09/16/04

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1. Take Action: Comment on CSP!
2. Canadian Cattlemen Sue U.S. Under NAFTA
3. Aloha State Farmers Seek GMO Free Zones
4. World Wildlife Fund Lists Trade-Endangered Species

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1. TAKE ACTION: COMMENT ON CSP!
The USDA this week announced an extension of the comment period
on the interim final rule for the Conservation Security Program. 
What's more, the Senate Appropriations Committee has approved an
FY05 Agricultural Appropriations bill that includes uncapped,
mandatory funding for the Conservation Security Program. This means
that now is the perfect time to tell USDA to restore the CSP to the full,
national entitlement program it was intended to be! Please send a letter
to FarmBillRules@usda.gov and ask them to 1) Remove watershed
restrictions and offer the program nationwide; 2) Expand eligible
resource concerns to all types of conservation objectives; 3) Eliminate
the new "per acre" cap on contract payments; 4) Allow a full range of
conservation options to be eligible for enhancement payments; and 5)
Increase the cost-share rate for new practices. 

For more information, please see:
http://www.sustainableagriculture.net/cspActionSept04.php

2. CANADIAN CATTLEMEN SUE U.S. UNDER NAFTA
A small group called the Canadian Cattlemen for Fair Trade,
representing the owners and operators of five Alberta feedlots, filed a
notice of intent this week to submit claims under Chapter 11 of the
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The suit seeks
compensation for damages the feedlot operators claim they incurred
when the U.S. closed its border to Canadian beef following the
discovery last year of a BSE-infected cow in Alberta. Chapter 11 is a
clause in NAFTA that was intended to compensate companies if their
property in a foreign country is seized by the government. However, it
is increasingly being used by companies who feel that another
country's regulations including those that protect the environment
and health of their citizens are infringing on the company's ability to
sell their products there. The group is seeking $150 million in damages
from the United States, and hopes to attract other Canadian beef
producers into a class-action style lawsuit that would seek $500
million.

For more information, see:
http://www.fas.usda.gov/gainfiles/200408/146107199.doc

3. ALOHA STATE FARMERS SEEK GMO FREE ZONES 

Farmers, health professionals and concerned citizens in Hawaii are
joining states and counties from across the nation in calling for GMO
free zones. Opposition was galvanized last week by a report showing
independent laboratory testing results revealed widespread
contamination from a genetically altered papaya commercially planted
on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii and Kauai. Contamination was also
found in a stock of non-genetically engineered seeds being sold by the
University of Hawaii. In protest, dozens of outraged farmers,
consumers and backyard growers brought their contaminated papayas
back to the university to underscore their demand that UH provide a
plan for cleaning up papaya contamination. The coalition also called
for liability protection for local growers and the prevention of GMO
contamination of other Hawaiian commodity crops. Surprisingly, the
results showed that nearly 20,000 papaya seeds from across the Big
Island (Hawaii), 80% of which came from organic farms and the rest
from backyard gardens or wild trees, showed a contamination level of
50%.

http://www.ens-newswire.com/login/index.asp?q=/ens/sep2004/2004-
09-10-04.asp


4. WORLD WILDLIFE FUND LISTS TRADE-ENDANGERED
SPECIES
As a way to raise awareness about global extinction of species the
World Wildlife Fund has released its list of wildlife most often bought,
sold, smuggled, killed or captured for illegal global trade. Though
such lists usually focus on the best known endangered wildlife, this list
sought to elevate the plight of lesser known species equally at risk. 
"As well-known species have become overexploited for trade, more
obscure species are increasingly targeted," Ginette Hemley, a WWF
species specialist, said in the statement. "So lesser-known wildlife like
the humphead wrasse a fascinating coral reef fish whose fleshy lips
have spawned a dining trend join the magnificent tiger and Asian
elephant on the list of most wanted species in trade." The list comes a
month before the United Nations Convention on International Trade
agency meets in Bangkok to approve limits in trade in endangered
species. WWF is urging governments to agree to restrict trade in
obscure species, which have a high market value as culinary delicacies,
aphrodisiacs or pets. To view the list, go to:
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/5951658/

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