1. GRASSROOTS ARE MOBILIZING AGAINST FAST TRACK

President Bush has publicly announced that he is asking Congress to delegate him presidential "Fast Track" trade authority. Among other things, "Fast Track", which the President is calling "Trade Promotion Authority" gives the White House the right to sign trade agreements BEFORE Congress even votes on it. Many see this as a dangerous imbalance of governmental powers that will hurt farmers, workers and the environment. President Clinton was soundly defeated when he attempted to pass "Fast Track" during his administration. Now a broad coalition of groups are gearing up to oppose President Bush's new attempts. Farmers, workers, environmentalists, consumer advocates, and people of faith are organizing a campaign in hundreds of Congressional districts across the nation. 

You can join in with these efforts! We need the voices of rural America to be heard in the meetings with Members of Congress, through letters to the Editor, at news conferences, and by picking up the phone and calling Congress. 

Send us an e- mail with the word "Fast Track" in the SUBJECT line. Include your contact information (address, phone number and zip code) and we will plug you in to local events.

2. NEW DATE FOR CONSERVATION SECURITY ACT INTRO

Due to scheduling conflicts the date for introduction of the Conservation Security Act (CSA) and the related press conference have been delayed until May 22, 2001. Thanks to your hard work, the list of Co-sponsors has mushroomed to fifteen since word about this effort began last week.

This delay will allow us to continue to put pressure on legislators to sponsor this important piece of legislation. Call today! Be sure to tell your representatives that the CSA funding is being sought in addition to, not instead of existing farm conservation programs such as WRP (Wetlands Reserve Program) and WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program) Current sponsors in the Senate are: Harkin (D-IA), Smith (R-OR), Daschle (D-SD), Schumer (D-NY), Leahy (D-VT), Dorgan (D-ND), Dayton (D-MN), Johnson (D-SD), Carnahan (D-MO). In the House: Thune (R-SD), Kaptur (D-OH), Hinchey (D-NY), Oberstar (D-MN), Boswell (D-IA), Baldwin (D-WI), Wynn (D-MD) There are promising signs but no definite word yet from: Emerson (R-MO), Osborne (R-NE), Gilchrest (R-MD), and several other House Republicans. 

3. FARM BUREAU'S ASSAULT ON LEGAL AID

According to an on-line article at TomPaine.com the Farm Bureau has been working to eliminate the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) since the 1960s. The LSC, which funds legal representation for low-income farmers and workers, first felt the power of the "Bureau" when the California Farm Bureau tried to convince then-Governor Ronald Reagan to end California Rural Legal Assistance. Later in 1980, the Farm Bureau tried to pressure the Federal House Judiciary Committee to end funding for the LSC nationally. According to TomPaine.com in 1998, the Farm Bureau proposed extreme restrictions to the LSC, and finally succeeded in 1996 in having federal funding for LSC slashed. Who got hurt by the Farm Bureau's relentless and eventually successful campaign? First and foremost, it was the family farmers who used legal aid lawyers for negotiating with contractors, creditors, insurance companies and the federal regulators. The other people hurt are the migrant workers facing wage inequities, dangerous work conditions, or physical violence. Who were the winners in these calculated maneuvers? Corporate farms that employ large numbers of migrant workers, agribusiness contractors and creditors and of course, insurance companies.

To read the entire report on line go to http://tompaine.com/print.php3?id=2082

4. BIOTECH: ROUNDUP READY FOR TROUBLE

A report released May 3 by Dr. Charles Benbrook of the Northwest Science and Environmental Policy Center disputes the conventional industry-line about genetically modified "Roundup Ready" soybeans. Benbrook found that, contrary to Monsanto's claims, field data provided by the USDA clearly shows that, "Total herbicide use on RR soybeans in 1998 was 30 percent or more greater on average than conventional varieties in six states," and higher overall in 10 of the 16 states surveyed. Benbrook's study shows that not only is heightened use "undermining the efficacy of Roundup," as weed resistance increases, but also shows that Roundup Ready soybean yields are lower than conventional soybeans, particularly during drought. Benbrook concludes that such biotech reliance and the possibility of unintended consequences have combined to make the Roundup Ready soybean and similar products a risky proposition for farmers. http://www.biotech-info.net/troubledtimes.html