US to Short-Change Consumers to Help Big-Ag

NASDA Offers Solution to Crisis Facing Dairy, Pork, and Poultry Producers

American farmers and producers providing critical food assistance to fellow struggling Americans

Washington, DC - The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) this week released a proposal to address the critical economic situation of American dairy, pork, and poultry producers, while simultaneously providing much-needed nutritional assistance to Americans facing hunger due to job loss and other economic hardships.

“Each and every day, we watch as producers in our states go out of business. The current oversupply in the marketplace is causing dairy, pork, and poultry producers to accumulate debt as never before,” said NASDA President Ed Kee. “I am pleased we came together as a national organization to offer a solution to assist our producers. At the same time, our plan will provide vital aid to those Americans also greatly affected by the economic downturn.”

To date, a number of potential solutions have been proposed to help these industries survive this economic downturn and gain a solid footing for the future. Individual producers, through no fault of their own, are going out of business. Before it is too late for many producers, NASDA is proposing a bold solution: a plan to take extra inventories off the market to reduce supply, all while providing vital nutritious, protein-rich foods to those who are unable to afford them, which is in more demand now than ever before. As of July 2009, there are nearly 36 million Americans currently participating in the nation’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – over a 23% increase from just a year ago.

Leonard Blackham, Utah Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, and leader of the NASDA working group, explained, “By removing these excess products off the market, and placing them into food assistance programs, we will quickly stabilize the prices for these products, allowing the producers to break-even, or perhaps even make a profit on their farms. Simultaneously, our fellow citizens struggling to put food on their table will find themselves with more opportunities for healthy, protein-rich meals.”

The NASDA plan would establish a tiered-purchase program for the dairy and pork industries, as well as a one-time purchase of turkey products. For dairy, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) would begin with a purchase 75 million pounds of cheese and additional dairy products, as determined by USDA. This would be done in three equal stages over a 120-day period, or until the target all-milk price of $16/cwt – the cost of production – is met.

To deal with the excess product in the pork sector, a purchase by USDA of cold storage inventories of pork would be implemented over a 180-day period, or until a target price of $49/cwt was realized. Each tier would consist of 100 million pounds of pork products. USDA would also make a one-time purchase of 100 million pounds of turkey products.

“To ensure these products reach those who truly need it, the aid will be distributed through food assistance programs, which could include food banks, the school lunch program, and a SNAP-PLUS program, as well as foreign military food assistance in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Steve Troxler, North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture. “Under SNAP-PLUS, an additional allotment to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), at an amount to be determined, would be allocated for beneficiaries of the program to purchase meat and dairy products at private grocers. Using the system currently utilized across the nation, participants would be given separate electronic benefits transfer cards to spend solely on these products.”

Through product purchases to reduce the oversupply on the market, NASDA’s proposal will help farmers and producers recover from severe economic hardships. At the same time, the proposal will help put much needed food on the tables of the countless American families struggling to make ends meet. NASDA calls upon Congressional leaders and Administration officials to step up to the plate and take the Meat the Need proposal into consideration to improve the lives of millions of Americans.

NASDA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association that represents the commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the state departments of agriculture in all fifty states and four U.S. territories. As regulators of significant aspects of our nation’s agriculture industry, NASDA members are actively involved in ensuring the safety of an abundant food supply, protection of animal and plant health, stewardship of our environment, and promoting the vitality of our rural communities.

…

Diagnosing and Mis-Diagnosing CJD

November 17, 2009 in Features
Dr. Gott: Rare, degenerative brain disease is fatal
Peter H. Gott, M.D. The Spokesman-Review
Tags: advice Dr. Gott health syndicated columnists

DEAR DR. GOTT: In reading your column about the 72-year-old man with ALS, I have
some questions. My husband, also 72, was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease. The physicians were not positive but indicated he had the earmarks for
it. His death certificate lists the disease as the cause. The family anticipated
an autopsy after his death, but it was not allowed because the coroners refused
to do it due to the seriousness of the disease. Without the autopsy we are not
sure of the actual cause of death.

My husband's symptoms were very similar to the ones discussed in your article. I
particularly noticed the statement about a "gene mutation." My husband's doctors
mentioned a gene mutation.

He endured many tests. My entire family experienced an emotional roller coaster
daily due to physicians indicating medicines would be able to help him lead a
somewhat normal life. The disease progressed rapidly, leaving no time to arrange
things. He was not allowed to die with any degree of dignity. After his death it
was even worse due to the seriousness of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. No one
wanted to be involved.

DEAR READER: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a rare, degenerative brain disorder
that is always fatal. In the United States, there are about 200 cases a year. It
typically occurs later in life and progresses rapidly. Onset of symptoms usually
begins around age 60, with about 90 percent of sufferers dying within a year.

There are three categories of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. The first and rarest is
acquired, which is contracted by exposure to brain or nervous-system tissue,
usually through certain medical procedures. Since first being described in 1920,
less than 1 percent of cases have been acquired.

The next is hereditary, accounting for 5 to 10 percent of all cases. This is
diagnosed when the sufferer has a family history of the disease and/or tests
positive for a genetic mutation associated with it.

The final and most common category is sporadic. This variety accounts for at
least 85 percent of all cases. It occurs in people who have no known risk
factors, genetic mutations or family history for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Symptoms usually begin as problems with muscular coordination, impaired vision,
memory, judgment and thinking, personality changes and rapidly progressive
dementia. Many sufferers also experience depression, insomnia or unusual
sensations. As it progresses, mental impairment becomes severe. Most develop
involuntary muscle jerks and may go blind. Eventually, the ability to move and
speak is lost and the patient enters a coma.

Symptoms can be similar to those of other progressive neurological disorders but
there are unique changes in brain tissue that can be seen at autopsy. It also
typically causes a faster deterioration of abilities than other neurological
disorders.

There is no treatment at this time that can cure or control the disorder.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease cannot be transmitted through the air, by touch or
through most other forms of casual contact. This means that unless you have
direct contact with contaminated brain or nervous-system tissue or have a family
history or gene mutation, there is little chance of developing the condition.

I understand your concerns about not having a proper diagnosis and autopsy. I
also understand the coroners' concerns about performing the autopsy. Other more
qualified professionals, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
should have been called in to handle the situation.

If you want to learn more about this disease, go online to the National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (which is part of the National
Institutes of Health) where you can read and print out the Creutzfeldt-Jakob
disease fact sheet at www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/ cjd/detail_cjd.htm.

Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No
Flour, No Sugar Diet." Readers may write to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200
Madison Ave., Fourth Floor, New York, NY 10016.



http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/nov/17/rare-degenerative-brain-disease-is-\
fatal/

A Quest to Grow "Sustainable" Beef

November 4, 2009

Estancia Beef Furthers Commitment to Sustainable Grass Fed Beef, Hires Global Authority on Farm Assurance and Production Protocols
BusinessWire

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 04, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) - Estancia Beef, a leading U.S. retailer of grass-fed beef, today announced the appointment of Michelle Waterman to spearhead its European launch. Additionally, Waterman will assume responsibility for Estancia's farm assurance, production protocols and general codes of practice.

"Michelle is among the very most respected people in her field," said Bill Reed, Estancia's CEO. "She shares all of our core beliefs around prioritizing environmental, animal welfare, and human health concerns within our production standards."

Michelle started as an Animal Health Inspector for the UK government, which involved enforcement of UK legislation with respect to animal traceability, welfare and husbandry. She then began a long career with Tesco, the UK's biggest retailer, and was responsible for the production and sourcing of all meat, fish and poultry sold by the business. Michelle wrote and implemented Tesco's Livestock Codes of Practice (which cover welfare, food safety, traceability and environmental responsibility).

Under Michelle's guidance, Tesco implemented visionary and rigorous policies relating to livestock, such as the prohibition of genetically-modified feed, the banning of all non-stun slaughter methods, and the creation of "equivalent" standards of production in countries as far afield as Argentina, Brazil & Uruguay.

"Michelle's experience will lead us toward serious, sustainable solutions that are not currently part of industrial beef production in the US," noted JP Thieriot, Estancia's Chairman. "Mad Cow, Ecoli, superbugs, millions of tons of contaminated effluent, generally unhealthy beef - these are all industrial feedlot phenomena. These practices end up giving beef an unnecessary bad name, and generally perpetuate the unsustainable and maligned system we find with industrial beef producers. Cattle are probably the most promising source of clean 'big protein' out there. They're also the most important source of non-hydrocarbon derived fertilizer available. We have to go back to the integrated and eternally sustainable farm. It would be a three-for-one: clean, healthy food; less dependence on fossil fuels; more jobs in the countryside."

Waterman states, "I am delighted to be joining Estancia, a company which shares my beliefs and views on the way meat should be produced in the future and in the need for sharing information and reward throughout the supply chain, from farmer to consumer. My passion is the improvement of animal welfare, and allowing consumers to make informed choices about the consequences of their purchases. As the world's population grows, the way in which animals are farmed will come under growing scrutiny. I believe the systems Estancia seeks to promote and expand will be one of the only truly sustainable ways of consuming meat in the future."

Michelle currently lives 35 miles south of London, where she raises beef cattle, sheep, laying hens and agricultural crops.

About Estancia Beef

With ranches in the United States, Argentina, and Uruguay, Estancia Beef produces and provides the highest quality grass-fed beef available in the world. Estancia pledges to serve consumers the best tasting, healthiest, and most sustainable beef on the market; provide complete transparency from pasture to plate; and work closely with ranchers and every step of delivery.

www.estanciabeef.com

SOURCE: Estancia Beef



SRPR | Shev Rush Public Relations
Shev Rush
760-567-4321


Copyright Business Wire 2009


http://license.icopyright.net/user/viewContent.act?clipid=394185414&mode=cnc&tag=3.8218%3Ficx_id%3DNewsfeed103640194

MMPUs: The USDAs New Mobile Killing Machines

Just about every agricultural state has these things now; USDA Approved

Direct Marketers to Tap Potential of Mobile Meat Processing Units

October 2008 Newsletter

At the very time that demand for locally and responsibly raised meat is increasing, small farmers and ranchers – who are best suited to meet this need – are losing access to the meat packing operations that enable them to participate in this growing market.

Consolidation in the meat processing industry has resulted in fewer locations where animals can be processed under USDA inspection. For smaller producers, who lack the resources to transport small numbers of animals over long distances and who prefer to avoid the stress placed on the animals, this has created a major obstacle. The system makes it difficult to sell USDA-inspected meat in the communities where it is produced and directly to consumers.

Now a new group, the Nebraska Environmental Action Coalition, wants to find a way to provide the infrastructure to allow local farmers to market USDA-certified meat to local consumers. They met with farmers, representatives of the Nebraska Food Cooperative, the Center for Rural Affairs and with others familiar with the problem, and identified a USDA-inspected Mobile Meat-Processing Unit as an important step. Several of these units have been manufactured in Washington State and are currently in operation around the country.


A Mobile Meat Processing Unit allows “on-farm” slaughtering of large animals (beef, pork, lamb, goats, etc.). The carcasses would then be transported to facilities for further cutting and packaging to schools, grocers, restaurants, consumers or other institutions in want of locally-raised meats.


This unit may require the establishment of new local USDA-inspected cut and wrap facilities or the upgrading of existing facilities to meet USDA requirements. With this type of local processing, farmers and ranchers could choose how to finish their animals to meet customer demand and easily market meat to local establishments.


The project is in its early stages. If you would like more information, contact Diane Schroeder, co-director of the Nebraska Environmental Action Coalition at mrs@clarks.net or 402.641.3652. The Nebraska Food Cooperative collects and distributes meats, vegetables, dry goods and other rural small producer products grown and/or manufactured by Nebraska farmers and residents. These are delivered to customers throughout the state. Find out more at, www.nebraskafood.org.


Nebraska MMPUs; http://www.cfra.org/newsletter/2008/10/direct-marketers-tap-potential-mobile-meat-processing-units

HSUS Socks it To USDA Again / Cruelty Inspectors Sleeping on Job(s)

AGRICULTURE SECRETARY VILSACK RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS FROM THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES

WASHINGTON, Oct. 30, 2009 - In response to the events at Bushways Packing Inc. in Grand Isle, Vt., Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said:

"The deplorable scenes recorded in the video released by the Humane Society of the United States are unequivocally unacceptable. The callous behavior and attitudes displayed in the video clearly appear to be violations of USDA's humane handling regulations.

"USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is investigating these alleged violations of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act (HMSA). FSIS took immediate action with respect to its employee and the establishment upon preliminary verification of the incident. The Department fully supports the investigation of all those involved in these alleged violations of the HMSA. To this end, I have also called on our Inspector General to conduct a criminal investigation of the events in the video.

"FSIS has a rigorous program to train inspection personnel in verifying humane handling and slaughter at establishments. When an FSIS employee observes behaviors that are not in compliance with the HMSA, they are obligated to take immediate action. The behavior of FSIS and establishment personnel witnessed in this video is inexcusable."


http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal?contentidonly=true&contentid=2009/10/0540.xml

Small Fry Farmers Uncle Sam Wants Your Food

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the USDA will hold a series of small business conferences to launch the Food Commodity Contracting Opportunities for Rural America initiative.

The initiative is designed to enable rural economic growth by increasing small business contracting participation in rural areas of the country. USDA intends to help small farmer-owned cooperatives and small rural businesses to better compete for government and commercial contracts at the department.

“The Obama Administration is committed to renewing America’s promise in rural areas, and we hope small businesses and co-ops from throughout the country will grow and create jobs by doing business with the federal government,” Vilsack said. “This new food commodity contracting initiative is a great example of USDA working to help small businesses build capacity and creating new opportunities for producers throughout rural America.”

Each year USDA purchases more than $5.2 billion in goods and services essential to meeting the needs of its customers and the various missions of the Department. Approximately 50 percent of these dollars are spent on food commodities. USDA’s Office of Small Disadvantaged Business Utilization and USDA’s Rural Development, Farm Service Agency, and Agricultural Marketing Services are co-hosting the conferences and at least five additional events will be held in other regions of the country.

The first Food Commodity Contracting Opportunities for Rural America conference will take place on November 9 at Albany State University in Albany, Ga., 504 College Drive, Albany, Ga. Registration will take place between 8 and 8:45 a.m., with the conference running between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Registration for the conference is free. Space is limited so email or fax your name, company name, full address, telephone number and email address to: joe.ware@usda.gov or fax: 202-720-3001, or phone: 202-720-7380.

USDA officials expect small farmer-owned cooperatives and small rural businesses attending the conferences will:

Become aware of necessary capabilities and certifications to participate in Federal food commodity procurements;
Learn about USDA resources for business development and technical assistance;
Establish relationships with key USDA personnel who purchase food projects and who set and establish policy and standards; and
Learn how to increase and meet demand for their products and services within local food systems, USDA, and other Federal agencies.
Topics: cooperatives, economic development, Economy, Food Commodity Contracting Opportunities for Rural America initiative, Governance, Rural America,


http://thegovmonitor.com/world_news/united_states/usda-launches-food-commodity-contracting-opportunities-for-rural-america-initiative-13336.html

USDA Gives Ag-Air a Break; No Increase in Service Fees

Could this little perk to BigAg be a part of the plan to get some "free trade" going for export of US meat?

Air Transport Association Statement on USDA Withdrawal of Inspection Fee Increase
Mon Nov 2, 2009 1:06pm EST


Air Transport Association Statement on USDA Withdrawal of Inspection Fee
Increase



WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Air Transport Association of
America (ATA), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines,
today applauded a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to withdraw the recently published
interim rule to increase the fees charged for certain agricultural quarantine
and inspection services.

"We are pleased that the Department of Agriculture reassessed its plans to
implement a fee increase on international airline passengers and we hope that
any future consideration of such a change will be done in consultation with
the airlines, who question the need for another fee increase," said ATA
President and CEO James C. May.

The rule, which was scheduled to take effect on Nov. 1, 2009, would have
imposed a fee increase on international airline passengers and air carriers.
According to the USDA, this increase would have raised an additional $40
million annually from passengers and $7 million annually from air carriers --
above and beyond the $480 million annually currently collected from passengers
and carriers.

ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all
U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For additional industry information,
visit www.airlines.org.



SOURCE Air Transport Association

Elizabeth Merida, +1-202-626-4205 or David Castelveter, +1-202-626-4033, both
of Air Transport Association






http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS170152+02-Nov-2009+PRN20091102