Wednesday, United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk and European Union Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton announced an agreement in principle on a way forward in the long-running dispute over hormone-treated beef. The agreement would provide additional duty-free access to the EU market for high-quality beef produced from cattle that have not been treated with growth-promoting hormones – 20-thousand tons in the first three years and increasing to 45-thousand tons beginning in the fourth year.
Under the agreement, the United States will maintain existing sanctions and will not impose new sanctions on EU products during the initial three-year period, and will eliminate all sanctions during the fourth year. In addition, the two sides will refrain from further litigation at the World Trade Organization regarding the EU’s ban on beef treated with certain growth-promoting hormones for at least 18 months. In the meantime, the two sides will seek to conclude a longer-term agreement.
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley recognizes that - this provisional accommodation would increase exports of U.S. beef, and that’s good news for cattle and beef producers. Still, he laments the fact that - U.S. beef from cattle treated with growth-promoting hormones remains locked out of the EU market. He says - this beef is safe and consumed by millions of people in the United States and other countries every day. He urged the European Union to - reopen its market to all U.S. beef, which is entirely safe.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Chief Vet. Reports Low Participation in Traceback System
USDA chief veterinarian Dr. John Clifford says low participation in a livestock traceback system could hamper disease control and make it harder to restore sales to nations who ban U.S. meat. Clifford told House Agriculture and Homeland Security subcommittees that - unfortunately, a disappointing rate of producer participation -- currently only 35 percent -- hampers our ability to achieve animal traceability. He said 70 percent would provide an - effective - program.
Clifford added; - while 70 percent would provide some measure of traceability, I must emphasize that we really need to achieve higher participation rates, as high as 90 percent, to ensure the benefits of the system. The goal of the voluntary identification program is to locate the home farm and herdmates of sick animals within 48 hours of a disease outbreak. About 510-thousand premises have been registered out of the 1.4 million premises the USDA wants to sign up.
Critics, including some members of Congress, say the program, which has cost 130 million dollars, is not working. Many have called for a mandatory system and hinted they may withhold funding until it is put in place.
Clifford added; - while 70 percent would provide some measure of traceability, I must emphasize that we really need to achieve higher participation rates, as high as 90 percent, to ensure the benefits of the system. The goal of the voluntary identification program is to locate the home farm and herdmates of sick animals within 48 hours of a disease outbreak. About 510-thousand premises have been registered out of the 1.4 million premises the USDA wants to sign up.
Critics, including some members of Congress, say the program, which has cost 130 million dollars, is not working. Many have called for a mandatory system and hinted they may withhold funding until it is put in place.
House Ag Subcommittee Reviews Impact of Indirect Land Use
During a House Ag Subcommittee hearing to review the impact of the indirect land use and renewable biomass provisions in the Renewable Fuel Standard - Subcommittee Chair Tim Holden expressed disappointment with EPA’s path. Holden says continuing with those provisions of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 will harm the biofuels industry. He says it’s important to expand the reach of biofuels - not hamper the farmer and forest owner.
According to Bob Goodlatte - Ranking Member of the Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research Subcommittee - the arbitrary restrictions in the RFS will limit the potential for biomass to meet the renewable fuels mandate. He said he not only favors development of advanced renewable fuels - but also developing policy that allows the market to develop the next generation of renewable energy.
The 2007 energy bill expanded the RFS and required that all biofuels produced from facilities built after the measure’s enactment achieve a reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA’s proposed rule for the implementation of the new RFS calculates the lifecycle emissions of each fuel - relative to the gasoline or diesel fuel it would replace. But biofuels are charged with emissions from indirect land use and gasoline is not. That’s something subcommittee members from both parties are not happy about.
According to Bob Goodlatte - Ranking Member of the Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research Subcommittee - the arbitrary restrictions in the RFS will limit the potential for biomass to meet the renewable fuels mandate. He said he not only favors development of advanced renewable fuels - but also developing policy that allows the market to develop the next generation of renewable energy.
The 2007 energy bill expanded the RFS and required that all biofuels produced from facilities built after the measure’s enactment achieve a reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. The EPA’s proposed rule for the implementation of the new RFS calculates the lifecycle emissions of each fuel - relative to the gasoline or diesel fuel it would replace. But biofuels are charged with emissions from indirect land use and gasoline is not. That’s something subcommittee members from both parties are not happy about.
Researchers Find Better TSE Test
Agricultural Research Service scientists have added a new tool they can use to study the development and spread of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies or TSE. This deadly group of diseases can develop in a range of mammals, including humans. A TSE can only be definitely diagnosed after an animal has died.
During the diagnosis, researchers typically check tissues for abnormal proteins called prions. But the present procedure has its challenges. The new procedure, developed at the ARS National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, lets researchers extract and identify abnormal prions in formalin-fixed tissue using a combination of mild detergent, a series of freeze-boil cycles, and enzyme digestion.
Initial results indicate the accuracy of this method begins to decline two years after the tissue is first preserved, and is completely lost at the end of six years. So, the researchers looked again at the Western blotting test already in use. They found that if they fix the tissues in formalin and then preserve it in paraffin, their results equaled—and at times even exceeded--the effectiveness of Western blotting analysis for tissues that had only been fixed in formalin.
During the diagnosis, researchers typically check tissues for abnormal proteins called prions. But the present procedure has its challenges. The new procedure, developed at the ARS National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, lets researchers extract and identify abnormal prions in formalin-fixed tissue using a combination of mild detergent, a series of freeze-boil cycles, and enzyme digestion.
Initial results indicate the accuracy of this method begins to decline two years after the tissue is first preserved, and is completely lost at the end of six years. So, the researchers looked again at the Western blotting test already in use. They found that if they fix the tissues in formalin and then preserve it in paraffin, their results equaled—and at times even exceeded--the effectiveness of Western blotting analysis for tissues that had only been fixed in formalin.
EPA Proposes Renewable Energy Goals
The Obama Administration made two major announcements yesterday concerning biofuels. First, President Obama issued a Presidential directive to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, Energy Secretary Stephen Chu and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson to aggressively accelerate the investment in and production of biofuels. The trio will co-chair the President’s Biofuels Interagency Working Group. Ag Secretary Vilsack followed with his own announcement, saying he will help lead an unprecedented interagency effort to increase America’s energy independence and spur rural economic development.
President Obama directed the Secretaries to expedite and increase production of and investment in biofuel development efforts by: refinancing existing investments in renewable fuels to preserve jobs in ethanol and biodiesel plants, renewable electricity generation plants, and other supporting industries; and making renewable energy financing opportunities from the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 available within 30 days.
According to Secretary Vilsack, - President Obama's announcement demonstrates the President’s deep commitment to establishing a permanent biofuels industry in America. He added, - expanding our biofuels infrastructure provides a unique opportunity to spur rural economic development while reducing our dependence on foreign oil - one of the great challenges of the 21st century.
Secondly, The Environmental Agency has announced a proposal that would require: 16 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels; 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuels; 4 billion gallons of advanced biofuels; and 1 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel be utilized by the year 2022. The proposal would also, for the first time, require some renewable fuels to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace. Also, refiners must meet the requirements to receive credit toward meeting the new standards.
The thresholds for the new categories would be 20 percent less greenhouse gas emissions for renewable fuels produced from new facilities, 50 percent less for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels, and 60 percent less for cellulosic biofuels. EPA also will conduct peer-reviews on the lifecycle analysis of the four renewable fuel categories. Lifecycle refers to the greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the fuels.
The 60-day comment period on this proposal will begin upon publication in the Federal Register. During the comment period EPA will hold a public workshop on lifecycle analysis to assure full understanding of the analyses conducted, the issues addressed and the options that are discussed.
President Obama directed the Secretaries to expedite and increase production of and investment in biofuel development efforts by: refinancing existing investments in renewable fuels to preserve jobs in ethanol and biodiesel plants, renewable electricity generation plants, and other supporting industries; and making renewable energy financing opportunities from the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 available within 30 days.
According to Secretary Vilsack, - President Obama's announcement demonstrates the President’s deep commitment to establishing a permanent biofuels industry in America. He added, - expanding our biofuels infrastructure provides a unique opportunity to spur rural economic development while reducing our dependence on foreign oil - one of the great challenges of the 21st century.
Secondly, The Environmental Agency has announced a proposal that would require: 16 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels; 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuels; 4 billion gallons of advanced biofuels; and 1 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel be utilized by the year 2022. The proposal would also, for the first time, require some renewable fuels to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace. Also, refiners must meet the requirements to receive credit toward meeting the new standards.
The thresholds for the new categories would be 20 percent less greenhouse gas emissions for renewable fuels produced from new facilities, 50 percent less for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels, and 60 percent less for cellulosic biofuels. EPA also will conduct peer-reviews on the lifecycle analysis of the four renewable fuel categories. Lifecycle refers to the greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the fuels.
The 60-day comment period on this proposal will begin upon publication in the Federal Register. During the comment period EPA will hold a public workshop on lifecycle analysis to assure full understanding of the analyses conducted, the issues addressed and the options that are discussed.
Growth Energy Supports Bioenergy Working Group
Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy says, - with the establishment of this working group by the President, America has taken an important step toward sustainability, energy security and economic vitality. By charging three cabinet secretaries with the development of the nation’s biofuels industry and infrastructure, the President has spoken loud and clear about the important role biofuels play in our present and future.
Buis also praised U.S. EPA administrator Lisa Jackson for soliciting peer-reviewed science on the life-cycle analysis of biofuels for purposes of the RFS II rulemaking. Buis said it was especially important to further study the controversial theory of indirect land use change before finalizing the greenhouse gas emissions scores for biofuels. Buis pointed out, - as the European Union discovered while developing their biofuels regulations, the science on indirect land use is unsettled and the theory is not ready for regulatory usage.
Buis also praised U.S. EPA administrator Lisa Jackson for soliciting peer-reviewed science on the life-cycle analysis of biofuels for purposes of the RFS II rulemaking. Buis said it was especially important to further study the controversial theory of indirect land use change before finalizing the greenhouse gas emissions scores for biofuels. Buis pointed out, - as the European Union discovered while developing their biofuels regulations, the science on indirect land use is unsettled and the theory is not ready for regulatory usage.
Horse Slaughter Bill Now Montana Law
Ever since a state law in Illinois forced the closing of Cavel International in Dekalb, Illinois, horse owners have had no place to send their horses for slaughter. But, a new state law in Montana appears to be changing that situation. Legislation to allow investor-owned horse slaughterhouses in Montana became law last week when Governor Brian Schweitzer neither signed nor vetoed the action. The law limits opportunities for legal action against such investors.
Montana may be only the first state to permit horse slaughtering plants to operate. Lawmakers in a number of states, including Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Washington and Tennessee, are considering introducing legislation in support of the horse industry. Other bills are pending in Congress.
Montana may be only the first state to permit horse slaughtering plants to operate. Lawmakers in a number of states, including Georgia, Kentucky, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Washington and Tennessee, are considering introducing legislation in support of the horse industry. Other bills are pending in Congress.
Monsanto Files Suit Against DuPont
Monsanto is suing DuPont and its wholly owned subsidiary Pioneer to prevent unlawful use of Roundup Ready herbicide tolerant technologies in soybeans and corn. That’s according to Monsanto’s website. Monsanto CEO Hugh Grant says unlawfully taking technology is unethical and wrong. But DuPont claims Monsanto is trying to deny farmers access to alternative technologies at a time when they’re struggling with weeds increasingly resistant to current Monsanto products. DuPont group vice president James C. Borel says Monsanto has a history of using litigation and aggressive tactics to preserve their monopoly.
Monsanto alleges Pioneer is misusing the Roundup Ready trait to mask problems with their own Optimum GAT trait - a trait they say Pioneer has admitted presents unacceptable risks to farmers when used alone. But DuPont’s Borel says the lawsuit incorrectly claims Pioneer and DuPont can’t stack Optimum GAT with soybeans already containing a Roundup Ready trait.
This is not the first time Monsanto has filed litigation against Pioneer. A previous case involved Monsanto’s YieldGard Corn Borer Trait.
Monsanto alleges Pioneer is misusing the Roundup Ready trait to mask problems with their own Optimum GAT trait - a trait they say Pioneer has admitted presents unacceptable risks to farmers when used alone. But DuPont’s Borel says the lawsuit incorrectly claims Pioneer and DuPont can’t stack Optimum GAT with soybeans already containing a Roundup Ready trait.
This is not the first time Monsanto has filed litigation against Pioneer. A previous case involved Monsanto’s YieldGard Corn Borer Trait.
Scientists Learn More about Wheat Leaf Rust Fungus
Up to 60 resistance genes have been known to combat Puccinia triticina, the
fungus that causes wheat leaf rust. But the pathogen is so genetically
diverse and quick to adapt that most wheat resistance genes prove
ineffective within a few years. Never-the-less, scientists with the Agricultural Research Service say they are now better equipped to keep track of it.
Scientists have found that the strains of P. triticina infecting wheat in North
America fall into five genetically distinct groups, with two widely
distributed groups accounting for 90 percent of the total population. The
five groups also differ in their ability to overcome a number of resistance
genes, an indication that different groups of P. triticina develop virulence
traits at different rates.
The work will help researchers identify the origins of emerging strains of P. triticina,
unravel clues about migration patterns, monitor shifts in virulence and figure out why some resistance genes are more effective and long-lasting than others.
fungus that causes wheat leaf rust. But the pathogen is so genetically
diverse and quick to adapt that most wheat resistance genes prove
ineffective within a few years. Never-the-less, scientists with the Agricultural Research Service say they are now better equipped to keep track of it.
Scientists have found that the strains of P. triticina infecting wheat in North
America fall into five genetically distinct groups, with two widely
distributed groups accounting for 90 percent of the total population. The
five groups also differ in their ability to overcome a number of resistance
genes, an indication that different groups of P. triticina develop virulence
traits at different rates.
The work will help researchers identify the origins of emerging strains of P. triticina,
unravel clues about migration patterns, monitor shifts in virulence and figure out why some resistance genes are more effective and long-lasting than others.
Funds Available to Support Organic Farming
Speaking to the USDA National Organic Standards Board, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced the availability of 50-million dollars for a new initiative to meet the Obama Administration's promise to encourage more organic agriculture production. Merrigan said, - the objective of this initiative is to make organic food producers eligible to compete for EQIP financial assistance.
Under the Organic Initiative required minimum core conservation practices will be determined by specific resource concerns. The practices are: Conservation Crop Rotation; Cover Crop; Nutrient Management; Pest Management; Prescribed Grazing; and Forage Harvest Management. States must consider using any appropriate practice that meets the resource concern on a particular operation. Applications received from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming will be accepted between May 11 and May 29.
Senate Ag Committee Chair, Tom Harkin said, - organic farmers have not been able to fully utilize federal conservation programs such as EQIP. The 2008 farm bill and the funding announcement will support sound conservation among farmers wanting to get into organic agriculture. There is a limited application time frame and I encourage organic farmers to take advantage of this program.
Under the Organic Initiative required minimum core conservation practices will be determined by specific resource concerns. The practices are: Conservation Crop Rotation; Cover Crop; Nutrient Management; Pest Management; Prescribed Grazing; and Forage Harvest Management. States must consider using any appropriate practice that meets the resource concern on a particular operation. Applications received from organic producers or producers in transition to organic farming will be accepted between May 11 and May 29.
Senate Ag Committee Chair, Tom Harkin said, - organic farmers have not been able to fully utilize federal conservation programs such as EQIP. The 2008 farm bill and the funding announcement will support sound conservation among farmers wanting to get into organic agriculture. There is a limited application time frame and I encourage organic farmers to take advantage of this program.
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