1. NEW DIRECTION IN FARM POLICY

In a landmark step towards crafting farm policy that works for farmers and the Earth, Senator Harkin (D-IA) and Representative David Minge (D-MN) have introduced the Conservation Security Act (CSA). The CSA, developed jointly by farmers, ranchers and environmentalists, emphasizes economic support for sustainable agricultural practices. Among other important aspects the bill recognizes that "in addition to producing food and fiber, agricultural producers can contribute to the public good by providing improved soil productivity, clean air and water, wildlife habitat, landscape and recreational amenities." The pending legislation would provide producers with graduated payments, up to $50,000 annually, for implementing and maintaining conservation. The program is completely voluntary and producers would select from a menu of conservation practices Rural Updates believes it a positive step that taxpayer funded farm subsidies begin to support the "public good" rather than the "corporate privileged." We will continue to update on the content and progress of this legislation. The Senate bill is S 3223 and can be viewed on "Thomas" (Federal site) at http://thomas.loc.gov/ (Then: type in bill number)

2. INSECTICIDE WITHDRAWN

In a development that will help protect farmers and wildlife, chemical manufacturer "Cheminova" decided to voluntarily cancel all uses of its insecticide ethyl parathion (trade names: Parathion, Folidol). The announcement came Friday after a strong public reaction pressured the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Chiminova to end all uses of this highly toxic insecticide. Ethyl parathion is generally viewed as one of the most toxic pesticides in use and responsible for heavy fatalities in wildlife, domestic animals and even humans where applicators have mishandled the treatment. According to a press release by the American Bird Conservancy, "The withdrawal, effective immediately, will still permit use of the chemical until stocks are used up because disposal of large volumes is highly hazardous. However, no new chemicals will be manufactured and all US applications must cease by October 31, 2003."

3. BIO-TECH CORN SAGA GOES GLOBAL

Weeks ago consumers in America were shocked when traces of a bio-engineered corn not approved for human consumption was found in Taco Bell Taco Shells. Since, then traces of the BT-Corn by Aventis (product name: Starlink) have shown up in other American consumer products. Now Japanese consumers are outraged as well. According to the New York Times (Wednesday, Oct. 25) The Consumers Union of Japan said today that it has found traces of a controversial genetically modified corn from the United States in snack foods and animal feed sold here." The paper continued saying "The results of the union's tests are likely to kick off a firestorm of protest here, where opposition to genetically modified foods is especially strong." Apparently, officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and two groups representing American Grain Producers are headed to Tokyo to attempt damage control.

In a heated controversy that is rapidly going global, the Times reported, "The Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare called an urgent meeting this morning to determine how it should respond to the consumer group's revelations." See the full story at: http://nytimes.com.

4. NEW FB PRESIDENT CALLS MOVEMENT "ANTI-FREEDOM"

New Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman appears to be following closely in the rhetorical footsteps of his predecessor Dean Kleckner regarding international trade. In a recent article on the Farm Bureau web page, Stallman says there is 'a growing crowd of people with diverse agendas that seeks to throttle capitalism, bar the borders to international trade, do whatever it takes to isolate us from the rest of the world. " He refers to these people as the "anti globalization, anti-progress, anti-freedom movement." While Stallman was reported to be a new type of Farm Bureau leader, with a style less given less to a simplistic "us vs. them" mentality, his inflammatory rhetoric appears here to closely match that of the ousted president Kleckner. Apparently Stallman, like Kleckner, is more interested in propagating conspiracy theories and pointing fingers than addressing the very real problems farmers, labor and the environment face as a result of corporate driven trade globalization. The entire article can be viewed at: http://www.fb.com.

To learn more about the Farm Bureau's ties to corporate agribusiness, go to: http://www.familyfarmer.org/sections/meet.html.

If you would like to sign on to a call for an investigation into the leadership of the American Farm Bureau go to: http://www.defenders.org/rural3.htm.