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USDA'S ROLE IN MARKETING PRODUCTS OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
USDA revealed its plans to begin rulemaking on the role it should play in facilitating marketing of
biotechnologically enhanced products. The plan was announced during the second meeting of the Advisory Committee on Agricultural Biotechnology (ACAB) held in Washington, DC, July 26-27. The Advisory
Committee was established to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on policy issues related to agricultural biotechnology.
USDA believes it is important to maintain an intensive and regular dialogue to explore and understand the broad array of issues related to the expanding dimensions and importance of agricultural biotechnology.
The rulemaking process is expected to begin in September with the initial process being subject to a 60-day comment period. This would include a request
for comments on whether USDA should establish guidelines or procedures for segregating biotechnologically enhanced crops from non biotech varieties, similar to the program envisioned under USDA's proposed national
organic program rules. The organic rules would establish a government-based process for certifying non-biotech production and handling systems. The proposed organic rules call for a system in which third
parties would be certified to verify private sector identity preservation and segregation systems.
The major portion of the next meeting of ACAB is to be devoted to discussing the impact of the transmission of genetic traits from biotech products to
non-biotech products. This would include the potential impact of such transmission on the ability to adequately segregate biotech from non-biotech products. The committee will also examine the role of
USDA's public seed-breeding program in developing new biotech varieties.
The next meeting of the ACAB is scheduled for November 14-15. The meetings are open to the public and a public comment period is scheduled during each meeting.
YOUR VOICE IS NEEDED
Washington, D.C. is about as quiet as it ever gets - not just because of the heat and humidity but because
your elected leaders have taken to the hills and valleys of home and the campaign trail. While your Senators and Representatives are home for their summer recess (until September 5) there are several very
important issues that remain unresolved. NAWG is urging all producers to call and if possible, meet with their congressional delegations on PNTR for CHINA and SANCTIONS REFORM.
China - The message to your Senators is simple.
1. Please pass the House version of the legislation - without amendments - that would grant
China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR).
2. Move quickly to finalize debates and vote as soon as possible.
Sanction Reform - The message that all Members of Congress need to hear is:
1. Agriculture and medical products must be exempt from existing and
future unilateral trade sanctions, unless approved by the Congress.
2. All countries must be treated equally (no carve out for Cuba). No country should be singled out legislatively for disparate treatment.
3. Oppose all restrictions on commercial (non-government) financing and other commercial business tools such as insurance, related to export sales of agricultural products and medicine.
4. Early in September,
conclude the agricultural appropriations legislation and any other legislation containing sanction reform language. If the Agricultural appropriations legislation is rolled into an omnibus trade bill at the
end of Congress the Leadership can drop any language they do not like - and we know they do not want to ease sanctions on Cuba.
We like the Senate version of sanctions reform but know there is very little chance of getting it through the Conference committee on ag appropriations.
Please take advantage of the long August recess to help get these messages to your Congressional delegation.
Also let NAWG know if you hear of any problems that we can help with on China or Sanctions Reform.
NAWG JOINS OPPOSITION TO CITRUS LIMITS
This week NAWG joined other national agriculture groups in opposing language included in
the Senate version of the FY2001 Agriculture Appropriations bill that would delay the importing of lemons from Argentina. In keeping with established sanitary/photosanitary agreements, officials from USDA's Animal
Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) cleared the lemons for importation in June. The Senate language would delay the APHIS decision for one year.
The bill, which cleared the House on July 11 and the Senate on July 20, currently awaits action by a conference committee that will hammer out differences
between the House and Senate versions of the bill when Congress returns to work next month.
In a letter to conferees, agriculture groups point out that, "For U.S. agriculture, the potential ramifications arising from the provision included in the
Agriculture Appropriations bill are sobering. First, Argentina could challenge these actions and easily win a case before the World Trade Organization (WTO). The exhaustive USDA record plainly shows the scientific
basis for the export of Argentine citrus to the United States. After the inevitable WTO decision, if the United States did not drop its ban, Argentine retaliation would certainly be focused on U.S. farm
exports."
The letter goes on to state, "[I]f the United States uses the political process to stop the export of Argentine lemons to the United States, Argentina can
be expected to delay, if not derail, its review of U.S. agricultural products." Argentina is currently reviewing applications for the importation of U.S. citrus, pork and other commodities.
While not directly related to wheat trade, the dispute and possible WTO reaction would negatively impact wheat producers by politicizing the
sanitary/photosanitary process here in the United States. NAWG has long supported basing all such international standards on sound science and fears that the Senate approved language would severely undermine this
effort – an effort that the U.S. has, in the past, lead around the world.
CANADA THISTLE RAPIDILY INCREASING
Canada thistle is rapidly becoming North Dakota's most widespread noxious weed, increasing at
an average rate of 99,000 acres every year, according to Richard Zollinger, extension weed specialist at North Dakota State University.
At the present rate of infestation, Canada thistle will surpass leafy spurge in total acreage by 2002, Zollinger says. The most recent data suggests it already
infests more than 900,000 acres, up 300 percent since 1992.
Zollinger says both NDSU Extension Service staff and the North Dakota Department of Agriculture have received numerous phone calls from landowners concerned
with lack of Canada thistle control in neighboring cropland, pasture and CRP land.
State law requires every citizen to control the spread of noxious weeds on their land. If noxious weeds are not properly controlled, complaints should be made
to county or city weed boards.
Control methods include hand-cutting, mowing, controlled burning and herbicides. Canada thistle is a perennial, so entire plants must be killed to prevent
regrowth from rootstock, says Zollinger.
Research on biological control of the weed is under way.
COVER CROP OFFERS ADVANTAGES IN FLOODED-OUT FIELDS
Seeding a cover crop can provide an array of advantages where heavy rains have
destroyed crops in Minnesota and North Dakota farm fields. Jim Stordahl, educator in Clay County with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, says several hundred thousand acres where crops are gone could
benefit from a cover crop. Read more in the Farm and Ranch Guide at: http://www.farmandranchguide.com/display/inn_prod/Production/prod07.t xt
FARMERS DISCOVER NEW CHEMISTRY FOR WHEAT
Growers have a new tool for dealing with tough wild oat problems in spring wheat and
durum. Read more from the Farm and Ranch Guide at:
http://www.farmandranchguide.com/display/inn_prod/Production/prod02.t xt
USDA RELEASES CROP PRODUCTION REPORT 08/11/00
http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/reports/nassr/field/pcp-bb/2000/
USDA RELEASES WORLD AG SUPPLY & DEMAND ESTIMATES 08/11/00
Text Format: http://www.usda.gov/oce/waob/wasde/latest
Adobe PDF format: http://www.usda.gov/agency/oce/waob/wasde/wasde.htm
USDA SUPPLY AND DEMAND REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
http://www.agweb.com/news/news.cfm?id=10055&breakingnews =1
USDA RELEASES EXPORT SALES REPORT 08/10/00
http://www.fas.usda.gov/export-sales/
DON'T FORGET TO MAKE WHEAT GUM DURING HARVEST
In the game of farming, it's easy to get lost in all the work and stress. This is
serious business that requires hard work, intelligence and attentiveness.
But at least once during harvest, it's important to make wheat gum. Take a handful of wheat and start chewing. After awhile the wheat will make a nice, satisfying gum, and you just saved yourself a quarter. Read more in the Farm and Ranch Guide at http://www.farmandranchguide.com/display/inn_letters/letters1.txt
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