8/4/00

1. THE BUREAU OF NON-DISCLOSURE

Critics have long maintained Farm Bureau investments in agribusiness create unresolvable "conflicts of interest" with their farmer members. The question is repeatedly asked: how can the Farm Bureau and their leadership profit from the companies that sell to and buy from farmers and still represent the best interests of their farmer members? An example of this "conflict" is currently unfolding in Illinois where the Illinois Farm Bureau owns stock in the International Production Livestock Association (ILPA). ILPA is soliciting growers "contracts" for livestock production. These "contracts" lock in a producers livestock and supposedly guarantee price and sales for the term of the contract. An Illinois farmer, who shall remain anonymous, reported they are demanding a non disclosure contract which means, "I can’t discuss with anyone, my wife or my priest, any fact, figures or any details of these contracts." Ron Warfield, the president of the Illinois Farm Bureau (and several related insurance companies) recently testified before the Senate Agricultural Committee that Farm Bureau "supports open and transparent markets." (Actions speak much louder than words.)

2. REWARDING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FARMING

The USDA’s Economic Research Service reported (May 22, 2000) that "Interest is growing in broadening the array of government programs that would improve the environmental performance of agriculture and at the same time provide income support to agricultural producers. Government agri-environmental payments programs compensate producers for maintaining beneficial impacts of agriculture or mitigating adverse environmental impacts. Senator Harkin (D-IA) is proving a leader in this arena. He is currently crafting the Conservation Security Act. This legislation, targeted for submission in September, creates a menu of economic incentives for farmers who wish to produce food in ways that are more beneficial for the land and the environment.

3. NOVARTIS, FARM BUREAU AND ATRAZINE

The American Farm Bureau web page reports Novartis, the multi-national corporate manufacturer of pesticides and herbicides is criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency classification of Atrazine as "cancer" causing. The Farm Bureau, who is currently in a joint venture with Novartis to sell the herbicide, is quick to claim that the "best science" reveals Atrazine is "safe to human health and the environment." (Farm Bureau web 2000). They base their arguments of "best science" on information revealed at a recent symposium sponsored by non other than Novartis. Other independent studies have demonstrated that female laboratory rats were found to be susceptible to mammary tumors after being exposed to high doses of Atrazine.

4. PESTICIDES AND FARMER CANCER RATES

American farmers have higher rates of several malignant forms of cancer, including Hodgkin’s, leukemia, and prostate cancer states the National Cancer Institute. In an article appearing in the Alternative Medicine Digest (Issue 9) the National Cancer Institute says this cancer is presumably "due to their steady exposure to agricultural pesticides." The Medical Digest adds, "Other causes include drinking water contaminated with fertilizer runoff and inhalation of fumigants.