| Rural Community Updates!
August 13, 1999 Providing key information on recent developments in rural America, including up-dates on the Farm Bureau, and salient issues converging around water quality, farm sustainability and the protection of biodiversity. ************************************************************************ 1. FARM BUREAU DISSENT 2. WETLANDS SCANDAL CONTINUES 3. FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT INSULTS EUROPEANS 4. DEFENDERS SUPPORTS STEWARDSHIP INCENTIVES ************************************************************************* GREEN GrassRoots Environmental Effectiveness Network is a project of Defenders of Wildlife designed to serve GrassRoots wildlife and wilderness advocates. GREEN policy positions do not necessarily represent those of Defenders of Wildlife. If you would like to subscribe to this list, send a reply to sjohnson@albq.defenders.org. ************************************************************************* 1. FARM BUREAU DISSENT The Hutchinson news reported last week that Kansas Farm Bureau President Gary Hall was in South Hutchinson Wednesday morning to update members and local farm leaders on the Farm Bureau’s efforts in Washington. The Farm Bureau, proud of their "grass- roots" democracy, kept the meeting closed to the press. The Hutchinson News reported the reason given was because there was "expected dissent from some of those present." After the meeting, the newspaper contacted members who "refused to comment on what was discussed at the meeting."Local farmers have spoken against the proliferation of pig-factories in the area. In addition to fish kills and water pollution, industrial hog feedlots undercut markets for family producers. US Department of Agriculture statistics show that 86,520 hog producers went out of business between 1993 and 1997. The majority of these farmers raised fewer that 500 pigs a year. The Farm Bureau, who continues to claim they represent the interests of America’s family farmers, is heavily invested in industrial pork operations at the production and packing levels. Through their insurance companies and controlling interests in CO-OP’s, they profit handsomely from an industry that is pushing independent producers into extinction.2. WETLANDS SCANDAL CONTINUES In a recent scandal involving the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and wetlands "de-classification" a lawsuit has been filed by Earthlaw. The suit charges that the NRCS acted improperly and violated a federal Memorandum of Agreement. Filing the suit on behalf of the South Dakota Resources Council, Earthlaw says that the NRCS State Conservationist in South Dakota, Dean Fischer, violated an understanding between NRCS and other government agencies. The suit alleges the Memorandum of Agreement required the NRCS consult the US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) and other federal agencies before de-classification. Fischer reportedly disregarded the agreement and changed classification without any peer review. Local hunting and fishing TV personality, Tony Dean, who has been investigating the incident, claims pressure from "big-ag" was responsible. He reports that NRCS national chief Pearlie Reed was the guest of honor at a Farm Bureau function in South Dakota where he was acclaimed for his wetlands efforts. Investigations are pending in the Office of Investigator Generals within the Environmental Protection Agency and the NRCS. Critics say the NRCS is much too susceptible to influence peddling to be given any regulatory authority over environmental regulations. Dean’s article can be viewed at http://www.tonydean.com/98/990703issues.html.3. FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT INSULTS EUROPEAN CONSUMERS American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Dean Kleckner, in an editorial promoting genetically manipulated organisms (GMO’s), recently denounced European consumer resistance to GMO’s. Kleckner said of the Europeans, "Even though these are the same people who invented animal rights and environmental terrorism, their opposition to biotechnology is curious." He went on to insult them further by European consumers have an apt name for GMO’s - Frankenstein Foods. Especially "when you remember that the story (Frankenstein) is as fictional as Europe's pseudo-science." While it is interesting to note the Swiss company Novartis - one of the largest chemical, biotech companies in the world sponsored a posh reception at the Farm Bureau’s recent annual convention, it is unlikely Kleckner’s comments will endear him to the European representatives when he attends the agricultural portion of the upcoming World Trade Organization talks in Seattle. The editorial can be viewed at http://www.fb.com/views/prescol/99/pres0899.html. 4. DEFENDERS SUPPORTS STEWARDSHIP INCENTIVES Defenders of Wildlife 7/20 issued a press release praising the recent introduction of the Species Conservation Tax Act of 1999 (S.1392) by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT). The bill contains four provisions giving tax relief to landowners who place conservation easements on their land or take measures to protect threatened and endangered species. Defenders' Mike Senatore said, "Landowners receive tax breaks for being good land stewards and our nation's threatened and endangered species benefit from improved habitat." ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Scotty Johnson |