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Texas Agriculture Archive

November 7, 2003

Quick passage of CARE Act urged

The American Farm Bureau Federation and American's Second Harvest are urging Congress to provide important hunger-relief assistance by enacting the CARE Act of 2003 (S. 476 and H.R. 7).

The legislation has been adopted by both chambers and is awaiting conference.

If enacted, the law would create incentives to allow all farmers and ranchers to deduct the costs and value of food donated to hunger-relief charities, regardless of how their farming business is organized. The CARE Act would increase the amount of food provided to needy people by an estimated 878 million new meals over the next 10 years.

"Supply is not the problem, but making sure that a share of the food we produce makes it to those less fortunate is a worthy goal of everyone involved in agriculture," said Farm Bureau member Chris Parker, co-owner of Parker Brothers Vegetable Farm in Maryland and Virginia and president of the Prince George's County Farm Bureau. "Allowing us to deduct the actual costs of our gleaning program and other charitable practices will enable us to get more food to hungry people who can't afford to feed their families."

"In the rural communities we serve, we depend on the generous support of farmers and ranchers," said Paul Hessler, executive director of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, in Elmira, New York. "The food donation tax change in this measure will result in a win-win for all parties—farmers, small businesses, charities, and most importantly, hungry Americans."

APHIS looks at biotech enforcement

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has established a dedicated compliance and enforcement unit within its Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) program.

"Compliance with APHIS' biotechnology regulations has been very high over the past 15 years, but with the ever-changing science, it is imperative that the safeguards in place to protect America's agriculture continue to evolve," said APHIS Administrator Bobby Acord. "The new compliance program will focus on violation prevention efforts, risk-based criteria for quality inspections and auditing, uniform enforcement and thorough documentation."

BRS is actively recruiting for the head of the compliance unit and the initial staff. This unit builds on efforts already underway in BRS to enhance compliance, which have included changes in regulations, permit conditions, inspections, and auditing procedures. BRS' new approach is consistent with how other APHIS programs monitor for and enforce regulations.

BRS, created in August 2002, is responsible for regulating the introduction (importation, interstate movement, and field release) of genetically engineered organisms such as plants, insects, microorganisms and be any other organism that is known to, or could be, a plant pest. Under the Plant Protection Act of 2000, failure to follow the conditions set forth by BRS can result in serious fines and even jail time.

Aflatoxin breakthrough!

USDA scientists have made a breakthrough in the search for aflatoxin control, welcome news for peanut and corn growers. Microbiologists have developed a biological product that drastically reduces aflatoxin in fields and on crops in storage.

Although U.S. crops are carefully screened for the toxin, controlling it is important, as consumption of it in the pure form can be deadly. Prolonged exposure to foods contaminated with lesser amounts of the toxin has been shown to cause liver cancer.

Heritage program applications due

Applications for the 2003 Family Land Heritage Program are due Nov. 15. The Texas Department of Agriculture Family Land Heritage Program recognizes farms and ranches that have been in continuous agricultural operation by the same family for 100 years or more. Since the program started in 1974, TDA has recognized 3,773 farms and ranches in 220 Texas counties.

Ag Commissioner Susan Combs commended past honorees and those who have submitted their applications for this year's program for their hard work in making Texas agriculture what it is today—the second largest industry in the state.

"Each family's agricultural legacy is an integral part of our state's agricultural success," Combs said. "This program recognizes each family's contribution to Texas agriculture and the county where their ancestors settled."

Farms and ranches that qualify will be honored during a ceremony in March in Austin. Each family's agricultural history also will be chronicled in a registry. Honorees can also obtain historic farm or ranch signage for their property.

Applications are available through county judges, TDA's Web site at www.agr.state.tx.us or by contacting Family Land Heritage Coordinator Melissa Blair at (512) 463-2631.

Notable Quotables

"Unfavorable weather conditions, uncertainties involved with international trade and record-high input costs have produced a turbulent and difficult time for agriculture. Changes in farm programs would be devastating to not only farmers and ranchers, but the rural economy as well."

American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman, in a letter to the full Senate asking legislators to fully fund the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002.