Federal investigators continue to find salmonella bacteria in “critical areas” of Setton Pistachio’s Terra Bella, California plant. As a result, the second-largest pistachio processor in the nation has significantly expanded its recall of nuts. The company is now recalling all lots of roasted in-shell pistachios, roasted shelled pistachios and raw shelled pistachios that were produced from nuts harvested in 2008.
Because Setton supplies about 35 wholesalers and food manufacturers that repackage the nuts for retail sale or use them as ingredients in other products, federal officials said it could take weeks before a comprehensive list of affected products is available. The recall also includes some well-known labels such as Frito-Lay, Planters, Kirkland and the 365 brand sold by Whole Foods Market. A searchable database of recalled consumer products can be found at www.fda.gov.
FDA officials say consumers should not eat pistachios or foods containing the nuts unless they can determine that the nuts are not part of the recall. And wholesalers, retailers and restaurants should not sell products containing pistachios unless they know the source.
FDA is also investigating a sister plant, Setton International Foods, which is based in Commack, New York, on Long Island. That company, which makes chocolate- and yogurt-covered nuts, failed its March 9 inspection by New York state officials, who found cockroaches and rodent droppings in the facility.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Poultry Organizations File Suit Against EPA
The National Chicken Council and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association say they have filed suit in the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to challenge certain aspects of EPA’s new regulation on water pollution discharges from confined animal feeding operations. The new provision would require permits where there is a “proposal to discharge” pollutants into U.S. waters.
The regulation was changed in response to a 2005 ruling by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York that said EPA could not require growers to apply for permits merely because they have a "potential to discharge" pollutants to U.S. waters. The NCC/USPOULTRY lawsuit contends the new requirement does not conform to the Second Circuit's ruling.
In addition, the lawsuit challenges recent guidance documents, issued by EPA, that interpret the CAFO regulation. According to NCC and USPOULTRY, the guidance letters essentially say a grower has a "proposal to discharge" and therefore must apply for a permit, if poultry housing has a ventilation fan that may potentially exhaust dust or other substances on the ground where rain water might wash them into a ditch leading to surface waters. NCC and USPOULTRY argue that Congress did not intend to regulate these normal agricultural practices when it enacted the Clean Water Act.
The regulation was changed in response to a 2005 ruling by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York that said EPA could not require growers to apply for permits merely because they have a "potential to discharge" pollutants to U.S. waters. The NCC/USPOULTRY lawsuit contends the new requirement does not conform to the Second Circuit's ruling.
In addition, the lawsuit challenges recent guidance documents, issued by EPA, that interpret the CAFO regulation. According to NCC and USPOULTRY, the guidance letters essentially say a grower has a "proposal to discharge" and therefore must apply for a permit, if poultry housing has a ventilation fan that may potentially exhaust dust or other substances on the ground where rain water might wash them into a ditch leading to surface waters. NCC and USPOULTRY argue that Congress did not intend to regulate these normal agricultural practices when it enacted the Clean Water Act.
Beginning Farmer - Rancher Development Funds Released
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program received a ‘boost’ from Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on Tuesday. While visiting with farmers in Lathrop, Missouri, the Secretary announced that USDA is making more than 17-million dollars in grants available under the program. The Secretary said, - through the beginning farmer and rancher grant program, we can help ensure that we are doing all we can for the next generation of America's farmers and ranchers.
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program is an education, training, technical assistance and outreach program designed to help U.S. farmers and ranchers - specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or less.
Under the program, USDA grants will be made to organizations to design programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers. Funding is authorized through the farm bill.
The projects will be limited to 3 years. Budget requests in the proposals, which are due May 13, 2009, must not exceed 250-thousand dollars per year.
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program is an education, training, technical assistance and outreach program designed to help U.S. farmers and ranchers - specifically those who have been farming or ranching for 10 years or less.
Under the program, USDA grants will be made to organizations to design programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers. Funding is authorized through the farm bill.
The projects will be limited to 3 years. Budget requests in the proposals, which are due May 13, 2009, must not exceed 250-thousand dollars per year.
New Regulations Announced
New regulations for Marketing Assistance Loans and loan Deficiency Payments program have been implemented in accordance with the 2008 Farm Bill. As a result, the Commodity Credit Corporation will no longer adjust loan rates on warehouse-stored loans by premiums and discounts at loan making time. Loan rates will be adjusted by premiums and discounts only at loan settlement, if the commodity is either farm-stored delivered or warehouse-stored forfeited. This change starts with the 2009 crop year and does not apply to peanuts.
As part of USDA's modernization of delivering services CCC will no longer require the execution of a storage agreement in storage facilities that are either federally-licensed or in compliance with applicable state laws and issue warehouse receipts. There are case by case exceptions. This modification in the regulation is expected to benefit warehouse operators and producers by eliminating redundant costs without increasing financial risk for CCC. This change starts with the 2009 crop year and does not apply to peanuts.
The regulation for Marketing Assistance Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments redefines rice as long grain and medium grain. Large chickpeas are included as an eligible pulse crop beginning with crop year 2009. The 2008 crop year marketing loan and loan deficiency payment benefits were subject to a limit of 75-thousand dollars per person. Starting with the 2009 crop year, these benefits will no longer be subject to a payment limit.
As part of USDA's modernization of delivering services CCC will no longer require the execution of a storage agreement in storage facilities that are either federally-licensed or in compliance with applicable state laws and issue warehouse receipts. There are case by case exceptions. This modification in the regulation is expected to benefit warehouse operators and producers by eliminating redundant costs without increasing financial risk for CCC. This change starts with the 2009 crop year and does not apply to peanuts.
The regulation for Marketing Assistance Loans and Loan Deficiency Payments redefines rice as long grain and medium grain. Large chickpeas are included as an eligible pulse crop beginning with crop year 2009. The 2008 crop year marketing loan and loan deficiency payment benefits were subject to a limit of 75-thousand dollars per person. Starting with the 2009 crop year, these benefits will no longer be subject to a payment limit.
Senators Want Stiff Program Requirements
While there is a move on Capitol Hill to limit commodity program payments, three Senators want secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to ensure that farm commodity program payment eligibility rules contain clear standards for measuring whether a person is actively engaged in farming and thus eligible to receive payments. In a letter to the Secretary, the Senators, Tom Harkin, Chuck Grassley, and Byron Dorgan, asked USDA to make certain that an interim rule published in the Federal Register does not undermine the intention of this provision.
Under previously existing USDA rules, individuals and entities have been able to qualify for payments on the basis of minimal, and sometimes questionable, management contributions to the operation, which may amount to little more than occasionally joining telephone conference calls. The 2008 farm bill requires a participant to make significant contributions of capital, equipment or land in addition to personal labor or active personal management.
The General Accounting Office has recommended that USDA develop measurable standards. The interim rule only requires regular and substantial participation that is independent and separate from the contributions of other partners or participants. The Senators say - unless the local Farm Service Agency offices rigorously implement the active personal management test, the interim rule would leave in place a gaping loophole that may allow ‘conference call farmers’ and the farming operations with which they are associated to qualify for unlimited payments.
Under previously existing USDA rules, individuals and entities have been able to qualify for payments on the basis of minimal, and sometimes questionable, management contributions to the operation, which may amount to little more than occasionally joining telephone conference calls. The 2008 farm bill requires a participant to make significant contributions of capital, equipment or land in addition to personal labor or active personal management.
The General Accounting Office has recommended that USDA develop measurable standards. The interim rule only requires regular and substantial participation that is independent and separate from the contributions of other partners or participants. The Senators say - unless the local Farm Service Agency offices rigorously implement the active personal management test, the interim rule would leave in place a gaping loophole that may allow ‘conference call farmers’ and the farming operations with which they are associated to qualify for unlimited payments.
Coalition: Let Their Truckers Pass
An ad hoc coalition made up of 140 business, manufacturing, food and agricultural organizations, have sent a letter to President Obama urging him to quickly resolve the dispute with Mexico over allowing its trucks to transport goods into the United States.
The National Pork Producers Council is a coalition member. NPPC President Don Butler says - we need to get this trucking issue resolved, because, although U.S. pork products were not included on the retaliation list, they could be in the future, and, more importantly, our trading partners need assurance that the United States will live up to its trade obligations.
Mexican trucks now are prohibited from entering the United States despite a NAFTA provision that called for allowing them starting in December 1995 and a February 2001 NAFTA dispute-settlement panel ruling that excluding Mexican trucks violated U.S. obligations under the trade deal. Mexico recently retaliated against a host of U.S. goods, raising tariffs on a number of products.
The National Pork Producers Council is a coalition member. NPPC President Don Butler says - we need to get this trucking issue resolved, because, although U.S. pork products were not included on the retaliation list, they could be in the future, and, more importantly, our trading partners need assurance that the United States will live up to its trade obligations.
Mexican trucks now are prohibited from entering the United States despite a NAFTA provision that called for allowing them starting in December 1995 and a February 2001 NAFTA dispute-settlement panel ruling that excluding Mexican trucks violated U.S. obligations under the trade deal. Mexico recently retaliated against a host of U.S. goods, raising tariffs on a number of products.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Secretary to Lead U.S. Delegation to G8 Ministry
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will lead the U.S. delegation to Italy later this month for the G8 Agricultural Ministerial. The three day meeting begins April the 18th. Vilsack confirmed his attendance and pointed out that - hunger and malnutrition afflict more than one billion people around the world, causing human suffering, political instability and economic stagnation. This ministerial, he said, provides a unique opportunity to work with other agriculture ministers in developing a shared strategy to deal with food security issues.
The G8 Agricultural Ministerial is comprised of top agriculture leaders from the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Russia. In addition, agriculture leaders from Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, Egypt and the Czech Republic are expected to attend. Also expected to attend are: the European Union's Commissioner of Agriculture and leaders of the World Bank, the World Food Program, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
At the conclusion of last year's G8 Summit in Japan, top leaders issued a statement on global food security, outlining specific commitments to effectively improve the food security situation around the world. They also urged their agriculture ministers to hold a meeting to contribute to developing sound proposals on global food security.
The G8 Agricultural Ministerial is comprised of top agriculture leaders from the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Russia. In addition, agriculture leaders from Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, Egypt and the Czech Republic are expected to attend. Also expected to attend are: the European Union's Commissioner of Agriculture and leaders of the World Bank, the World Food Program, the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
At the conclusion of last year's G8 Summit in Japan, top leaders issued a statement on global food security, outlining specific commitments to effectively improve the food security situation around the world. They also urged their agriculture ministers to hold a meeting to contribute to developing sound proposals on global food security.
Congress in Recess But Plenty of Work Awaits
Most federal lawmakers are now home for the Easter recess - but House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has laid out an ambitious agenda for when Representatives return to Washington during the week of April 20th. And climate change - perhaps surprisingly - is not on her immediate list. With multiple proposals now public - Pelosi says Congressional Democrats need to work out differences among themselves over whether to push for a "cap and trade" system or some other method for reducing pollution - perhaps in the form of an “emissions tax."
What is on her list is to pick up where Congress left off. The House and Senate must negotiate a budget conference report. After ratification - the Appropriations Committee can get to work on spending bills. Pelosi hopes to have most or all appropriations bills through the House by June 30.
Still, bills dealing with the economy will continue to be on the table. Pelosi wants to focus on alleviating the impact of the crisis on individuals. Including bills on predatory lending, credit card reform, and stopping mortgage scams.
What is on her list is to pick up where Congress left off. The House and Senate must negotiate a budget conference report. After ratification - the Appropriations Committee can get to work on spending bills. Pelosi hopes to have most or all appropriations bills through the House by June 30.
Still, bills dealing with the economy will continue to be on the table. Pelosi wants to focus on alleviating the impact of the crisis on individuals. Including bills on predatory lending, credit card reform, and stopping mortgage scams.
Monday, April 6, 2009
WTO Head Calls Obama Extremely Engaged
WTO Director General Pascal Lamy told Reuters that President Barack Obama has been – extremely engaged – in WTO negotiations. Lamy also said, - my sense is that the overall stance of the United States is the right one. He added, - we are not there yet and I understand the U.S. needs some time to weigh up what is on the table.
During the G20 summit, the world economic leaders agreed to try to “kick start” trade liberalization talks at G8's next meeting in July. Mr. Obama backed the move after calls from European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The major emerging nations, notably India, Brazil, China and South Africa, will also be invited to the G8 summit in Italy.
Lamy could call a key ministerial meeting once Washington has indicated its position. Lamy added - I will do this as soon as I make a judgment that having ministers around the table is what we need to move forward. With caution Lamy added, - I am not saying when it will take place ... but the sooner the better.
During the G20 summit, the world economic leaders agreed to try to “kick start” trade liberalization talks at G8's next meeting in July. Mr. Obama backed the move after calls from European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The major emerging nations, notably India, Brazil, China and South Africa, will also be invited to the G8 summit in Italy.
Lamy could call a key ministerial meeting once Washington has indicated its position. Lamy added - I will do this as soon as I make a judgment that having ministers around the table is what we need to move forward. With caution Lamy added, - I am not saying when it will take place ... but the sooner the better.
Bill Promoting Pipelines Introduced
U.S. Senators Tom Harkin, John Thune and Tim Johnson have introduced legislation that authorizes loan guarantees for the construction of renewable fuel pipeline projects. This bill would establish a transportation system to move renewable fuels from where they are manufactured, the Midwest and Plains states, to where they are needed, along the east and west coasts.
Harkin said - promoting the planning and development of projects that transport renewable fuels efficiently and inexpensively helps enlarge the market for biofuels like ethanol, reduces our dependence on foreign fuels and will provide good construction jobs. Thune said - pipelines are the safest, most reliable and cost effective way to move biofuels from the areas they are produced to the markets where they are consumed.
Senator Johnson said - transportation options of truck, rail and barge will only get us so far. When compared to other forms of biofuel transportation, pipelines have the lowest energy input requirements and produce the least amount of carbon emissions. In fact, pipelines produce 30 percent less emissions than railcars and 87 percent less than trucks.
Harkin said - promoting the planning and development of projects that transport renewable fuels efficiently and inexpensively helps enlarge the market for biofuels like ethanol, reduces our dependence on foreign fuels and will provide good construction jobs. Thune said - pipelines are the safest, most reliable and cost effective way to move biofuels from the areas they are produced to the markets where they are consumed.
Senator Johnson said - transportation options of truck, rail and barge will only get us so far. When compared to other forms of biofuel transportation, pipelines have the lowest energy input requirements and produce the least amount of carbon emissions. In fact, pipelines produce 30 percent less emissions than railcars and 87 percent less than trucks.
Cotton Industry Wants No Program Changes
The U.S. cotton industry says it is clearly communicating to lawmakers that the new farm law does not need to be re-opened for budget savings. John Maquire, the senior vice president of Washington Operations for the National Cotton Council, told the Plains Cotton Growers Association’s annual meeting in Lubbock, Texas, the NCC is aggressively emphasizing to USDA that the agency should implement the farm bill fairly and according to Congressional intent.
Maguire told the group that after a lengthy and arduous debate, the current farm law introduced significant commodity program changes while maintaining an important safety net for production agriculture along with enhanced conservation and nutrition programs. He said - the 2008 farm law includes the most comprehensive and far-reaching reform to payment limitations since 1987.
In addition, Maguire reminded attendees that the cotton program will receive additional attention with the expected conclusion of the arbitration phase of the Brazil-U.S. dispute in the World Trade Organization. Maguire said the U.S. cotton industry believes that Brazil’s damage claims are overstated.
Maguire told the group that after a lengthy and arduous debate, the current farm law introduced significant commodity program changes while maintaining an important safety net for production agriculture along with enhanced conservation and nutrition programs. He said - the 2008 farm law includes the most comprehensive and far-reaching reform to payment limitations since 1987.
In addition, Maguire reminded attendees that the cotton program will receive additional attention with the expected conclusion of the arbitration phase of the Brazil-U.S. dispute in the World Trade Organization. Maguire said the U.S. cotton industry believes that Brazil’s damage claims are overstated.
R-CALF Wants NAIS Abandoned
R-CALF USA has asked Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to completely abandon what they call – the flawed National Animal Identification System. In a letter, R-CALF USA President/Region VI Director Max Thornsberry said – instead we recommend that Congress and USDA focus on targeted solutions to the legitimate livestock disease-related challenges faced by U.S. livestock industries. Thornsberry also recommended steps to meaningfully address legitimate food safety challenges, as are evidenced by recent and massive recalls of meat produced in U.S. slaughtering plants.
R-CALF USA recommendations focus on stopping livestock health issues at the border. They also include adoption of the surveillance and identification components of the preexisting brucellosis program, including the metal eartag and tattoo. R-CALF USA would also have State and Tribal animal health officials solely responsible for maintaining a statewide database for all metal tags applied within their respective jurisdictions.
Thornsberry said R-CALF USA looks forward to working with the Secretary to enhance our nation’s animal disease preparedness in a manner that builds upon our past successes and does not infringe on the rights and privileges of U.S. livestock producers.
R-CALF USA recommendations focus on stopping livestock health issues at the border. They also include adoption of the surveillance and identification components of the preexisting brucellosis program, including the metal eartag and tattoo. R-CALF USA would also have State and Tribal animal health officials solely responsible for maintaining a statewide database for all metal tags applied within their respective jurisdictions.
Thornsberry said R-CALF USA looks forward to working with the Secretary to enhance our nation’s animal disease preparedness in a manner that builds upon our past successes and does not infringe on the rights and privileges of U.S. livestock producers.
Live Animal Test Detects Scrapie in Goats
Agricultural Research Service scientists and their collaborators have developed a live-animal test to detect scrapie in goats. Called the rectal mucosa biopsy test or rectal biopsy, the new method involves snipping a tiny piece of lymphoid tissue from the lining of an afflicted animal's rectum. A dab of local anesthetic eases the animal's discomfort.
Lymphoid tissue is used because it collects malformed proteins called prions, which are thought to cause scrapie. Advantages of using the rectal biopsy test method include speed, easier methodology and its generation of a high number of repeat samples from individual animals.
Lymphoid tissue is used because it collects malformed proteins called prions, which are thought to cause scrapie. Advantages of using the rectal biopsy test method include speed, easier methodology and its generation of a high number of repeat samples from individual animals.
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