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Here Cropchoice presents an assortment of interesting farm news releases from a variety of sources. You'll find mention of many of these stories in Cropchoice news. Listing here does not imply endorsement by Cropchoice. 2004  OctoberSeptemberAugustJulyJuneMayAprilMarchFebruaryJanuary2003 DecemberNovemberOctoberSeptemberAugustJulyJuneMayAprilMarchFebruary 2003
Authored By: Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology What - The Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology will host a policy dialogue to engage American thought leaders on the potential U.S. suit in the World Trade Organization against Europe over genetically modified crops. The dialogue will focus on the pros and cons of launching the trade case, how the trade issue has touched other regions, such as Africa, as well as the cultural context of the disagreement. The dialogue will also ask experts to examine the economic and foreign policy ramifications over this trans-Atlantic food fight. Authored By: Organic Materials Review Institute Authored By: American Corn Growers Association WASHINGTON – Feb. 13, 2003–Keith Dittrich, president of the American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) and a corn farmer from Tilden, Neb., commended leadership in the Congress for inclusion of over $3 billion in emergency relief for the nation’s farmers and ranchers hard hit by drought and other natural disasters as part of the conference agreement on the omnibus appropriations spending bill. He also expressed his organization’s concerns with the measure, calling it inadequate, inequitable, and insensitive, but still a major win for farmers. Authored By: National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Sustainable Agriculture Coalition today applauded Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Ted Stevens and Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Thad Cochran for their commitment to restore full funding to the Conservation Security Program in a supplemental appropriations bill later this year. The commitment was made in a colloquy with Senator Tom Harkin during floor consideration of the FY 03 omnibus appropriations bill last night. Authored By: National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture Pine Bush, NY - Last night Congress passed a $397 billion spending bill that included a last-minute rider allowing an exemption to the requirement that organic livestock be fed 100% organic feed. Authored By: Pew Initiative on Food and Agriculture Authored By: California Certified Organic Farmers Authored By: National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture Authored By: Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll, P.L.L.C CHICAGO, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement is being issued by Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll, P.L.L.C.; Milberg Weiss Bershad Hynes & Lerach LLP; Seeger Weiss LLP; and Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP regarding a proposed class action settlement In Re StarLink Corn Products Liability Litigation: SUMMARY SETTLEMENT NOTICE IN RE STARLINK CORN PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION This Document Relates To: ALL NON-STARLINK FARMER ACTIONS
MDL Docket No. 1403 IF YOU GREW OR HARVESTED NON-STARLINK CORN DURING ANY YEAR SINCE 1998, YOU SHOULD READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY. YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO A RECOVERY FROM THE PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF THE ABOVE LISTED LAWSUIT AND YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED. This notice is only a summary of the Settlement. Call 1 (888) 833-4317, visit http://www.non-starlinkfarmerssettlement.com/ or write to the Claims Administrator to learn more about this Settlement.
Authored By: National Farmers Union WASHINGTON (Feb. 13, 2003) – National Farmers Union voiced its full support of the landmark Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) introduced today by Sens. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and Richard Lugar, R-Ind. Authored By: Dupont and StatOil WILMINGTON, Del., and STAVANGER, Norway, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DuPont Bio-Based Materials and Statoil today announced they have signed an agreement to form a joint venture to further develop the business involving the world's only methane-based fermentation production facility. Terms were not disclosed. Authored By: Iowa Farm Bureau Authored By: National Corn Growers Association ST. LOUIS, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and Divergence, Inc. today announced a research collaboration focused on the control of parasitic nematodes (roundworms) that plague corn and many other crops. Authored By: Monsanto Authored By: Grocery Manufacturers of America WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In comments filed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today, the Grocery Manufacturers of America said plant-made pharmaceuticals (PMPs) require stringent new regulations to ensure continued consumer confidence in the absolute safety of the U.S. food supply. Authored By: National Food Processors Association WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In comments filed today with the Food and Drug Administration, the National Food Processors Association (NFPA) strongly urged that there be no use of food or feed crops to produce plant- made pharmaceuticals (PMPs) or industrial chemicals "without a 100% guarantee against any contamination of the food or feed supply." Authored By: Occidental Arts and Ecology Center Authored By: Power Shift Mark von Topel and Philip D. Radford, 2003. Over 40% of average American homeowners can save money month-to-month by retrofitting their home with solar panels and energy efficiency improvements using an Energy Improvement Mortgage. These investments help homeowners by reducing the amount of electricity that they purchases by over 30%, increase the value of homes by $20 for every dollar that is saved and save consumers money immediately. Banks that offer these mortgages can make 10% more in profit on each mortgage. Authored By: National Farmers Union Authored By: House Agriculture Committee WASHINGTON, D.C: - In a meeting this week with European Union (EU) Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte pressed the EU to drop their moratorium on the importation of genetically enhanced foods. He cautioned though, that the moratorium should not be replaced with new regulations on traceability and labeling, which Goodlatte says are unworkable, costly and do not improve food safety. Goodlatte and Lamy met at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. Authored By: Occidental Arts and Ecology Center Authored By: Western Organization of Resource Councils The Federal 8th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear an appeal of a suit by the Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC) and the Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) challenging the constitutionality of the beef checkoff on March 10. Oral arguments before a three-judge panel are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., in St. Paul, Minnesota. The principal issue raised on appeal by the Cattlemen's Beef Board and an intervenor, Nebraska Cattlemen, Inc., is their argument that the checkoff program constitutes government speech, and is therefore not subject to First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech. The defendants are appealing the June, 2002 decision by South Dakota Federal District Court Judge Charles Kornmann. Kornmann, agreeing with WORC and LMA, ruled the checkoff was "unconstitutional and unenforceable." "The question here is essentially whether the government is the speaker or whether the government has instead permitted a private entity to promote its own program and agenda," the District Court said in rejecting the defendants' government-speech argument. "Congress cannot legislatively extend the power to a private group to abridge First Amendment rights." In addition to the beef checkoff appeal on March 10th, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit will hear oral arguments in a challenge to the constitutionality of the pork checkoff in Cincinnati, Ohio on March 14th. ### WORC is a network of grassroots organizations from seven states that include 8,250 members and 46 local community groups. Authored By: National Farmers Union WASHINGTON (Feb. 21, 2003) – National Farmers Union President Dave Frederickson told USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum participants Thursday that the United States must address the increased consolidation and globalization of agricultural markets if it is to compete in the 21st century. Authored By: Whole Foods Market Authored By: Western Organization of Resource Councils FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandy Hinkle: 406-252-9672 The United States Department of Agriculture overestimated the costs of labeling food by its country of origin because it misread guidelines for making the estimate, the Western Organization of Resource Councils (WORC) said in comments submitted last Friday. The group of farmers, ranchers and consumers said the government should withdraw its estimate of the cost of country of origin labeling and publicize the withdrawal "to mitigate the spread of misinformation and misleading reports" that have followed publication of USDA's estimate. "Consumers have a right to know where their food comes from, and farmers and ranchers want to meet U.S. consumers' preference for food raised in the U.S.," said Mabel Dobbs, a rancher from Weiser, Idaho, who chairs WORC's Livestock Committee. "The United States Department of Agriculture is playing into the hands of opponents of the new country of origin labeling program who want to scare producers and consumers with inflated cost estimates," Dobbs said. Congress adopted a new law earlier this year requiring that fresh meat, fish and produce be labeled by country of origin in grocery stores beginning in September 2004. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is writing regulations to implement the program. Last November, USDA estimated the cost of record-keeping by farmers, ranchers, food processors and retailers needed for the program at $2 billion. Dobbs submitted comments for WORC on USDA's estimate of the cost. "Instead of looking to the known costs of labeling in other countries, under existing programs, and in states like Florida that already require labeling, USDA seems to have pulled these numbers out of thin air," Dobbs said. "USDA estimated I'd have to pay someone $25 an hour for hours and hours of work to comply with this law. I don't pay myself that much, and I can tell you it isn't going to take me a minute to comply with this law. We already keep all the records we need to tell anyone who wants to know where our cows were born and raised." "USDA added up a bunch of unsupported assumptions about costs. They double-counted, including costs that the government's own guidelines say should not be counted," Dobbs said. "These numbers are so imaginary they would embarrass Enron's accountants." Authored By: Organization for Competitive Markets Authored By: U.S. Department of Agriculture Authored By: Organization for Competitive Markets Authored By: National Farmers Union Authored By: Organic Valley MONTPELIER, Vt., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Genetic engineering compromises farmers' freedom to farm, said Travis Forgues, a member of the Organic Valley cooperative's Vermont pool who, together with his wife, children and parents, operates an 80-cow certified organic dairy on 160 acres in Alburg, Vermont. Speaking at a State House press conference with members of Rural Vermont, Forgues said "Genetic Engineering takes the freedom away from people to farm the way they choose. I can't control drift from neighbors four miles away. Due to the travel of pollen, I can't guarantee that I'm growing what I planted. Genetically altered corn will have ended up in my crop, changed the structure of what I planted, and altered the product." The Forgues Farm has been certified organic for five years, and since becoming organic has never grown corn or soybeans. Explained Forgues, "With the higher costs of grain inputs, due to organic practices, many people have suggested that I grow a few acres of corn and some soybeans. Though I agree with them that it makes financial sense, I cannot take that step because of the drift problem." Forgues noted that Vermont farmers want a fair price for their produce and less restrictions on how they farm, especially as the face of agriculture in the state becomes more bleak. "Farmers should have the right to farm in a particular way, on their own farms as long as we aren't compromising the health of others, the safety of our land, or impeding the rights of others to do the same thing on their farms," emphasized Forgues. Noting that the health consequences and ecological issues related to GMO's are battles to be fought by others, Forgues concluded: "Should everyone be forced to have to have genetically altered crops? As an organic farmer, I stand against this. Organics is meant to work in harmony with nature, not to genetically change it to fit our purposes. Farming in this manner, is a choice our family has made. It's working for us and the 517 other members of our organic cooperative in 17 states nationwide." Strong consumer demand has prompted great growth for Organic Valley in New England, where the cooperative produces it own local milk "New England Pastures." In 2002, the co-op brought on 12 farms in Vermont and 10 in Maine, for a regional total of 61 organic farms; added 940 cows being raised organically for a regional total of 2,575 cows; and added 2,350 acres in organic production for a total of 6,525 acres in the region. Organized 15 years ago by a half dozen organic farmers, the Organic Valley cooperative today is made up of 518 organic farmers in 17 states. Last year it achieved record level sales ($125 million) and an average farmer pay price well above conventional rates. Stewards of the earth who use nature and the wisdom of generations of farm families as their teachers, Organic Valley farmers produce more than 130 delicious organic foods. Look for Organic Valley milk, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce, juice and meats in food cooperatives, natural foods stores and supermarkets throughout the country. For further information, contact Organic Valley, 507 West Main Street, LaFarge WI 54639, tel. (608) 625-2602, or visit http://www.organicvalley.com.
Authored By: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada TOKYO, Japan, February 13, 2003 – Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lyle Vanclief and International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew say a draft text to advance World Trade Organization (WTO) agriculture negotiations will certainly stimulate debate, as it was intended to do. However, the ministers agreed the proposals do not meet Canada's objectives. Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, India
Tel: 26561868 and 26562093. In a gross act of undue influence and corruption, the US Dept of Commerce has utilized the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to intervene in the workings of the GEAC (Genetic Engineering Approval Committee), the government regulatory body that clears all decisions to import and release GMOs (Genetically engineered organisms) in India. The GEAC had rejected the import of a 10,000 tonne corn-soya blend shipment by CARE INDIA and Catholic Relief Services as food aid in November 2002 because it was suspected to be contaminated with Bt corn, Starlink, which has not been approved for human consumption since it causes allergies. It has only been approved for feeding cattle. All foods contaminated with Starlink had to be withdrawn from US supermarkets in the year 2000. In November 2002, the US government quarantined to destroy thousands of bushels of soyabean after inspectors found evidence that the crops were mixed with a small amount of genetically engineered corn. Most countries of the world do not allow any GM food imports including China, Japan, Europe. The US has tried its best to force African countries to import GM corn as food aid, but countries like Zambia have insisted on GM-free food aid to protect the health of their citizens and the livelihood of their farmers. While the normal functioning of the regulatory authorities have also rejected GM food imports, the US government and the PMO are corrupting the independent functioning of agencies aimed to protect the environment and public health. The PMO is trying to influence the GEAC to hold a special meeting for USAID representatives. The corn-soya blend imports by NGO agencies CARE and CRS is primarily financed by USAID. Food aid is becoming the biggest market mechanism for GM foods from the US which have been rejected elsewhere. The undue pressure to import GM corn is not just promoting the dumping of hazardous products that cannot be sold through free markets, the fact that this corn could be contaminated with the Bt Starlink corn amounts to feeding our children and nursing mothers a toxic cattle feed. The National Alliance of Women for Food Rights, a network of all women’s organizations working on women and children’s food rights, condemns the US government attempt to corrupt India’s regulatory system, condemns the PMO for misusing its power to serve US commercial interests at the cost of the public health of Indian citizens, especially vulnerable women and children. On 21st February 2003 the National Alliance renewed its Campaign on No GM Food Aid which had played an active role in highlighting the dumping of GM corn soya blend after the Orissa Supercyclone in 1999. Analysis carried out by the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology had shown the presence of GM corn in the corn-soya blend being given as food aid from the US to the victims of the cyclone. At a recent meeting of nutritionists, experts have raised concern about the safety of GM foods. Independent scientific assessments and regulatory systems need to evolve without political and commercial interference. The corporate corruption of the scientific data is evident from the fact that even though all independent studies in India showed the failure of Bt cotton in its first year of commercial planting in 2002, an attempt has been made to use US scientists talking about commercial success of Bt cotton using corporate data of the Monsanto/Mahyco trials from 2001, thus misleading the public and the scientific community.
The National Alliance of Women for Food Rights demands that
For further information, contact Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology
Tel: 26561868 and 26562093. Authored By: American Corn Growers Association WASHINGTON – Feb. 20, 2003–The American Corn Growers Association (ACGA) has endorsed the Fuels Security Act of 2003 (S 385), introduced last week in the U.S. Senate by Senators Thomas Daschle, D-S.D., and Richard Lugar, R-Ind. ACGA President Keith Dittrich, a corn farmer from Tilden, Neb., commended Senators Daschle, Lugar and the other 14 cosponsors of the bipartisan initiative for their action. “As the debate on energy moves forward in the U.S. Senate, we believe one of the goals of energy independence should be to promote the production of renewable domestic fuels. We believe an extraordinary opportunity is at hand to increase energy independence, reduce oil imports, improve our environment and stimulate rural economies.” The new legislation mirrors a measure passed last year in the Senate. It will establish a Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), which will capitalize on the nation’s growing bio-fuel industry, expanding the use of these domestic, “home-grown” fuels to 5 billion gallons per year by 2012. “ACGA fully understands that the initiatives in this bill will greatly benefit America’s farm families,” said Dittrich. “Requirements for a portion of the nation’s motor fuel to come from domestic, renewable bio-based sources will make this nation less dependent on imported oil and will give additional market opportunities and flexibility to farmers of corn, soybeans, and other crops.” Other cosponsors of the bill include Senators Hagel, R-Neb., Johnson, D-S.D., Dorgan, D-N.D., Voinovich, R-Ohio, Conrad, D-N.D., Nelson, D-Neb., Bond, R-Mo., Harkin, D-Iowa, Grassley, R-Iowa, Durbin, D-Ill., Talent, R-Mo., Dayton, D-Minn., Coleman, R-Minn., and Fitzgerald, R-Ill. The American Corn Growers Association represents 14,000 members in 35 states. See www.acga.org . Authored By: Food and Agriculture Organization 18 February 2003, Rome -- The promises and potential of biotechnology are not equally shared between developed and developing countries, the FAO Assistant Director-General, Louise Fresco, said in a statement issued today. Authored By: just-food.com Authored By: UK Food Standards Agency A quarter of consumers still believe that food labels contain too little information, the Food Standards Agency's third Consumer Attitudes to Food survey has found. Authored By: DuPont PR via NewsEdge Corporation: DENVER, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Clothing from cornfields? DuPont (NYSE: DD) scientists have recently developed an innovative bio-based method that uses corn -- instead of conventional petroleum-based processes -- to produce the latest polymer platform for use in clothing, carpets and automobile interiors. Authored By: Organic Valley January2002 DecemberNovemberOctoberSeptemberAugustJulyJuneAprilFebruaryJanuary2001 DecemberAugustJulyJuneMayAprilFebruary2000 SeptemberSeptember |
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