop damage each year in the United States. 

Humane Society Turns Thumbs Down on Farm Bill.  The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is urging members of the House and Senate to oppose the conference report on the farm billl. The HSUS, denounced the bill as a major retreat on public policies relating to animal protection. "In the dim light of the conference committee, a small number of Representatives and Senators rewrote this legislation at the behest of cock fighters, factory farmers, puppy mill operators, and other animal-use industries," stated Wayne Pacelle, a senior vice president for The Humane Society of the United States. "We strongly urge Members of Congress to oppose it." 

Boehner, Dooley Revoke Farm Bill Support.  REUTERS reports that two House negotiators who helped write the new U.S. farm bill have taken back their support, saying the latest version would create excessive government subsidies and violate world trade rules. Reps. John Boehner R-OH) and Cal Dooley (D-CA) said the farm bill would "force excessive government outlays" because of unduly high crop supports. They were among 14 House negotiators who reconciled House and Senate versions of the bill, which would increase crop subsidy spending by $4.8 billion a year and boost funding for conservation programs by 80%. The European Union, Canada, Australia and Brazil have denounced the bill for excessive subsidies. A number of U.S. environmental groups and farm activists also have urged its defeat. But mainstream farm groups overwhelmingly support the bill, which is expected to gain final passage with relative ease. 

May 1

House Could Act on Final Farm Bill Thursday. House Agriculture Committee officials say the House Rules Committee will be asked to issue a rule today on the final version of the farm bill. The rule will allow one hour of debate (no amendments) and an up or down vote on the conference committee's version. The vote is expected to come Thursday. 

FAO Seeks Anti-Hunger Coalition.  The 27th Food and Agriculture Organization regional conference for Latin America and the Caribbean ended in Havana last week with a strong commitment to creating a world coalition against hunger. Delegates from the 31 participating countries agreed on the need to follow up on the goals proposed at the World Food Summit in Rome in 1996. 

Agriculture Among Brookings Concerns. A team of seven Brookings Institution scholars has proposed a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges of homeland defense. The scholars noted that while Gov. Tom Ridge's Office of Homeland Security has produced a broad range of new programs in response to last year's airplane and anthrax attacks, it has not yet produced a full strategic plan for protecting the American homeland from terrorism, including agricultural bioterrorism. 

Japan to Disclose Company Names.  KYODO NEWS reports that Japan's agriculture ministry will make public the names of companies that asked the government to purchase beef which did not qualify for a buyback scheme introduced after the discovery of mad cow disease in Japan last September. The first disclosure is slated for early June, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said. The government buyback scheme was introduced last October to incinerate about 12,600 tons of beef from Japanese cows butchered before nationwide cattle testing for mad cow disease was begun Oct. 18. Under the scheme, various private industry bodies were charged with buying up beef stocks on behalf of the government which paid them subsidies. The ministry said a total of seven tons of beef purchased from 15 companies were found ineligible as a result of reexamination, such as 1,850 kilograms of beef whose quality guarantee periods had already expired before buybacks. The total also includes 2.1 tons of ineligible beef found in the latest reexamination. 

Indonesia Bans U.S. Poultry. REUTERS reports that Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, has banned imports of U.S chicken parts, describing them as not "halal" or safe for Muslims, because they were not slaughtered according to Islamic teachings. But many say the ban has nothing to do with religion but is simply a protectionist barrier that favors local producers. The dispute has already pitted one ministry against another as well as going all the way to the top after a recent visit by the top U.S. trade official. And many say Indonesia could face censure by the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the ban, in place since 2000, continues for much longer. 

No Trade Pact for Japan, Australia.  REUTERS reports from Canberra that Japan and Australia agreed Wednesday to aim for stronger trade and economic ties but played down the chances of a free trade pact in the near future: Tokyo doesn't want to end subsidies protecting its farmers. Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and his Australian counterpart John Howard met in the Australian capital Canberra with a range of bilateral issues on the table, including regional security and climate change, but trade took center stage. Japan is Australia's largest trading partner and top export market while Australia is Japan's seventh largest importer and 13th largest export market, with two-way trade amounting to A$39 billion (US$21 billion). 

Congress Unlikely to Lift Trade Restrictions. REUTERS reports that the difficulties that developed over Russian imports of U.S. poultry means Congress is unlikely to lift Soviet-era restrictions on trade with Russia ahead of a May summit in Moscow. U.S. ambassador Alexander Vershbow told a news conference that the dispute had hurt Moscow's case on Capitol Hill for lifting the 1974 Jackson-Vanick amendment which punished the Soviet Union's refusal to allow Jewish emigration. Moscow has been pushing for an end to the trade bar and wants Washington to designate it as a market economy, further easing trade ties. "Unfortunately the conduct of the Russian side in this whole poultry dispute has raised serious concerns in both houses of Congress, and raised the question whether now is the time to give Russia normal trading relations," Vershbow said.