On November the 5th, Oregon residents failed to pass grassroots legislation that would have required labeling for foods containing genetically modified organisms. Proponents of the measure say the new legislation was defeated because of a $5 million dollar misinformation campaign funded by the food industry. 

According to the Supermarket Guru Newsflash (11-11-02) this multi-million dollar campaign against GMO labeling told voters "how this legislation would increase their own costs by $550 per year, how farmers may lose their livelihood, how supermarket managers would get boggled in red tape along with having Doctors reassure them that GMOs are safe." An independent study conducted at Oregon State University found " the consumer's costs would actually be between $3 and $10 a year; costs consistent with what has occurred in other countries with the same legislation."

2. FLORIDA VOTERS GIVE FACTORY HOG FARMS THE BOOT

On Tuesday, November 5th, Florida voters effectively curtailed the expansion of some factory farms into their state by approving a landmark measure outlawing the use of gestation crates for pregnant sows. Gestation crates are two foot wide metal enclosures where pregnant female pigs at factory farms are kept.

Factory farmed sows endure as many as ten pregnancies in gestation crates, which are so small the sows cannot turn around.

This important victory will prevent industrial hog factories that use gestation crates from ever moving into the state. The measure will have little or no effect on Florida's existing hog farmers, as no large-scale industrial operations are currently located in the state.

Instead, passage will prevent the harm to rural communities and to the environment that industrial hog operations bring with them. The ban is a boon to the state's wildlife, which is critically important because Florida is home to 117 species that are considered threatened, endangered, or of special concern, the third highest concentration of such species in any state.

3. NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST SHARE PROGRAM

According to the November 1, 2002 federal register, "The Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) has allocated $5 million to the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program. This program provides financial assistance to organic crop or livestock producers and handlers "to become certified under the National Organic Standards program." 

The money will be available to "all interested states" but states must apply before the December 31, 2002 deadline to become eligible. Once eligible states can allocate up to $500 (or 75% of costs) to their individual producers to offset costs of certification. Contact your state agriculture department today and make sure they are beginning the application process.

States wanting to participate should contact Robert Pooler, Marketing Specialist - National Organic Program to obtain necessary applications and information. He can be reached at (202) 720-3252 or email bob.pooler@usda.gov Read the announcement from the federal registry. 

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest announced this week that he will resign from Congress on May 21, 2003. In a statement released November 12, Combest said, "There have been a number of events that have happened to Sharon and me in the last year that have made us realize how fragile life and health are. They certainly caused us to rearrange our priorities and we want to spend as much time together while we have our life and health." Combest, along with fellow Texan Charles Stenholm, was a major architect of he 2002 House Farm Bill. The likely successor to the committee chairmanship is Representative Bob Goodlatte of Virginia, who has indicated interest and has been endorsed by the committee's senior Republican, John Boehner, who already chairs another committee. A special election to fill Combest's seat is likely to occur next spring. Read more.

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