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September 21, 2001

Earlier this year, the World Trade Organization found that the U.S. safeguard measure that restricted imports of Australian and New Zealand lamb violated international rules.
Source: AFBF Executive News Watch, Sept. 4, 2001

Appeals Court rejects beef checkoff appeal
A federal appeals court has dismissed an attempt to force a referendum on the beef checkoff.

The Agriculture Department in January decided not to hold a referendum vote, saying proponents failed to submit enough valid petitions.
Source: AFBF Executive News Watch, Sept. 5, 2001

House expected to tackle farm bill
The House is scheduled to consider the 2002 farm bill this month. The measure, passed by the House Agriculture Committee on July 27, would replace the 1996 "Freedom to Farm" bill, which expires next year.

The House Agriculture com-mittee's version provides $73.5 billion farm bill over 10 years. Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wisc.) is expected to offer an amendment that would divert some commodity funding to conservation programs.

While the House is debating its farm bill, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman in September is expected to testify before the Senate Agriculture Committee regarding the next major farm policy move.

Sparks Companies, Inc. has reported that Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and ranking member Sen. Dick Lugar (R-Ind.) are expected to release during September the panel's "core principles." The Senate Agriculture Committee's version will likely focus on conservation, nutrition, rural development and energy.
Source: AFBF Executive News Watch, Sept. 4, 2001

'Wicked Wendy': PETA claims another victory
After claiming success in getting McDonald's and Burger King restaurants to meet specific animal welfare standards, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) officially called off its "Wicked Wendy's" campaign when it announced the fast food chain also had agreed to follow the same standards. The campaign involved ads, protests and demonstrations.

"There's no escaping the fact that every burger and chicken sandwich means that animals were hurt and killed, but the Big Three—Wendy's, McDonald's and Burger King—have taken a big bite out of the worst cruelties," said PETA President Ingrid New kirk. "Consumers don't want blatant animal abuse between the buns."
Source: AFBF Executive News Watch, Sept. 7, 2001

U.S. consumers increase dependence on foreign food
The import share of U.S. food consumption is the portion of food consumed domestically that is imported from foreign countries. The remaining portion of food consumed is produced in the United States.

Over the past two decades, U.S. consumers have gradually increased their dependence on imported foods. From a relatively low level 20 years ago, import shares of most major foods that are largely produced in the United States have increased through the 1990s.

Most notable among these imports are fish and shellfish, fresh fruits, tree nuts, wine, fresh vegetables, vegetable oils, grains, malt beverages, and confectionery products. Nevertheless, the average import share of overall U.S. food consumption remains below 10 percent, with animal products at 4.5 percent and crops and products at 12 percent.
Source: U.S. Agricultural Trade Update, June 27, 2001

Direct marketing offers opportunities
Direct marketing of agricultural products to consumers continues to grow in the United States, providing a potential opportunity for small and medium-size producers to increase their profits.

Direct market data collected for the 1992 and 1997 Censuses of Agriculture showed that during this five-year period, the number of farms involved in direct marketing increased 7.8 percent to 93,140 farms. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) of USDA continues to support these efforts and has recently published a new edition of "Farmer Direct Marketing Bibliography."
Source: Doane's Management Planner, Aug. 31, 2001

USDA to use biofuels in fleet
The Agriculture Department has announced that USDA agencies will use biodiesel and ethanol fuels in their fleet vehicles where practicable and reasonable in cost.

All USDA-maintained gasoline fueling facilities will buy and use ethanol-blended fuels containing at least 10 percent domestically produced ethanol to the extent practicable, where the fuel is readily available and reasonably priced compared with unleaded gasoline.
Source: AFBF Executive Newswatch, Aug. 8, 2001

Brazil: No Roundup Ready soybeans
Brazil won't allow Roundup Ready soybeans to be planted commercially for 2002 harvest.

In July, Brazil's agriculture minister had indicated that his agency would allow planting of the genetically modified soybeans for the upcoming crop year. Now, however, the decision will instead rest with Brazil's legal system.

According to a Dow Jones news report, Brazil's biosafety commission will request more information from Monsanto on the genetic makeup of Roundup Ready soybeans as a result of recent reports regarding an unidentified DNA sequence in the product. Sources quoted by Dow Jones believe Brazil will ultimately commercialize the soybeans.
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report, Sept. 7, 2001