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DECEMBER 2002 |
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North
American Wetlands Reauthorization Act Potential Health Threat
On December
2nd, President George W. Bush signed the North American Wetlands Reauthorization
Act into law. As a result of this legislation, the North American Wetlands Conservation
Act will be extended for another five years, which authorizes federal money to
be matched with donations from sportsmen, state wildlife agencies, conservationists
and landowners towards the creation of new wetlands.
In
letters to Secretary of the Interior Gail Norton and Secretary of Agriculture
Anne Veneman, National Master Kermit Richardson acknowledged the many benefits
provided by wetlands, such as water storage, water filtration and the protection
of species. However, Richardson further explained, the Grange also believes that
in light of the outbreak of West Nile Virus and other dangerous diseases carried
by mosquitoes, creating new wetlands at this time carries a great deal of unnecessary
risk to public health. Wetlands provide fertile breeding grounds for increasing
the mosquito population that is responsible for spreading the West Nile Virus.
Mosquitoes typically flock to moist areas, such as standing water, to lay their
eggs. The eggs become larva that remains in the water until the mosquitoes reach
adulthood. They make their homes in the surrounding grass, shrubbery and weeds,
infecting people and animals such as birds, horses and geese, in the surrounding
areas. Although
considered rare, the effects of West Nile Virus can be devastating. Symptoms can
include fever, head and body aches, disorientation, tremors and convulsions. At
its most severe, it can result in paralysis or even death. According to health
officials, the rapid increase in the mosquito populations corresponds with the
proliferation of wetlands. By encouraging the creation of new wetlands, Congress
is undermining mosquito control efforts. Richardson
explained that rural areas are especially vulnerable because they carry the larger
burden for habitat and wetlands creation. Farm workers that work mostly outdoors
are especially vulnerable because wetlands produce mosquitoes known as "day biters" that attack those working in orchards or fields. Even though there are precautions
one can take when working outdoors in vulnerable areas, they are insufficient.
With the alarming increase in the number of cases of West Nile Virus in the United
States, Richardson urged the two Secretaries to place a moratorium on the creation
of wetlands to safeguard against a possible epidemic and protect the health of
all Americans.
top National
Grange Lends its Support to Beef Industry Promotion
The National Grange
recently contacted the Cattlemen's Beef Board in order to make suggestions regarding
programs and practices that will increase consumer demand for beef in 2003 and
2004. Concerns are not only based on maintaining and increasing sales, but also
on protecting consumers from diseases and making them aware of the importance
of beef in a balanced diet. The
National Grange supports efforts to eradicate Brucellosis, Johne's disease, Hoof
and Mouth disease, Bovine Leukemia virus and other livestock diseases. In addition,
the National Grange supports blood testing to detect these diseases as well as
the continuing monitoring of our nations borders to protect against re-infestation.
Other suggestions included the increase of inspection regulations on all livestock,
meats, dairy products and all by-products being imported from other countries
to the United States for the protections of our animal industry. To
further ensure the safety and well being of consumers, the Grange supports funding
for consumer education. This will enable consumers to make informed decisions
regarding the purchase of beef and other agricultural products produced using
non-traditional production methods involving biotechnology or organic methods.
Beef promotion would also include providing information on the nutritional value
of beef along with including these products in school breakfast and lunch programs.
The National Grange will support legislation that will help to maintain and increase
the exporting of agricultural commodities, such as beef. Emphasis must be placed
on cash sales along with aggressive exportation of high value-added beef products.
Consideration must also be given to greater participation from the USDA to the
distribution of US beef products in all food aid programs. Although the Grange
will continue to support government credit programs, it also encourages maintaining
the present system of private enterprise and cooperatives in encouraging the export
market.
Included
in these suggestions are encouraging efforts by general farm and agricultural
commodity organizations to improve promotional activities for these products.
This provides an opportunity for closer cooperation between organizations such
as the National Grange, State and local Granges and the Beef Promotion program
to coordinate efforts to impart positive messages regarding the beef industry's
contributions to a balanced nutritional diet. This will also enhance outreach
programs that will provide funding for speakers on beef topics for things like
conventions, conferences and seminars sponsored by these organizations.
top EU
Beef Ban Violation of WTO Agreement
In recent coalition letters to the
Office of U.S. Trade Representative, the National Grange, along with 57 other
agricultural organizations, expressed concerns regarding the European Union's
(EU) import bans on American produced meat products produced with hormones. These
bans are based on fears surrounding the alleged health threats of the consumption
of beef produced with growth-promoting hormones. These
bans are a violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments regarding trade.
In an effort to ensure consumer safety, the WTO established the Agreement on the
Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (otherwise known as the "SPS" agreement). The SPS agreement allows countries to set their own standards regarding
food safety of imported products. However, the SPS agreement clearly states that
standards set must be based on scientific evidence. This
issue has come to the Grange's attention once again because the country of Romania,
in its decision to become part of the EU, has imposed a ban on US produced meat
products treated with growth hormones. Concerns raised regarding the health risks
associated with the consumption of hormone treated beef are based on opinion,
not scientific fact. Studies have been conducted by a number of sources over many
decades, with no conclusive evidence that hormone treated products are harmful
to consumer health. In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS) has researched the affects of growth-promoting hormones for over 40 years
and found no adverse reactions. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its
Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVN), along with other organizations, have also
come to the conclusion that there are no adverse effects associated with consuming
beef from hormone treated animals.
Because
of the EU's non-compliance with WTO obligations, many agricultural organizations
are experiencing trade disruptions. If the EU continues to uphold what they refer
to as a "precautionary principle" it would seriously undermine US agriculture
by closing off an export market that so many producers rely on. That is why beef
producers and other agricultural organizations must urge the WTO to take action
against the EU, because standards must be based on facts, not on fear.
top Legislative
Program Looks Back on a Successful 2002
In reflecting on past accomplishments,
2002 was a very successful year for the National Grange's Legislative Program.
In a continuing effort to make an impact on public policy issues affecting the
quality of life in rural America, the Grange has had many victories to look back
on. In the area
of telecommunications, the National Grange was instrumental in convincing the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to block the proposed $19.1 billion merger
between EchoStar Communications and Hughes Electronics that would have resulted
in a monopoly for satellite TV and Internet service for rural Americans. FCC Chairman
Michael Powell was in agreement when he stated: "The case against approving the
[merger] is particularly compelling with respect to residents of rural America.Those
Americans would be left with only one choice for their subscription video service,
now and in the foreseeable future." Another noteworthy accomplishment was the
passage of HR 1543, "The Broadband Freedom and Development Act" that will extend
high-speed Internet access to rural Americans. This
year, the Grange had an opportunity to see the "Farm Security and Rural Investment
Act of 2002" otherwise known as the "Farm Bill" passed. This legislation carries
with it many provisions that will provide economic safety for commercial farmers,
help develop effective conservation programs, create a national dairy market loss
payment program as well as provide funds for the development of telecommunications
technology.
Other
successes included petitioning the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to modify the
Nestle, Inc./Ralston Purina Co. merger that would have resulted in a pet food
monopoly in the U.S. The petition put forth by the National Grange provided information
for a study conducted by the University of Wisconsin Law School to study the impact
of corporate mergers on farmers. Many
legislative victories made on behalf of farmers and rural Americans were those
relating to quality of life issues. Both Houses of Congress passed legislation
that would promote the development of alternate sources of energy such as wind,
solar power and alternative fuels, such as Ethanol, to lessen our dependence on
foreign oil. The "Medicare Modernization and Prescription Drug Act of 2002" passed,
which would extend Medicare prescription drug coverage to seniors and expand funding
for rural health care. During the Legislative Fly-In, Grange representatives had
the opportunity to lend their signatures to an advertisement in "Roll Call" newspaper,
a publication that is widely read throughout Washington. The
National Grange also saw legislative progress, but not final passage on the "The
Emergency Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2002" and the "Sound Science
for Endangered Species Act of 2002," both of which will be instrumental in securing
the prosperity and productivity of America's farmers for many years to come.
top USDA
Forms New Homeland Security Council
Recently, the United States Department
of Agriculture (USDA) has established and formed a new Homeland Security Council
(HSC). The HSC was created within the Department to coordinate efforts between
all agencies and offices in regard to potential terrorist threats. The focus of
this division will be on issues such as food supply and production, maintenance
and development of USDA facilities and emergency preparedness. As
with any homeland security effort, the HSC will work towards protecting our borders.
It is imperative that the US be protected from foreign agricultural pests and
diseases entering the market. For starters, there has been an increase to the
agricultural quarantine inspection staff at borders, ports of entry and on farms
to ensure strong preparedness programs are in place. Also included is the purchasing
of remote sensing/diagnostic equipment to quickly and easily detect foreign pest
and animal borne diseases. In addition to border protection, farmers will be educated
in ways in which they can protect their operations. A
Foreign Animal Disease Training Seminar will be available to enable agricultural
workers to be prepared to deal with accidental or intentional introductions of
foreign animal diseases. The National Animal Health Reserve Corps will be established
to assist in such emergencies, along with the upgraded Extension Disaster Education
Network systems and the National Command System structure that is based on the
successful system developed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Border
protection, food safety and emergency preparedness are just some of the initiatives
being created within this new department, for additional information you can visit
the USDA Homeland Security Council on the web at www.usda.gov/homelandsecurity/homeland.html.
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HAPPY
HOLIDAYS |  |
Oh
behalf of everyone at the National Grange, we would like to wish you all a Merry
Christmas and a happy new year. This past year has had many successes that we
hope will carry on into the New Year. Most of all, we want to express our appreciation
to all our members throughout the country as well as those who have supported
us in our ongoing mission to ensure the continuing prosperity of American agriculture
and to work on behalf of rural Americans.
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