News Update

News Update
May 14, 2008

Progress on Farm Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives was expected to vote on a conference committee version of the Farm Bill sometime today. Many Farm Bill backers say the legislation could pass the House with flying colors and plenty of votes, and few expect any problems in the Senate. There remains a healthy amount of opposition, however, among federal officials and the Administration.

President Bush released a statement Tuesday saying he would veto the approximately $300-billion bill if it passes. The House and Senate could potentially override the veto; however, it would be only the second time legislators would do so during President Bush’s tenure.

S. Korea Delays U.S. Beef Imports

South Korean lawmakers are delaying resumption of U.S. beef imports due to a public outcry concerning the safety of U.S. beef imports, Reuters reports.

Although the country was scheduled to begin accepting U.S. beef tomorrow, Agriculture Minister Chung Woon-chun asked South Korean legislators for another week to 10 days.

According to Reuters, the level of public anger has seemingly surprised the South Korean government, which negotiated a deal last month to gradually open its borders to U.S. beef. U.S. lawmakers leveraged a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to get the deal — an apparently significant sticking point to the public.

Last week, South Korea’s prime minister went on national television and apologized, saying he would re-impose the ban if the U.S. had another case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), according to Reuters.

It’s Not Too Late to be Counted in the 2007 Ag Census

Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer May 12 reminded farmers and ranchers that they should still plan to respond to the 2007 Census of Agriculture either by Internet or postal mail.

“More than two million responses have already been received,” Schafer said. “I sincerely thank those who have fulfilled their responsibility by completing and returning their census forms. However, a good number of producers have not been heard from, so I’m encouraging everyone to help make this the most accurate Census of Agriculture on record.”

Conducted every five years, the Census of Agriculture is the only source of consistent and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation. That information is used by town planners, policy makers, agribusinesses and others to make important growth-generating decisions that will shape rural communities for future generations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) already sent a second reminder mailing. Representatives from NASS’ 46 field offices are now beginning to call and visit producers who have not responded.

“We need to hear from everyone, no matter how big or small their operation is, and no matter what they farm, where they farm or how they farm. As we say, it’s your voice, your future and your responsibility,” Schafer said. Whether or not they are actively engaged in agricultural activity, everyone who received a Census of Agriculture form is required by law to respond. Forms can be returned by mail or submitted online. For more information, or for assistance with completing the 2007 Census of Agriculture, call toll-free 1-888-424-7828 or visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.

— Release provided by USDA.

USDA Designates 27 Bio-based Items for Federal Procurement

Agriculture Chief Economist Joseph Glauber announced today that 27 new groupings of bio-based products have been designated for procurement preference under the BioPreferred Program.

This means that an additional 2,469 bio-based products from 562 companies may now qualify for procurement preference by federal agencies and their contractors. Including products qualified in the first designation, there are now a total of 2,741 products from 659 companies that may qualify for preferred procurement under the BioPreferred Program.

“The BioPreferred Program has now reached a critical mass with these new products qualified for preferred procurement,” Glauber said. “I expect a marked increase in Federal purchases of qualifying bio-based products by Federal agencies and their contractors. And, even more designations of bio-based products are in process.”

Manufacturers and vendors of bio-based products that fall under the groupings designated by the final rule making are encouraged to post information about their bio-based products on the BioPreferred electronic catalog located at http://www.biopreferred.gov/Catalog.aspx. Federal agencies are invited to go to the same Web site to view product and contact information on qualified bio-based products.

— Release provided by USDA.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.