Radanovich: humans over smelt

From the office of Rep. George Radanovich:


Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) today testified at the House Natural Resources Committee hearing entitled, “The California Drought: Actions by Federal and State agencies to address impacts on lands, fisheries, and water users.” The following are excerpts from Rep. Radanovich’s testimony. To read entire text of his speech, click here
“The real focus of this hearing should be the human impact this drought is having on the farmers, communities and way of life in the San Joaquin Valley. Water users, farmers, and cities in California are facing unprecedented water shortages and the devastating impacts are only growing. Simply put--entire towns are withering away.
“Because the 37,000 people loosing their jobs cannot be here to represent themselves, my California colleagues and I have to deliver their cries for help.
“I have with me a stack of hundreds of letters I’ve received from constituents detailing their cry for help, the impact this drought is having on their lives, and support to pass my bill, H.R. 856, the California Drought Alleviation Act, which would allow the Delta pumps to resume pumping vital water to the south.
“The federal government must stop passing laws and developing regulations that place the value of species above the value of people. The statements we make, through laws and regulations must convey the message that the lives of our constituents, their children and their livelihoods are more valuable than a 3 inch economically inconsequential fish.
“The draconian regulations that turn simple fish into the worshipful gods of the environmental community and ignore the inalienable rights of people have led us to conclude that Government does not work for us any more—we need the Government to protect the safety and happiness of people, not fish.”

PBH: families cutting back on fruits and veggies

From the inbox, news of a significant drop in consumption of fruits and veggies from PBH. Here is a taste of the release....more coming from Pamela R. of The Packer this afternoon:

As families cut back on purchases they are also cutting back on fruits and vegetables. An annual survey of Moms, conducted by Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH), the nonprofit entity behind the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters® national public health initiative, has found that although 60 percent of Moms continue to believe that their families eat too few fruits and vegetables, Moms are including less of them in meals and snacks. ........

DeLauro and Vilsack

From the office of Rep. Rosa DeLauro today:


Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), chairwoman of the House Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following opening statement during a subcommittee hearing at which Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testified. DeLauro focused on the need to reform the agency to ensure it is fulfilling its mission and meeting the American people’s needs, including strengthening food safety, improving nutrition programs, renewing attention on rural America, and investing in energy reform.

Below is the text of DeLauro’s opening statement (as prepared for delivery).

The committee is called to order. Thank you and let me welcome everyone this morning, especially our witness Secretary Tom Vilsack.

I know this is your first opportunity to testify before Congress since being sworn in and I want to thank you for taking the time to be with us this morning, even as you continue to settle in and staff up.

Secretary Vilsack, I know you bring a lifetime of service and an impressive record on agricultural and nutrition issues to your new role. As Governor, you achieved a lot for family farmers, livestock producers and rural communities. Fighting hunger took center stage during your administration and you made rural development a real priority with the Iowa Values Fund. I know you are committed to protecting public health and building the framework for growth in small towns and communities across America. And I look forward to working with you and the many dedicated men and women at the USDA to make good on that commitment.

Of course, we also know that you are coming into a department desperate for reform. In recent years, the department has struggled to fulfill its own mission and meet the needs of the American people. Today, we have an opportunity to make the department a powerful force for good.

I believe we made an important first step by making critical investments with the Recovery package – $20.9 billion in nutrition programs and $1.2 billion for essential community facilities in rural areas such as health care, fire, rescue and public safety services, $3 billion for guaranteed loans to rural businesses and $340 million for watershed and flood prevention activities that are ready to begin work this year.

But we must go further, build on these resources, and commit to reforming the department on every front.

First, nutrition. This subcommittee has already held an oversight hearing this year on the reach and impact of USDA’s nutrition programs – the school lunch program in particular. And I know you and the president are committed to confronting childhood obesity. As we implement the Farm Bill and begin work on Childhood Nutrition Reauthorization, we have a real opportunity to make concrete improvements in the health and lives of America’s children.

I believe USDA should work to reduce barriers and increase resources for more direct connections between the demand and supply on the part of school food services and family farmers. More broadly, the department also has the opportunity to immediately improve resources to rural communities, open markets to local farmers and reduce health disparities in the process.

Second, food safety. Americans should be able to assume that the food they serve their children is safe to eat. Unfortunately – from peanuts to ground beef to peppers to imported seafood – and just yesterday, pistachios – we have seen one devastating case of widespread food borne illness after the next. President Obama has already made it clear: this is not acceptable. And I hope that his proposed Food Safety Working Group can begin to bring the serious reform we need.

I have long been concerned about USDA’s dual mission of promoting the products it is supposed to regulate. I believe this inherent conflict of interest at the agency has contributed to some of the food safety problems we have encountered over the years.

We must work to modernize the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in a way that emphasizes prevention not just reaction – and recognizes that as long as the threats from food borne pathogens are constantly evolving so too must are food safety system. To stay ahead, we must continue to prioritize certain key principles: categorizing facilities based on risk, establishing performance standards for food-borne pathogens, frequency of inspections, and reporting requirements for companies.

Third, Rural Development. For too long, the importance of the nonagricultural economy in rural communities has not been reflected in USDA priorities. Today, even farmers are not earning their primary living from agriculture; 80 percent of farm household income is derived off the farm. The department needs to rethink its mission and its priorities, giving just as much attention to rural development as it does production agriculture.

That means working to reach more vulnerable families and workers in rural areas, including small farmers, low-resource farmers and minority farmers and landowners. Also coordinating with Health and Human Services, Commerce, and Transportation. And investing in rural infrastructure including Broadband -- not only to connect rural areas to the global community, but also to generate growth in rural America. I know this is a priority for you and I will be there fighting for it, right by your side.

Finally, Energy. Secretary Vilsack, I know you will continue working to ensure agriculture is an integral part of our push to make renewable energy affordable and accessible. On this critical issue we must prioritize research and conservation to find the right balance between our need to move to energy independence and minimizing the impact on the environment. While at the same time, we need to closely monitor the impact of increased mandates for biofuels on the environment and food prices.

Each of these issues – Nutrition, Food Safety, Rural Development, Energy – they are a priority for this subcommittee – and they are ripe for reform within the US Department of Agriculture.

Secretary Vilsack I have confidence in your leadership of the department and your ability to bring the change it needs. I am glad we have you at the helm and I look forward to collaborating with you in the months and years ahead.

This is our opportunity to get the big things right for the American people – to make real changes that will affect their health and safety their quality of life and economic livelihood.

With that, I will ask Ranking Member Mr. Kingston if he would like to make an opening statement.

FDA and pistachios: Salmonella again?

From the FDA, this report about pistachios. Particularly note this sentence:

FDA is working closely with the pistachio industry and recommends that consumers avoid eating pistachio products until further information is available about the scope of affected products

From the release:

The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all distribution of processed pistachios and will issue a voluntary recall involving approximately 1 million pounds of its products. Because the pistachios were used as ingredients in a variety of foods, it is likely this recall will impact many products. In addition, the investigation at the company is ongoing and may lead to additional pistachio product recalls.
The contamination involves multiple strains of Salmonella. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Thus far, several illnesses have been reported by consumers that may be associated with the pistachios. It is not yet known whether any of the Salmonella strains found in the pistachio products are linked to an outbreak. The FDA is conducting genetic testing of the samples to pursue all links.
FDA is working closely with the pistachio industry and recommends that consumers avoid eating pistachio products until further information is available about the scope of affected products.
FDA will provide a searchable database of affected products at www.fda.gov and will continue to update the public.
FDA first learned of the problem on March 24, when it was informed by Kraft Foods that its Back To Nature Trail Mix was found to be contaminated with Salmonella. Kraft had identified the source of the contamination to be pistachios from Setton and conducted a recall.

Ag Prices - Up in March

From the USDA Ag Prices Report:

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers inMarch, at 126 percent, based on 1990-92=100, was unchanged from February.The Crop Index is up 1 point (0.7 percent) but the Livestock Index decreased1 point (0.9 percent). Producers received higher prices for corn, lettuce,snap beans, and tomatoes and lower prices for broilers, soybeans,strawberries, and celery. In addition to prices, the overall index is alsoaffected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commoditiesproducers sell. Increased monthly marketings of strawberries, broilers,soybeans, and milk offset decreased marketings of cattle, corn, cotton, andoranges.
The preliminary All Farm Products Index is down 20 points (14 percent) fromMarch 2008. The Food Commodities Index, at 121, decreased 1 point(0.8 percent) from last month and decreased 23 points (16 percent) fromMarch 2008.


Fruits & Nuts: The March index, at 124, is up 2.5 percent from February but16 percent lower than a year ago. The increase in marketings of strawberriesmore than offset price decreases for strawberries, apples, oranges, andgrapefruit.
Commercial Vegetables: The March index, at 146, is up 7.4 percent from lastmonth and 9.0 percent above March 2008. Price increases during March forlettuce, snap beans, tomatoes, and sweet corn more than offset price declinesfor celery, onions, and broccoli.
Potatoes & Dry Beans: The March index, at 155, is up 1.3 percent from lastmonth and 5.4 percent above March 2008. The all potato price, at $9.07 percwt, is up 20 cents from February and 70 cents from last March. The all drybean price, at $28.80 per cwt, is down $1.30 from the previous month and$3.40 below March 2008.