1. FARM BILL CONFERENCE -- AN END IN SIGHT?

Don't take our word for it, but some Farm Bill observers are observing that Farm Bill conferees may have reached a final agreement. This was announced today, and just as a collective sigh began forming, it was announced that the agreement was really a "framework" for agreement. Translated this means that while certain sticking points have not been worked out (See EQIP story below) some things have apparently been decided. Here are the latest "details" regarding this "framework": No packer ban; a modified country-of-origin labeling; payment limitations of $360,000 total (divided evenly between spouses); Conservation Security Program funded at $2B over 6 years, with capped spending; Wetland Reserve Program:1.35 million acres over ten years; Conservation Reserve Program: 39.2 million acres over 10 years; Farmland Protection Program: $1B over ten years, and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program: $780M over ten years. New programs include the Grassland Reserve Program: 2 million acres with easements and the Water Conservation Program: $200M.

2. EQIP FUNDS HEADED TO BIG PIG, CHICKEN AND BEEF?

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was initially set up to assist small livestock producers implement conservation practices. In a classic case of green-washing, agribusiness heralded their pseudo-stewardship by announcing they were backing huge increases in this funding. Then, as Farm Bill negotiations proceeded, they slipped in a minor detail; the "caps" that used to limit payment amounts and keep the money from being pilfered by the factory farmers, would be lifted opening the money flood gates to the likes of Simthfield and other corporate factory farmers. The status of these "caps" in these final hours of negotiations is unclear. While total funding for EQIP remains very high (a whopping 11 billion over ten years) there is discussion an ambiguous "cap" in the offing.

A late breaking action alert from the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, called the proposed $50,000 cap "phony" asking people to contact Senator Daschle and tell him to "plug the loophole' in EQIP that will allow "the biggest corporate livestock operations to receive that amount through multiple corporations and at an unlimited number of sites." While the alert said this would be decided today (Friday) even a late call to Sen. Daschle wouldn't hurt. Reach his office at: (202) 224-2321

3. OHIO'S WATERWAYS GET AN EARTH DAY PRESENT

This Monday, April 22, was the 32nd anniversary of Earth Day, and Ohio's waterways have something to celebrate: the state's Environmental Protection Agency has proposed to revoke the wastewater permits of perennial polluter Buckeye Egg Farms.

Recently discovered manure-related fly problems and an unauthorized discharge of stormwater, the latest in a long string of compliance problems, finally prompted the agency to take this action. Ohio EPA Director Christopher Jones stated, "For years, citizens and the environment have suffered as a result of the company's poor management and broken promises. The State has penalized Buckeye Egg Farm for violations and secured commitments from the company to make changes, yet the company continues to demonstrate it is not capable of operating in compliance." The proposed action, which takes effect May 23, 2002, the company will have 180 days to close its 125 barns in the state and remove 15.5 million chickens and their associated manure. However, the company may extend its permits by requesting anappeal. For more info, please visit http://www.epa.state.oh.us/pic/nr/2002/april/befrevok.html

4. FSA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON CRP and CREP

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced on April 18 that it will hold a series of public meetings across the country to solicit comments on the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. The comment process is part of a comprehensive review of these programs that the agency is undertaking in anticipation of provisions in the new Farm Bill, and comments will be incorporated into a draft environmental impact statement on the two programs. The six meetings will take place in Wye Mills, MD, Mobile, AL, Amarillo, TX, Portland, OR, Lawrence, KS, and Moorehead, MN. Comments are also being accepted by mail, email and phone. For more information on the public meetings and how to comment, please visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/FullStory.asp?StoryID=679

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