1/30/04

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1.  Take Action: Demand Revised CSP Rule 
2.  FDA Expands "Mad Cow" Regulations 
3.  Wildlife and Pesticides: Latest Developments       
4.  USDA to Review Biotech Crops

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1. TAKE ACTION: DEMAND REVISED CSP RULE 

In light of Congress' recent removal of the Conservation Security Program's funding cap, senators, conservationists, sustainable agriculture groups and organic advocates are urging Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman to promptly issue a revised proposed rule for the CSP. But she needs to hear your voice too! Tell her the current proposed rule is quite inconsistent with the uncapped program enacted into law.  Ask her to redesign the proposed rule to make the CSP available nationwide and to provide genuine incentives to farmers and ranchers willing to farm in ways that protect and enhance the environment.  Ask her to issue the revised rule promptly so there are no further delays in getting the CSP implemented on the ground. You can contact the Secretary by phone at 202-720-3631, by fax at 202-720-2166, or by e-mail.

2. FDA EXPANDS "MAD COW" REGULATIONS 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week announced expanded regulations to "protect Americans from exposure to the agent thought to cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy." One of the new rules forbids food, cosmetics and dietary supplements from containing mechanically separated beef, nervous system tissue from cattle over 30 months old, or any material from downer cattle or those that die before reaching the slaughterhouse. The other new rule tightens restrictions on ruminant feed, eliminating mammal blood, poultry litter and table scraps from the list of items that can legally be fed to cattle and other ruminants. The FDA also signaled its intent to step up inspections of rendering plants and feed mills. Get details on new and existing measures to prevent the spread of BSE.

3. WILDLIFE AND PESTICIDES: LATEST DEVELOPMENTS 

A federal judge last week released a ruling banning the aerial application of 38 pesticides within 100 yards of salmon streams in the Pacific Northwest. The ruling was the result of "a two-year court battle over the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) failure to adequately assess the impact pesticides may be having on threatened fish runs." The ruling also requires retail outlets in the region's cities to post "Salmon Hazard" next to seven of the most harmful chemicals. In related pesticide news, the EPA this week proposed new regulations that would allow it to approve new pesticides without consulting with the Fish and Wildlife Service or National Marine Fisheries Service about possible hazards to endangered species. According to the Associated Press, the agencies' justification for removing the consultation requirement is that for over a decade they have "pretty much ignore[d]" the requirement and "Now they want regulations to say they don't always have to do what they're already not doing." Get more information on pesticides and salmon.  

4. USDA TO REVIEW BIOTECH CROPS 

The USDA announced last week that it will revise its rules on genetically engineered crops. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will be drafting an Environmental Impact Assessment to determine if its existing regulations have been effective. According to the Washington Post, USDA is proposing "an expansion of the department's regulatory authority to include certain plants and insects not previously covered, as well as an overhaul of the system for granting permits to run field tests on genetically engineered crops. The new permit system would place organisms into different tiers based on potential risk, with varying degrees of regulation applying to each tier." The announcement was met with optimism by a representative of the biotechnology industry, who said the new regulations could "help people feel more comfortable" with biotech crops. Consumer and environmental groups were also pleased that the review was taking place, but "they reserve the right to criticize whatever reforms that process brings." 

Cultivating a vision where rural and urban communities join together
 to ensure abundant family farms, healthy critters, clean water and a wild Earth.  

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Rural Updates!
Scotty Johnson and Aimee Delach
National Rural Community Outreach Campaign
sjohnson@defenders.org