November 3, 2000

Judge bars TDA release of names

The Texas Farm Bureau and other farm groups obtained a temporary restraining order in a Waco federal court Oct. 23 to stop the release, by the Texas Department of Agriculture, of information pertaining to the use of predator control devices.

Federal Judge Walter Smith issued the order, which the Farm Bureau, the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association and the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association sought on behalf of those groups' members that might be affected by release of the information.

Animal activist groups have sought the release of names to the public of individuals who have used livestock protection collars and "M-44" devices in their operations.

The Texas Attorney General's office had issued an opinion that stated TDA had no authority to deny release of the names, requested by the Humane Society of the United States.

Smith had previously ruled on a similar case. The Animal Protection Institute requested the names from the USDA last October. Smith granted a preliminary injunction against the release of names, which is still in effect.

A hearing is scheduled for next year in that case.

"What we have here is a full court press from extremists to obtain what is clearly private information," said Donald Patman, president of the Texas Farm Bureau. "We have done and will continue to do all we can to protect the privacy of our members."

A hearing was scheduled Nov. 1 in Judge Smith's court to hear arguments in the case.

Details were not available at press time.

'Meaningful' trade reform needed

For America's farmers and ranchers to take advantage of an ever-growing world market, the World Trade Organization is going to have to carve out meaningful trade reform in the coming months, according to AFBF President Bob Stallman.

Stallman, who just returned from meetings with WTO and trade officials in Geneva, Switzerland, said many hurdles remain before America's food producers fully tap into new and increasingly wealthy world markets.

"Farm Bureau's primary goal is greater market access for U.S. farm products and to correct the tariff and subsidy disparities we now face," said Stallman during a recent news conference. "America's farmers and ranchers need fairer and freer trade. We also must make sure that agricultural trade is not ignored. That's our top concern."