Ag News: Wednesday, November 23

"U.S. One of Five WTO Members Taking Lead in Pushing Doha Round"
Ministers from Brazil, the European Union, India, Japan and the U.S. have agreed to take the reigns in moving forward with the Doha Round of global trade liberalization talks ahead of the Hong Kong ministerial in December. The five key WTO members also agreed that a second full ministerial meeting should be held in early 2006. The issue of reducing farm support programs - especially certain farm subsidies - has been a road block for the Doha Round. According to Japan's Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister - that remains a sensitive issue - and continues to stall progress in the talks. The meeting in Hong Kong is scheduled to begin December 13th. The original goal of the meeting was to produce an outline of a comprehensive agreement - including numerical targets like formulas for tariff cuts. But in an effort to avert failure - WTO chief Pascal Lamy recently renounced that goal - recommending lower expectations for Hong Kong. Despite Lamy's recommendation - New Zealand's ambassador says a deal is still within reach. He says genuine and material progress has been made - especially since this summer. Because of that - the ambassador says - and these are his words - there is indeed something real and important within our grasp and we should not risk losing it.

"Grassley Asks USDA to Explore Active Farm Management Definition"
A Government Accountability Office report commissioned by Iowa GOP Senator Chuck Grassley shows many receiving farm program payments aren't actively involved in farming. Grassley says the problem is USDA hasn't defined exactly what active farm management is. So he's written U.S. Ag Secretary Mike Johanns to find out what USDA's doing to fix that. According to Grassley - the GAO report actually found that in a majority of cases - folks with little involvement in the operation were collecting benefits. In fact - some met the active management test by participating in annual conference calls about the farm. That's why Grassley hopes his letter to Johanns will lead to regulations that will shut-down loopholes in the rules on current farm program payment limits.

"Harkin Expands NAIS Study at Request of LMA, NLPA"
Just last week Iowa Democratic Senator Tom Harkin asked the Government Accountability Office to take a closer look at the National Animal ID plan USDA's proposed. Harkin expressed disappointment with USDA's failure to inform producers and federal and state governments of the costs associated with such a system. The day of Harkin's request - the Livestock Marketing Association and the National Livestock Producers Association asked Harkin to expand the study to include the cost impact on livestock markets and their producer customers. Harkin's office has explained they always planned to include that aspect in the study - and says Harkin will re-emphasize that in upcoming meetings with the GAO staff. According to LMA and NLPA - the impact on marketing facilities could be financially devastating if there's no federal assistance to help with the cost of obtaining the necessary equipment. LMA officials are pleased with Harkin's agreement to expand the study - and say his action reflects the important role marketing will play in national animal ID.

"Official Has Positive Update on Boll Weevil Eradication Efforts"
During a recent gathering of boll weevil eradication experts - a national coordinator for eradication of the pest shared the news that the boll weevil has been eradicated on 80-percent of cotton lands in the U.S. Cotton farmers in the South have been dealing with the pest for years - and eradication efforts started over two decades ago in 1983. Eradication programs are now operational in 17 states across the country. In fact - officials say 100-percent of cotton producing areas in the country are now participating in the eradication effort.

"Senators Support Legislation to Increase Agribusiness Security"
Republican Senators Pat Roberts of Kansas and Johnny Isakson of Georgia want ag retailers, distributors, manufacturers, formulators or aerial applicators of pesticides and fertilizers to have an incentive to improve security at storage sites. That's why Roberts has introduced - and Isakson is co-sponsoring - legislation to provide tax credits for the implementation of security measures. According to Isakson - farmers and ag businesses use pesticides and fertilizers that could be misused as agents for manufacturing illegal drugs. He adds certain chemicals could be used to develop explosive devices. Isakson says no eligible agribusiness would have the opportunity to receive more than two-million dollars in tax credits in any taxable year - and the security tax credit would not exceed 100-thousand dollars per facility per year.

"FDA, FSIS Hope to Iron Out Regulation Wrinkles"
The Food and Drug Administration and USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service want to settle jurisdictional issues affecting the regulation of foods containing meat and poultry once and for all. That's why the two federal agencies will hold a public meeting on the issue Thursday, December 15th. The FDA and FSIS are looking for regulation consistency and predictability - because right now - that doesn't exist. In fact - if you manufacture frozen cheese pizzas - you'll be regulated by the FDA. If you manufacture pizzas with meat on them - the FSIS is your regulator. If you're manufacturing both - you could have two regulators taking a look at your operation. But FDA and FSIS want to straighten all of that out. That's why for the past year - a working group of staff members from both agencies has been working to come up with a regulation plan that makes more sense. For instance - food safety experts have been asking why so many agencies have a piece of the food regulation pie - and wonder if there should be a single regulator responsible for inspection, ensuring safe manufacturing practices, labeling and enforcement. While that's reportedly not a plan agency officials are considering - those are issues likely to be discussed at the December meeting.

"Buis for President"
With the announcement from National Farmers Union President Dave Frederickson that he won't be seeking another term - NFU's looking for someone to build on his success. NFU lobbyist Tom Buis says he'd like to be the one to do it. Buis announced his intentions to seek the NFU presidency during the Minnesota and South Dakota Farmers Union conventions this past weekend. Buis says he brings passion and energy to the job and wants to continue the tremendous work Frederickson started. Buis has been with NFU since 1998. Before that time - Buis served as senior agriculture advisor to South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle.

"NCBA Looks to Award Environmental Stewards"
The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is looking for individuals and businesses that raise or feed cattle and demonstrate outstanding commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitats. NCBA's asking groups and organizations to nominate cattle producers for the 2006 Environmental Stewardship Awards. Environmental Stewardship Award Program program director Stacey Katseanes says the award program gives U.S. cattle producers the chance to show others around the country the innovative on-farm stewardship practices they employ. She says that - in turn - motivates others in the industry to try the techniques Stewardship award winners are using. And Katseanes says that - and these are her words - exhibits to the urban world how cattle families who live off the land are true environmentalists. NCBA will recognize seven regional winners, who will then compete for the national award. The application does take time to complete - so members of the selection committee are encouraging cattle producers to get nomination forms and applications well in advance of the March 16th deadline. For the ESAP nomination application visit http://hill.beef.org/esap