We have received word today that Representative Stupak (D-MI), has withdrawn from consideration his amendment that would have required the National Forests to offer for sale the maximum quantity of timber allowable in every forest (Amendment 56). This amendment would have changed the "maximum allowable" into a target acreage and forced logging even in unfavorable ecological or market.

The House of Representatives commenced today at 10 A.M. to consider the Farm Bill. Amendment referenced in this summary can be found in PDF format by going to http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/retrcrpg.html and typing in H6138.

Representative Tierney (D-MA) offered an amendment that would require the National Academy of Sciences to prepare a report on genetically engineered foods, describing the types of tests, monitoring and regulation are necessary to evaluate the safety of these foods for human consumption (Amendment 61). This amendment was agreed to by a voice vote.

Rep. Pickering (R-MS) offered an amendment mandating that imported fish of the species Pangasius bocourti and related species cannot be sold as "catfish." This amendment passed by voice vote.

Rep. Holt (D-NJ) offered an amendment requiring the Department of Agriculture to establish a public education program regarding genetically engineered food (Amendment 29). The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Watkins (R-OK) offered an amendment to temporarily suspend foreclosure on borrowers who have failed to make a payment required under section 353(e) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (Amendment 65). This amendment was agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Andrews (D-NJ) offered an amendment to assistance for planning and implementation of the Repaupo Creek Tide Gate and Dike Restoration Project in the State of New Jersey (Amendment 3). The amendment was modified and agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Bereuter (R-NE) offered amendments to excluding from enrollment under Section 212a farmland that has not been in production for the past four years, authorizing additional funding and staff for the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, and making business and industry guaranteed loans for farmer-owned projects that add value to or process agricultural products (Amendments 4, 6, and 7). These amendments were agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Morella (R-MD) offered an amendment mandating USDA enforcement of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1958 (Amendment 45). The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Blumenauer (D-OR) offered an amendment prohibiting the interstate movement of animals for the purposes of animal fighting (Amendment 8). This amendment was agreed to by voice vote later in the day.

Rep. Bereuter (R-NE) offered an amendment proposing alternate loan rates under the flexible fallow program. Mr. Combest raised a point of order against the Bereuter amendment on the grounds that the amendment violates section 302(f) of the Budget Act. The Chair sustained the point of order.

Rep. Bluemenauer (D-OR) offered an amendment adding a section of penalties and foreign commerce provisions of the Animal Welfare Act (Amendment 9). This amendment was agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Sherwood (R-PA) offered an amendment to amend the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact (Amendment 49). This amendment was debated for about an hour.

Rep. Johnson (D-TX) offered an amendment to provide a grant program for biotechnology research with respect to the developing world (Amendment 32). This amendment was agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Boehlert (R-NY) offered an amendment to substitute the conservation title of H.R. 2646 with the Boehlert-Kind-Gilchrest-Dingell Amendment (Amendment 10). After three hours of debate, the amendment failed by a recorded vote, 200-226.

Rep. Conyers (D-MI) offered an amendment to ensure compilation and public disclosure of data on participation of minority limited resource, and women farmers and ranchers in programs of the Department (Amendment 16). The amendment was modified and agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Traficant (D-OH) offered an amendment, which as modified, directs the Secretary to submit to Congress an annual report on the amount of beef and pork that is imported into the United States each calendar year. (Amendment 1). The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Miller (R-CA) offered an amendment that would have diverted a portion of sugar subsidy money to a fund for Everglades restoration (Amendment 41). The amendment failed by recorded vote, 177-239.

Rep. Walsh (R-NY) offered an amendment directing the Secretary to complete a study on the effect of national dairy policy on farm profitability and stability, nutrition programs and retail prices (Amendment 63). The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Smith (R-MI) offered an amendment authorizing the Secretary to adjust expenditures to conform with the provisions of the Uruguay Round by reducing loan deficiency payments of producers who receive over $150,000 per year (Amendment 51). The amendment failed by voice vote.

Rep. Inslee (D-WA) offered an amendment modifying the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to assist farmers and ranchers for the assessment and development of their on-farm renewable resources, including biomass for the production of power and fuels, wind, and solar (Amendment 31). The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Dooley (D-CA) offered an amendment that would divert a portion of payments from fixed decoupled payments into grants under the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (Amendment 19). The amendment failed by voice vote.

Rep. Gilchrest (R-MD) offered an amendment to attach to the Conservation Title language establishing a Conservation Corridor Program (Amendment 23). This amendment was withdrawn.

Rep. Clayton (D-NC) offered an amendment that would divert a portion of payments from fixed decoupled payments into rural development projects (Amendment 15). That amendment was agreed to by recorded vote, 235-183.

Rep. Bono (R-CA) offered an amendment to require country-of-origin labeling on produce and perishable agricultural commodities (Amendment 11). The amendment was agreed to by recorded vote, 296-121.

Rep. Etheridge (D-NC) offered an amendment increasing the target price for peanuts to $500 per ton (Amendment 21). The amendment was withdrawn.

Rep. Johnson (D-TX) offered an amendment adding $25 million to child nutrition programs (Amendment 33). The amendment was withdrawn.

Rep Sanders (I-VT) offered an amendment establishing a national counter-cyclical income support program for dairy producers (Amendment 47). The proposal was amended twice but failed by a recorded vote, 194-224.

Rep. Ackerman (D-NY) offered an amendment requiring humane euthanization of non-ambulatory livestock for all facilities under the authority of GIPSA (Amendment 2). The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.

Rep. Kaptur (D-OH) offered an amendment to establish an agricultural biofuels energy reserve (Amendment 35). The amendment was modified and then withdrawn.