9/22/03

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1.  Groups Asked to Opposed Thomas Dorr Re-confirmation 
2.  GAO Evaluates Costs of COOL 
3.  Invasive Species Impacts Increase 
4.  Cancun Retrospective - Editor's Note

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1.  GROUPS ASKED TO OPPOSE THOMAS DORR RE- CONFIRMATION 

When President Bush took office and nominated Thomas Dorr as the USDA Undersecretary of Rural Development, Washington was inundated with calls.  Far reaching, cross sector opposition to Dorr was instantaneous and key farm state Senators like Senator Tom Harkin took up the battle to keep his appointment from being confirmed.  Dorr's agribusiness ties and pro-corporate policies led rural advocates to dub him the "Poster Child" for corporate agribusiness and during the investigation, he raised the ire of Harkin who later said, ""I will lay out how Mr. Dorr has lied, he has cheated and how the department  (USDA) won't respond to me." (Des Moines Register)   In a congressional end-run, President Bush last year took advantage of an August Congressional recess to confirm.  That nomination is now set to expire with this fall's congressional recess if it is not approved by the full Senate.  The National Family Farm Coalition and other rural advocates are asking for your organizations help in opposing this nomination by having your group or organization sign on to a letter calling on Congress to allow that nomination to run out.  If you would like a copy of the letter for your group to review and sign on to, please contact Rebecca Kissenger.

2.  GAO EVALUATES COSTS OF COOL 

Efforts by livestock producers to achieve Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) legislation were defeated earlier this year when the Bush administration argued that the costs of the bill would be prohibitive.  Family farm advocates had lobbied passage of the legislation hoping to give consumers a choice in deciding where their food was produced.  On the heels of the defeat of COOL a General Accounting Office (GAO) investigation was ordered to determine the validity of the "prohibitive costs" claim.  That report is now out and supports the view that the USDA "overestimated" its first year cost and had no reason to make such arbitrary estimates.  The report also discusses the labeling programs of the world's largest trading partners along with current US state labeling programs.  Read the entire GAO report. 

3.  INVASIVE SPECIES IMPACTS INCREASE 

Hundreds, and possibly thousands, of foreign plants, animals and insects have immigrated to America with devastating effects on farmland, rivers, coastal waters and national parks.  Annual damage is estimated in the billions and the public is demanding more regulation, funding and unity from a fractured federal system that is often slow to act.  The U.S. General Accounting Office this month released a survey of state invasive species control officials that showed overwhelming opinion that the two biggest problems are lack of federal money and lack of legal mandates for controlling these pests.  Experts agree that pests often go unattended until they damage agriculture and other commercial interests, but they nevertheless have huge impacts on ecosystems. A GAO report last fall said many scientists believe these pests are contributing to declines of half the endangered species in the United States. Learn more.

4.  CANCUN RETROSPECTIVE - EDITORS NOTE 

Now that the latest round WTO negotiations in Cancun have failed new concerns linger on the horizon for farmers around the world. On one hand, farmers in developing countries who are harmed by the "overproduction" inherent in the agricultural systems of developed nations like the US, see the demise of the Cancun round as a victory.  On the other hand, the Cancun collapse will put increased pressure on US policy makers to eliminate or reduce subsidies at home.  Without significant structural US ag policy reform  that allows for the management of agricultural supply, the elimination of subsidies will be an economic death-blow to family producers and rural American economies and environments. Unfortunately, with corporate agribusiness determining farm policy, US policies will likely continue to favor overproduction.  It is a misguided position that pits farmers against farmers and will lead to increased tensions globally.  Get more information on suggested reforms in agricultural policy that can raise prices and eliminate subsides see the American Corn Growers. 

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Scotty Johnson and Aimee Delach
National Rural Community Outreach Campaign
sjohnson@defenders.org